Iron Maiden’s “The Number of the Beast” stands as a cornerstone in heavy metal history. Released in 1982 as the band’s seventh single, it stirred controversy in the United States due to its religious themes but nonetheless became a fan favorite, featuring prominently in their concert tours.
Inspired by a nightmare after watching “Damien: Omen II” and Robert Burns’ poem “Tam o’ Shanter”, songwriter Steve Harris crafted the iconic track. Actor Barry Clayton’s spoken word passage, quoting Revelation 12:12 and 13:18, adds a chilling layer to the song’s atmosphere.
The single, adorned with Riggs’ Satan depiction, caused a stir upon release, particularly with its red vinyl edition. “Remember Tomorrow” recorded live during the Killer World Tour, marked the last single with drummer Clive Burr.
“The Number of the Beast” remains a metal anthem, ranking high on VH1’s and Martin Popoff’s lists of greatest metal songs. Covered by various artists and featured in films and video games, its influence extends far beyond music.
However, the song also courted controversy, with accusations of Satanism leading to album burnings and protests during Iron Maiden’s 1982 tour. Drummer McBrain’s cryptic message in “Still Life” addressed these accusations, dismissing them as ignorance.
Despite its enduring popularity, the band’s music video for the song was edited due to viewer complaints, highlighting the polarizing impact of Iron Maiden’s work in the realm of heavy metal.
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