The Number of the Beast: 30th Anniversary

Last week, Iron Maiden's iconic album Number of the The Beast celebrated 30 years since its release.  If you never heard the album, you probably shouldn't be reading this.  Or, better yet, go and BUY the album and listen to it!

This is my review of one of the albums that define heavy metal, Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast.

1. Invaders - The first time you hear Bruce Dickinson's voice on an Iron Maiden album.  Oh how truly great it is.  Not that I think Paul DiAnno was terrible, but he couldn't do what Bruce can do.  This track is probably the worst on the whole album.  I'm pretty sure they have never even played this song live.  It is a great start to an album.  Fast paced, great riff, and a catch chorus.  It's lack of longevity in the hearts and minds of the band and fans alike have taken it down a notch.

2. Children of the Damned - The ballad.  HAHAHA, no it's not.  The song is lyrically very graphic.  The song is based on the films Village of the Damned and Children of the Damned, which were in turn based on the John Wyndham album The Midwich Cuckoos.  Bruce Dickinson recently stated it was also based on Black Sabbath's Children of the Sea.  The song is slower paced than Invaders, but still has great guitar work, and spectacular lyrics.  Bruce's delivery throughout this song defines why he was needed in Iron Maiden.

3. The Prisoner - One of my top-5 favorite Maiden songs, this song is based on the famous BBC television show of the same name.  Steve Harris' bass playing stands out on this track.  Many people praise Maiden for their use of dual guitars, but it should always be noted that Steve Harris plays bass like a guitar, adding a third element to the leads while still helping drive the rhythm.  Opening the track with a clip from the television show adds to the story and mystique of the song.  The solo is fantastic and the chorus is infectious.

4. 22 Acacia Avenue - The continuing story of Charlotte the Harlot, the second in the series of songs about her.  Story time:  I once listened to this album and the cd was scratched and somehow it caused a skip, like listening to a record, except it played about 3 minutes of the song endlessly, and seemlessly.  The song played for about 25 minutes without anyone noticing how long it was on, nor caring about its endless cycle.  When you can listen to one song like that, it means it's damn good!

5. The Number of the Beast - The title track.  The reading of Revelations 12:12 and 13:18 to lead off the song, and the chorus of "SIX, SIX SIX!  The number of the beast!" led many to believe the band were satanic.  The song was in fact caused by a nightmare that Steve Harris had after watching Damian: Omen II.  Furthermore, if any religious zealot were to listen to the last verse "This can't go on/I must inform the law" they would know that the main character is trying to resist, but "can't avoid their eyes."  The song is played by the band at almost every show they play to this very day and has been covered many times by many bands.

6.  Run to the Hills - The hit.  This song is known by casual fans of metal.  It was the first single off the album and hit 7 on the UK charts.  The song chorus is impossible to not sing along with.  The solo, played by Dave Murray, is blazing, and I've known several guitarists try (and fail) at it.  Bruce's screams after the solo and to close out the song give value to his nickname The Human Air-Raid Siren.  The video is played constantly on VH1 Classic.  It is one of the best known metal songs of its era, or any era for that matter.

7. Gangland - The song that should not be.  When deciding what to put on the album, Gangland and Total Eclipse were on the chopping block.  One would make the album, the other would be the B-side to Run to the Hills.  Steve Harris has said on many interviews that the wrong choice was made as Total Eclipse was the B-side.  He also stated that Invaders wasn't good enough for the album, but they didn't have anything else.  Personally, I don't think the song is bad.  It is out of place on the album, but it isn't by any means a bad song.  I think if it were on the second half of Piece of Mind it would have fit better, but in this spot, it doesn't make sense.  It's like that Divas match the WWE throws between the WWE and World title matches at a PPV: even if the match is good, you still treat it like a bathroom break.  Total Eclipse has been on several re-releases of the album, but I'm only reviewing the original.

8.  Hallowed be thy Name - I think I need a new pair of underwear.  More than the title track or Run to the Hills, Hallowed is played at literally every live show Maiden plays.  It is the most celebrated of any Maiden epic, including (though maybe tied with) Fear of the Dark.  With a guitar riff found other Maiden songs, and even a Papa Roach song, detailed lyrics that tell a complete story, powerful and emoted vocals, a solo that blows the mind, drumming that sets a standard, and bass playing that adds a third guitar element, this song is outright amazing.  It is one of those perfect songs that you can listen to over and over and never find a flaw, but always hear something new.  One of those songs that you go to see a band live for.  Written, performed, and delivered perfectly.  The closing to the song, and the album, gives the feel of the curtains closing to a great performance.  I will say that I almost like listening to live performances better because it adds the audience going crazy that I almost hear in my mind, but even the studio recording is the perfect metal song.

Overall, I rate this album a 93

Track-By Track rating:

As usual, I base my album rating on an individual track-by-track 1-10 rating system

Invaders.....................................7.5

Children of the Damned............10

The Prisoner...............................10

22 Acacia Avenue......................9

The Number of the Beast...........10

Run to the Hills...........................10

Gangland....................................7.5

Hallowed be thy Name...............10

TOTAL.......................................74/80 = 93%

Album Review

Adrenaline Mob - Omertá

            In my first album review here, I would like to dissect Omertá, the "new" album from Russell Allen and Mike Portnoy's lovechild Adrenaline Mob.  I put new in quotes because four of the album's 11 tracks can be found on last year's self-titled EP.  That issue not withstanding, the album as a whole is a solid heavy metal band from two of Prog's most famous names.

            If you pick up this album expecting The Rootof All Evil or The Odyssey, just put it right down and walk away.  This album is much heavier and riff-driven than Dream Theater or Symphony X.  Remember, this is coming from that guy that named his radio show The Odyssey and uses the opening note from Root in his opener and closer.

