Piece of Mind - Release and Reception

Release and Reception

Piece of Mind was released on 28 May 1983, peaking at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart. It was preceded by the single "Flight of Icarus" on 28 April, and its supporting tour, the World Piece Tour, opened at Hull City Hall, on 2 May. Said tour would end on 18 December, following 139 concerts in total, with a televised performance at Westfalenhalle in Dortmund.

In North America, the album became the band's highest charting thus far with a No. 14 peak on the Billboard 200. By July Piece of Mind was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, rising up to Platinum status in 1986. In 1995, the album achieved Platinum status in the UK.

Reviews for Piece of Mind were mostly positive. In 1983, Kerrang! magazine published a poll of the greatest metal albums of all time, with Piece of Mind ranking No. 1, and with The Number of the Beast at No. 2. Since its release, the album has received consistent critical acclaim with Sputnikmusic stating that it's "easily an album that belongs in your collection", although they argue that "the likes of Powerslave, Somewhere in Time, and Brave New World would over take it", while Allmusic described it as "essential for anyone with even the most basic interest in heavy metal", although "the second half dips a bit from the first". In addition, it was ranked No. 21 on IGN's list of the top 25 metal albums in 2007.