One night, after watching Damien: Omen II, Steve Harris, the bassist and primary songwriter for Iron Maiden, had a nightmare. This unsettling dream would later inspire one of the most controversial and iconic albums in heavy metal history: The Number of the Beast. Iron Maiden’s thunderous riffs and dark imagery had already set them apart in the metal scene, but this album would push them into the eye of a cultural storm.
Cursed albums are not a rarity, particularly those produced during times of societal fear or unrest. In the early 1980s, the United States was in the grip of the Satanic Panic, a period of widespread paranoia about alleged satanic influences in popular culture. While many metal bands of the time dabbled in dark themes, Iron Maiden took a direct and unapologetic approach with The Number of the Beast, embracing the macabre and the occult in a way that both shocked and fascinated their audience.
As soon as word spread about Iron Maiden’s new album title, The Number of the Beast, controversy was inevitable. The title alone, referencing a notorious biblical passage, stoked the fears of a nation already on edge. Religious leaders, concerned parents, and moral guardians were quick to condemn the album, accusing the band of promoting satanism and corrupting the youth.
The eerie nature of The Number of the Beast was not confined to its themes and lyrics. The entire recording process was marred by inexplicable events. Technical difficulties plagued the sessions, with equipment malfunctioning at the most inconvenient times. Strange occurrences, like lights turning on and off without cause, added to the unsettling atmosphere in the studio.
The most bizarre incident occurred when the album’s producer, Martin Birch, was involved in a car accident while driving home from the studio. His vehicle collided with a van, and upon inspecting the damage, Birch was startled to find the van occupied by a group of nuns. The driver, seemingly unharmed, dropped to his knees and began to pray, thanking God for their safety. This eerie encounter was made even more unsettling when Birch took his car in for repairs. The repair bill totaled £666—an ominous number that Birch insisted be changed, even at the cost of increasing the fee.
These strange occurrences only fueled the media’s narrative that Iron Maiden was dabbling in the occult. Some suggested that the band was working with dark forces to create their music, intentionally summoning demons to ensnare their listeners. This sensationalism fed into the ongoing Satanic Panic, further entrenching the band in controversy.
Yet, rather than hindering the band’s success, the controversy surrounding The Number of the Beast propelled Iron Maiden to new heights of fame. The album became a cultural milestone, cementing the band’s reputation as provocateurs in the rock world. The very scandal that sought to undermine them instead elevated their status, demonstrating how controversy can paradoxically serve to amplify artistic expression.
The Number of the Beast remains one of Iron Maiden’s most significant works, not just for its musical achievements but for the lasting impact it had on popular culture. The album’s haunted legacy continues to intrigue and inspire, reminding us of the thin line between fear and fascination, and how the two often intertwine in the realm of art.