            The album is very balanced by greatness and mediocrity.  The best songs on the album are Undaunted, Hit the Wall, and Believe Me.  The problem there is that the later two songs are featured on last year's EP, so one of the seven new songs stands head and shoulders above the rest.

            The seventh track on the CD is a cover of a 1993 Duran Duran song called Come Undone.  Having been 10 when the original version came out, and having heard it basically everywhere in the spring and summer of 1993, I hate to admit the song is part of my childhood and sparks some kind of nostalgia.  The Adrenaline Mob cover does the original justice while adding the heavy metal edge that makes this album good.  Lzzy Hale from Halestorm is also featured on the track.

            Some of the tracks are spoiled by lackluster, unoriginal lyrics.  The biggest culprit of this is Feelin' Me.  The riffs are great, and the vocal melody is aggressive, but the lyrics aren't what I want to hear from this band.  While I know I said not to expect anything DT or SymphX like, Feelin' Me is just lyrically dreadful.  I expect those lyrics from a 16 year old in his first band.  As bad as Feelin' Me is lyrically, All on the Line is good.  It's one of two ballads of the album, but don't let that deter you.  All on the Line still features some great guitar work from Mike Orlando and a solo that shreds as well as a chorus that can be very infectious.  The second ballad is Angel Sky, and it's not terrible, but doesn't stick like a ballad should. 

            My least favorite track on the album was also my least favorite track from last year's EP, Psychosane.  The song just don't do much for me.  The verse riffs are very Zakk Wylde-esq, which I imagine was inspired by Rich Ward's presence in the band. 

            The longest song on the album is Hit the Wall, which, as mentioned earlier, was on the 2011 EP.  The next longest is the Duran Duran cover Come Undone.  The album's first single Undaunted is the longest new song at 4:44.

            The original EP featured Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo, Fozzy) and Paul DiLeo (Fozzy), but neither are credited on Omertá.  Mike Orlando (Tred, Sonic Stomp) plays guitar and bass on the album.  He is an incredibly talented guitar and can seriously shred.  He plays Charvel guitars, which I have a soft spot for.  John Moyer (ex-The Union Underground, Distubed) joined after the album was completed.  I know Disturbed gets crapped on for being Nu-Metal (and nu-Metal does disserve to be crapped on) but Moyer can play a mean bass. 

            Overall, I rate this album a 70.  It's above average, but not outstanding. 

Track-By-Track ratings

1 - Undaunted                 9

2 - Psychosane               5         

3 - Indifferent                  6

4 - All on the Line           6

5 - Hit the Wall               9

6 - Feelin' Me                 4

7 - Come Undone           7.5

8 - Believe Me                9

9 - Down to the Floor     7.5

10 - Angel Sky               6.5

11 - Freight Train           7.5

TOTAL                          77

77/110 = 70

Mike Portnoy's Decision Was a Nightmare (Cinema)

            Ok, I get it.   The way Mike Portnoy's departure from Dream Theater was launched into the public eye was torture.  Does this mean he needs to be raked across the coals by fans and critics alike?  No, it does not. 

            After 25 years of work, most people retire.  He wanted to put his work on hold for hobbies.  Avenged Sevenfold was a hobby for him.  He had plenty of other hobbies while in Dream Theater:  Yellow Matter Custard, Transatlantic, Liquid Tension Experiment, Neal Morse, not to mention overseeing all of the production of every CD and DVD ever put out by Dream Theater.  The man literally tried to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and felt the biggest weight needed a break.

            We all know the story.  He asked the other guys in DT for a break.  The length of the break was undefined.  The other band members were ready for their next album (their sixth in nine years) and a tour (their eleventh in those same nine years).  Portnoy quit.  He toured with Avenged Sevenfold.  After the tour, as a result of serious fan and media backlash, he asked to rejoin DT, only to be told no.  The new DT album was already in the works, and they were moving on without Portnoy.

            As it turns out, A Dramatic Turn of Events received some critical acclaim, and the single On The Backs of Angels received Dream Theater's first Grammy nomination.  Mike Mangini has been terrific behind the kit for Dream Theater, and for the first time in a long time, the band feels fresh.  This is in no way a knock on Portnoy, as his presence was undoubtedly the backbone of DT for many years.  This is simply an observation.

            Meanwhile, Portnoy began working on Adrenaline Mob, his new band with Sir Russell Allen and Mike Orlando.  He also recorded an album with Neal Morse under the band name Flying Colors.  He has kept himself quite busy.

            I heard (and edited for air) an interview done with Fingers of Long Island's WBAB.  Fingers has known Portnoy since Dream Theater was Majesty, and Fingers pulled no punches in the interview.  He asked about the departure; Mike reiterated the same sentiments he has made since September 8, 2010.  He loved Dream Theater, but he needed this.  Fingers asked about the Grammy nomination; Portnoy said he was happy for them, but winning a Grammy was never a goal of his while in Dream Theater. 

            Mike Portnoy has repeatedly poured his heart and soul into the work he puts into his music.  His blood, sweat, and tears were put into creating a musical legacy that made Dream Theater the name among names in Progressive Rock and Progressive Metal.  He is the second youngest drummer to be voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame behind Neil Peart.  Over 25 years in the music business and he is still making great songs and playing some of the best drums in the world.  If you haven't heard Adrenaline Mob, I highly recommend you check them out.

            As a Dream Theater fan, I do wish that things had either been worked out, or done in a private manner.  But this is the information age, and between Facebook, Twitter, Blabbermouth, and countless other sources of other people's information, there is no more "behind closed doors" when you're famous.  Mike Portnoy left Dream Theater.  We, as fans, need to get over it.  Both sides have released some amazing stuff since September 8, 2010.  Can we all just be fans and enjoy the music?