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Another DVD from the "Classic Albums" series, this one focusing on Maiden's groundbreaking "The Number Of The Beast". The formula remains the same: Interviews with band members (all current members except Janick, plus Clive Burr), manager and producer, old footage from the album's period (either live or from videos), even some shots of Dickinson in his Samson days. What I found the most interesting in the interviews were all the little stories about the band (the frequent occurrence of "666" in prices etc.., how Bruce got the "Air Raid Siren" monicker, etc...) There's a bit of talk about the overblown "satanic" controversy that surrounded the release of the album.

The DVD includes a few more interviews than were presented on TV, plus shots of Murray and Smith playing parts of songs on the guitar in an empty room with no other instruments. To close the bonus stuff, an extract from the upcoming DVD live in Rio, the band playing "Hallowed Be Thy Name". I'm not too fond of the way some of the filming was done, hopefully the live DVD won't be all like that. And what's with the pogo jumping? ARGH!

The DVD is a bit on the short side, the first part being about 50 minutes and the bonus stuff adding another 20-30 minutes. I wish they would have added the videos that were released for that album, especially since the live and video footage is always cut to go to an interview. Overall some good stuff but it still feels empty or incomplete at times.