Iron Maiden founder and bassist Steve Harris has offered a surprisingly candid take on the band’s legendary discography, admitting that despite their global influence, he doesn’t believe they’ve ever produced a truly “perfect album.”
The revelation came during a conversation with Louder Sound, where Harris discussed both the band’s most celebrated records and their more polarizing releases.
“‘The Number of the Beast’ Isn’t Perfect”
For many fans, Iron Maiden’s 1982 album The Number of the Beast stands as one of the greatest heavy metal records of all time. The release marked the debut of vocalist Bruce Dickinson, propelled the band into international stardom, and cemented their reputation as pioneers of the genre.
But Harris, ever the perfectionist, holds a different perspective.
“I don’t think we’ve ever made the perfect album,” Harris admitted. “‘Number Of The Beast,’ people think that’s the perfect album, but there are two songs on there that are not as good as the others [referring to Invaders and Gangland]. Not everything’s going to be good, is it?”
His blunt honesty provides a rare glimpse into how even the band’s most iconic moments are viewed critically from within.
Looking Beyond the Classics
Harris also took time to address two of Iron Maiden’s most divisive albums: 1995’s The X Factor and 1998’s Virtual XI. Both were recorded during the tenure of vocalist Blaze Bayley, a period often criticized by fans for its stylistic departure from Maiden’s classic sound.
Rather than dismiss them, Harris stood firmly in defense of the records.
“They’re really strong, powerful albums,” he said. “People will appreciate them later.”
For Harris, these works hold lasting artistic merit, even if they didn’t achieve the same level of immediate acclaim as earlier hits. His comments reflect the deep connection he maintains to the entire catalog, not just the universally praised titles.
The Pressures Behind The Number of the Beast
Harris’s critique of The Number of the Beast gains further weight when viewed against the chaotic circumstances surrounding its creation. The album was famously recorded under immense time pressure, with the band forced to start nearly from scratch in the writing process.
According to reports, including those on Wikipedia, the band completed the album in just five weeks. This was the first time Iron Maiden had entered the studio without much pre-written material, a shift that put enormous strain on the musicians.
Despite the pressure, the record went on to become a historic success, topping charts in the UK and propelling Iron Maiden into the heavy metal stratosphere. Tracks like Run to the Hills and the title track remain anthems of the genre to this day.
Yet, as Harris’s comments make clear, the experience left him acutely aware of its imperfections.
A Perfectionist’s Legacy
Iron Maiden’s influence spans more than four decades, with over 100 million albums sold worldwide and a fanbase that continues to grow across generations. For Harris, however, success has never equated to flawlessness.
His willingness to critique even his band’s most revered album underscores the relentless drive for excellence that has fueled Maiden’s career. While fans may debate whether albums like The Number of the Beast or Seventh Son of a Seventh Son deserve the label of “perfect,” Harris remains firmly grounded in the belief that no work can ever truly achieve that status.
The Bigger Picture in Heavy Metal
Harris’s comments also touch on a broader truth within the world of music: what fans perceive as flawless often feels imperfect to the artists themselves. For listeners, albums like The Number of the Beast represent defining cultural moments. For the creators, they represent compromises, rushed sessions, and creative decisions they might wish to revisit.
That tension between fan perception and artistic self-critique is part of what keeps Iron Maiden relevant after more than 40 years. Their constant striving for improvement — even when the world already sees them as legends — ensures that each new release is crafted with the same hunger that drove them from the start.
Will There Ever Be a “Perfect” Maiden Album?
Whether Iron Maiden will ever achieve the “perfect album” in Steve Harris’s eyes remains an open question. With their relentless touring schedule, continued passion for new material, and fiercely loyal fanbase, the band shows no signs of slowing down.
For now, Harris’s honesty offers a refreshing reminder that even the giants of metal remain human, forever chasing a vision of perfection that may never fully exist. And perhaps that pursuit, more than anything else, is what has kept Iron Maiden at the forefront of heavy metal history.
