IRON MAIDEN NUMBER OF THE BEAST 1st UK PRESS MiNt ArChIvE PSYCH PROG ROCK METAL

	£		201
	$		240

[zipedit]Iron Maiden 'The Number Of The Beast'
1st UK Pressing Cat No EMC 34001 1982
Near Mint Vinyl! Near Mint Audio! Only One Play Ever! Looks Totally Unplayed In My Opinion!
Master Pressers Signature Hand Etched On Both Sides! (Only 1st UK Press!
Near Mint Insert Lyric Record Sleeve!
Near Mint 1st Issue 1st Press Cover! (No Bar Code)
Original Store Purchase date 24-04-82 !
An Archive Copy Final Upgrade! 33 Years Like This!




Another from my personal collection of over 50,000 UK albums that I have accumulated over a period of more than 45 years! Here is an original 1st UK pressing of Iron Maidon The Number Of The Beast album 1982! On the inside of the cover this still has the original little store and date sticker dated 24-04-82!
The vinyl was only ever played one time when purchased from new to record to tape and then stored iin a case with the vinyl separated from the cover for protection. This is how I have always stored my records! This is an archive copy Looks and sounds as a new vinyl would in my opinion! Very very rare to find like this! The audio quality is as good as it gets in my opinion! Absolutely stunning crystal clear and vibrant throughout without any interference at all on my systems! You could not hope for a better sounding copy in my personal opinion! No clicks no pops no distortion absolutely stunning Near as Mint Audio Archive! The original 1st issue record sleeve and cover are also in exceptional condition through out just look at my photos!

Hear the complete album in the player below! (Actual recording from the vinyl)



The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in March 1982. It saw the debut of vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and the final appearance of drummer Clive Burr.





The Number of the Beast met with considerable critical and commercial success and was a landmark release for the band, becoming their first album to reach No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart, and be certified platinum in the US. The album also produced the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Number of the Beast", the former of which was the band's first top-ten UK single. The album was also controversial – particularly in the US – due to the religious nature of its lyrics and its artwork.




Since the release of The Number of the Beast and its subsequent tour, The Beast on the Road, "The Beast" has become an alternate name for Iron Maiden, and was later used in the titles of some of their compilations and live releases, including Best of the Beast and Visions of the Beast.




The Number of the Beast is Iron Maiden's only album to include songwriting credits from Clive Burr, and was the band's first album to feature writing by guitarist Adrian Smith. In addition, the release saw Steve Harris adopt a different approach to writing, which would cater more for new vocalist Bruce Dickinson. The album's producer, Martin Birch, remarked, "I simply didn't think [former vocalist Paul Di'Anno] was capable of handling lead vocals on some of the quite complicated directions I knew Steve wanted to explore... when Bruce joined, it opened up the possibilities for the new album tremendously."




According to several interviews, Dickinson was heavily involved in writing several of the album's songs, and in particular the tracks "Children of the Damned", "The Prisoner" and "Run to the Hills". Due to his previous band Samson's ongoing contractual issues, Dickinson could not legally take part in any songwriting for the record, and had to make what he called a "moral contribution", which meant he was able to influence particular tracks, but not provide enough creative input so as to earn a writing credit. The recording and mixing of the album had to be completed in only five weeks, after the band had spent too long constructing the new songs. This was because the group were for the first time creating a new album from scratch, with very little material written prior to the record's pre-production stage.




Music press reports told stories of unexplained phenomena occurring during the sessions at Battery Studios, such as lights turning on and off of their own accord and the recording gear mysteriously breaking down. This all climaxed when Birch was involved in a car accident with a mini-bus transporting a group of nuns, after which he was presented with a repair bill for £666




Like all of Iron Maiden's album artwork during the 1980s and early 90s, it was painted by Derek Riggs.




The cover was originally created for the song "Purgatory", but Rod Smallwood deemed it of too high a calibre for a single release and decided to save it for The Number of the Beast album instead.




The original 1982 artwork includes a blue sky in the background; this was a mistake by the printers of the album cover, and was later rectified and became black when the album was remastered for compact disc in 1998.]







