Iron Maiden’s 1982 album The Number of the Beast features the song “Hallowed Be Thy Name.” The track is the album’s eighth and final song, closing the record with a dramatic narrative about a prisoner facing execution.
The Number of the Beast was Iron Maiden’s third studio album and the first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who had joined after the departure of Paul Di’Anno. Bassist and principal songwriter Steve Harris wrote “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” shaping it around a slow, suspenseful opening that grows into melodic guitar harmonies and extended solos.
The album became a turning point for Iron Maiden, with “Run to the Hills,” “The Number of the Beast,” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name” becoming staples of the band’s catalog. Its dark imagery led some groups to accuse Iron Maiden of promoting Satanism, but the title song’s concept was reportedly inspired by a nightmare Steve Harris had after watching the film Damien: Omen II.
A common mix-up is confusing the album’s title with the song “The Number of the Beast.” Both are Iron Maiden works, while “Hallowed Be Thy Name” is the album’s closing track.