Iron Maiden : The Number Of The Beast A-2 / B-5

This is the first reissue of the original pressing on the black EMI label and it plays to a fantastic standard with no intrusion on the audio.  The sonic quality is stunning and the only interference really is on the spoken intro on S2, not on any of the music!  This album is so often found heavily played and it is relatively rare to find one as good as this.  The audio on both sides is stunning!

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and the lyric inner has just one small mark.

EMC 3400 // A - 2 / B - 5 // GIVE IT SOME HEADBUTTS & NICKZ etched on the run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 spoken intro VG+ then Near Mint)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of very faint hairlines - a couple of very small scuff hairlines also but they have no affect on the audio.  There is only a little spindle wear and the run out grooves are in perfect condition.

Play grading

'Invaders' plays with stunning quality from the first groove to the last.  The power and depth of the audio is exceptional and there is no distortion on the top end.  This is such a strong version and is easily a Mint start to this classic album.

The 'quiet' intro on 'Children Of The Damned' has no 'background' and this clarity is still there as the vocal begins.  There is just one very faint, dull tick during the second chorus but aside from that it plays perfectly and nowhere is that more obvious than during the mid section solo.  Superb!  The remainder plays with immaculate precision and overall deserves a Mint- grade.  The tick is easily missed!

The 'spoken' intro on 'The Prisoner' has only very minimal light static and no clicks or pops.  The opening instrumental is 'as new' and thereafter plays with outstanding power and precision.  There are no negatives!  The mid instrumental is just breathtaking - turn it up loud there is no distortion at all!  To the end it plays perfectly and there is no 'background' on the percussive fade out either.  Mint-

The classic '22 Acacia Avenue' plays with great power, depth and clarity from start to finish.  For a final track the sonic quality cannot be faulted and and you can turn it up to maximum without fear of inner groove distortion.  There are a couple of static sounds just after the '...she'll teach you more than you can know' line but from then on it is STUNNING!  It plays with incredible definition and I still believe Mint- is deserved.

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The spoken intro on 'The Number Of The Beast' does have some crackle but there are no clicks or pops.  Just a minimal touch of static as the track begins plus one other crackle sound but from then on plays with phenomenal power and depth and no interference.  I would say VG+ for the spoken intro but easily Near Mint for the remainder.

The percussive intro on 'Run To The Hills' is 'as new' and continues in the same precise way.  I cannot overstate just how powerful this version an Mint is an easy grade to give.  There is literally no 'background' of any kind.  Wow!

'Gangland' plays with immaculate precision from the opening groove and continues to play as if it was only pressed yesterday!  This is also Mint I need say no more!

The 'quieter' intro on 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' is so 'clean' with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  The first verse has one very light tick and then plays with outstanding power and depth - again I cannot believe the quality on offer here.  There is just no interference and the definition of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard.  It is awesome!  A sublime Mint- finish to this classic album.

In summary you don't get much better than this!  The actual music plays to a wonderful standard and has lost none of its original sonic quality over the intervening years.  The clarity, depth and definition of the audio is sensational!  There are no clicks or pops and no underlying static either.  Every second of every tracked play tested as per usual.  Superb!

The Cover

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges are perfect and the spine has only a couple of minor rubs.  Only the right hand corners have a little wear but as can be seen it is only minor and the opening edge has no real handling wear at all.  The classic front cover is very clean but does have a small scuff next to the opening edge which I have just noticed.  The back cover has no marking apart from a very small area where there was once a price sticker I imagine.  Not quite perfect but better than many you see.

The Lyric Inner

This has no side splits or tears but there is a small mark in the bottom left corner and a small number of 'mottling' spots but these are very faint.

The Labels

The black labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMC 3400 // A - 2 / B - 5 // GIVE IT SOME HEADBUTTS & NICKZ etched on the run out grooves

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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