The project features a slight change in the track listing from its original release, replacing “Gangland” with “Total Eclipse.”
“On this vinyl release we get the chance to put 'Total Eclipse' in its rightful spot on the album for the first time,” says Steve Harris. “The reason it didn’t make it in the first place was that it was all a mad rush when we were finishing the record and we had to get the 'Run to the Hills' single out before the tour and we basically had to pick a B-side, and it was between 'Gangland' and 'Total Eclipse' and we just picked the wrong one, really! I think 'Total Eclipse' is a stronger song and the album would have been stronger if it had been on there.”
The 40th anniversary reissue also includes “Beast Over Hammersmith” - available now officially for the very first time on vinyl - featuring a live concert from March 1982’s now legendary Hammersmith Odeon London show from the Beast On The Road World Tour. Recorded only days before the release of “The Number Of The Beast” album, it gave fans a chance to hear the new material for the very first time.
The UK band’s third studio record marked their first with former Samson singer Bruce Dickinson, who joined the lineup after the 1981 firing of frontman Paul Di’Anno.
“The Number Of The Beast” delivered Iron Maiden their commercial breakthrough, earning gold and platinum records in multiple countries and the band’s first UK No. 1 album; the singles “Run To The Hills” and the title track led to international airplay at a time when the newly-launched MTV provided an outlet for the group’s iconic heavy metal imagery in a series of music videos to promote the album.
Iron Maiden recently completed The Legacy of The Beast Tour, and will launch The Future Past Tour in Europe next June.
Get your copy of the 40th anniversary vinyl reissue here.
See also:
Iron Maiden thank fans for support of The Legacy of The Beast Tour
Iron Maiden announce 2023 European tour
Iron Maiden expand The Number Of The Beast for 40th anniversary vinyl reissue
Iron Maiden release Stratego live video
Search Iron Maiden at hennemusic
