According to ultimateclassicrock.com, Iron Maiden has announced a vinyl reissue of The Number of the Beast to honor the album’s 40th anniversary. However, there is only a single change to the classic Lp’s track list. According to founding bassist Steve Harris explained that, “On this vinyl release we get the chance to put ‘Total Eclipse’ in its rightful spot on the album for the first time, 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.” Because of that, “Total Eclipse” was ultimately left of off the original album and instead made the B-side of the single “Run to the Hills.” Harris continue dto explain that, “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 Number of the Beast was originally released on March 22nd, 1982, the first album with Iron Maiden’s frontman Bruce Dickinson. The LP reached platinum success and cemented Maiden as on of the best metal acts. The reissue is going to be released as a 3LP set and includes the original album along with “Total Eclipse” as well as the Beast Over Hammersmith live album. The triple vinyl reissue is currently available to preorder.
—
Narcis Parfenti / Shutterstock.com