The album was also the centre of controversy, particularly in America, due to the lyrics of the title track and the cover art depicting Eddie controlling Satan like a puppet, while Satan is also controlling a smaller Eddie. Smallwood explains that the concept was to ask "who's the really evil one here? Who's manipulating who?" According to Riggs this was inspired by a Doctor Strange comic book "which had some big villain with Doctor Strange dangling on some strings like a puppet, it was something I read as a child back in the 1960s I think", while the images of hell were "taken from my knowledge of medieval European Christian art which was full of such scenes."







The album's cover art has been parodied several times – by crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death for the cover art of their 1999 album Bigger than the Devil, and on a T-shirt by Streetwear brand Diamond Supply Co.




Side one
1. "Invaders" 3:20
2. "Children of the Damned" 4:34
3. "The Prisoner" Adrian Smith, Harris 5:34
4. "22 Acacia Avenue" Harris, Smith 6:34

Side two
1. "The Number of the Beast" 4:25
2. "Run to the Hills" 3:50
3. "Gangland" Smith, Clive Burr 3:46
4. "Hallowed Be Thy Name"




The Matrix

Side 1 "EMC 3400A-2" "NICK2" (Hand etched Master Pressers Signature only 1st UK Pressings)
Side 2 "EMC 3400 B-3" "GIVE IT SOME HEADBUTTS" (Hand etched Master Pressers Signature only 1st UK Pressings)




The Vinyl

On initial inspection there isn't much to say about the vinyl this looks almost as new in my opinion! I can't see a blemish on the playing surface! The Vinyl lies perfectly flat on the turntable and is free from any warping, (Very important because these early eighties vinyls are very prone to warping if they were not stored correctly)! Any marks that could be possibly be seen looked under strong light would be sleeve removal marks, but I find it hard to see any at all! Try to find better after 33 years! Points to note!  These vinyls have been stored seperately in poly sleeves during its storage life which has preserved this vinyl all of these years this is how i have always stored my vinyls!

The Audio Quality

I have played the vinyl track for track and recorded the actual album for you to hear in the player above! The audio is astoundingly clear and vibrant and the separation is to die for. Only found like this on the earliest UK pressings and pressings that have been barely ever played in my opinion! There is no distortion or signs that this has been overplayed at all, in fact this vinyl has only ever been played no more than two times ever! Any interference worth to note is very isolated static tick or ticks heard only, NO crackle noted during the play of this vinyl! Audio Graded At Least Excellent Plus To  Near As Mint in my opoinion!

Please note! I always add this disclaimer! This album has been laying dormant in a case for over 30 years! A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves causes static/ticks/crackle! A constant cleaning before each play is highly recommended! This will reduce any static and will enhance the audio quality!

Please allow for isolated static type ticks that may be heard in the odd place during the play of this vinyl! (not consistant throughout the audio) Please remmember that this is an original 30 years old vinyl that would have originally been played on a 30 year old system! To be honest I never heard any interference during the play at all hear for your self in the player above!

THIS AUDIO WILL BE HARD TO SURPASS! TOP ON ALL FREQUENCIES! THE AUDIO IS CRISTAL CLEAR AND VIBRANT WITH (NO) LOUD CONSTANT CLICKS OR POPS OR THAT THIS HAS BEEN OVERPLAYED (NO) DISTORTION CERTAINLY (NO) SKIPS OR JUMPS!

The Labels

These are the original 1st UK issue custom EMI labels in superbe if not in as near new condition! In fact I find it hard to see any spider marks around the spindle hole! This vinyl has barely ever been played at all No more than once by me only! There is no spindle wear the hole is perfectly round!

The  record sleeve.

This is the original 1st issued Picture Lyric EMI record sleeve (no) splits or tares! In top condition! Like new!

The Cover

This is the original 1st issue EMI, glossy,  un laminated cover!Note No Barcode (Only 1st Press)   (No real creases to mention at all. No nasty marks worth to mention all text is legible  (see photo) Superbe square spine has not suffered from nasty crushing! (very hard to find!) Points to note! Any other marks or points you really would have to look to notice! No real ring wear to mention and no nasty edge rubbing wear that is so common on these  covers! Very hard to find like this! , beleive me.!

I would grade this cover at least excellent plus to near mint!

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLE WRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 18.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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