Yesterday evening, Bruce Dickinson revealed the thrilling, action-packed music video for “Afterglow Of Ragnarok,” the inaugural single from his upcoming solo album, “The Mandrake Project”
The IRON MAIDEN frontman premiered the captivating film in front of a packed audience on the opening day of CCXP23, Brazil’s expansive Comic-Con event in Sao Paulo. During the event, he not only showcased the spectacular video but also divulged additional details about the album and an upcoming comic series collaboration with Z2. To the joy of the international comic community, 2,000 CCXP-exclusive versions of the comic were announced.
Scheduled for release on March 1 via BMG, “The Mandrake Project” comprises ten innovative, expansive, and enthralling tracks. Bruce Dickinson, alongside long-term collaborator and producer Roy “Z” Ramirez, has crafted a rock album destined to define 2024. Brimming with sonic weight and rich musical textures, the album brings to life a musical vision that has been years in the making and showcases some of the finest vocal performances of Bruce‘s career.
Mostly recorded at Los Angeles’s Doom Room, with Roy Z taking on the roles of guitarist and bassist, the lineup for “The Mandrake Project” includes keyboard maestro Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom also contributed to Bruce‘s last solo studio album, “Tyranny Of Souls,” in 2005.
Bruce Dickinson “The Mandrake Project” track listing:
01. Afterglow Of Ragnarok (05:45)
02. Many Doors To Hell (04:48)
03. Rain On The Graves (05:05)
04. Resurrection Men (06:24)
05. Fingers In The Wounds (03:39)
06. Eternity Has Failed (06:59)
07. Mistress Of Mercy (05:08)
08. Face In The Mirror (04:08)
09. Shadow Of The Gods (07:02)
10. Sonata (Immortal Beloved) (09:51)
Fans of Bruce Dickinson and IRON MAIDEN will recognize the inclusion of the intriguingly titled “Eternity Has Failed,” a track that originally appeared in a different form titled “If Eternity Should Fail” on IRON MAIDEN‘s 2015 album “The Book Of Souls.” This inclusion highlights the extensive creative process behind “The Mandrake Project.”
Describing the lead single “Afterglow Of Ragnarok” as “a heavy song with a great big riff driving it,” Bruce Dickinson emphasizes the song’s light and shade, reflective of the overall album. The cinematic video, premiered the previous night, vividly brings the track to life.
Directed by award-winning director Ryan Mackfall, with a script co-written by Bruce Dickinson and acclaimed British writer Tony Lee, the film introduces Dr. Necropolis, the central character in “The Mandrake Project.” It sets the stage for the unfolding narrative, mirroring the dark storyline found in the eight-page comic book prequel included in the seven-inch gatefold vinyl release of the single.
Ryan Mackfall comments: “Many years before I was a director, I have fond memories of various music videos that spoke to me and one of those was ‘Can I Play With Madness’ by IRON MAIDEN. For me it defined what a music video is. Little did I know, many years later I’d be on a call with one of the stars of that video, Mr. Bruce Dickinson, discussing ideas for a music video. Bruce has felt like a kindred spirit from that moment and it was therefore only right that we attempted to bring the story of ‘Afterglow Of Ragnarok’ to life in a live action form.
“Naturally the music is a big part of the engine of the music video and this track was a heavy hitter from the first play. But beyond that I firmly believe it’s also the passion of the artist that defines the results — Bruce‘s passion is unmatched. I really hope the fans find themselves taking Necropolis’ journey with the mandrake juice time and time again. This is just the start of something very special!”
“The Mandrake Project” extends beyond being a mere album; it is a mature, dark tale of power, abuse, and identity struggles set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius. Conceived by Bruce Dickinson, the comic series is scripted by Tony Lee and gorgeously illustrated by Staz Johnson for Z2 Comics. Released as 12 quarterly issues, the series will be collected into three annual graphic novels, with the first episode hitting comic shops on January 17, 2024.
To bring the music of “The Mandrake Project” to life, Bruce Dickinson and his exceptional band are gearing up for a major headline tour in the upcoming spring and summer.
Bruce Dickinson 2024 tour dates:
April 18 – Diana Theater, Guadalajara, Mexico
April 20 – Pepsi Theatre, Mexico City, Mexico
April 24 – Live Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil
April 25 – Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, Brazil
April 27 – Opera Hall, Brasilia, Brazil
April 28 – Arena Hall, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
April 30 – Qualistage, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
May 2 – Quinta Linda, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
May 4 – Vibra, Sao Paulo, Brazil
May 18 – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, UK
May 19 – O2 Academy, Manchester, UK
May 21st May – Arena, Swansea, UK
May 23rd May – Rock City, Nottingham, UK
May 24 – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
May 26 – L’Olympia, Paris, France
May 28 – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
May 29 – De Oosterport, Groningen, Netherlands
June 1 – Barba Negra, Budapest, hungary
June 3 – Arenale Romane, Bucharest, Romania
June 5-8 – Mystic Festival, Gdansk, Poland *
June 5-8 – Sweden Rock Festival, Solvesborg, Sweden *
June 9 – Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway
June 11 – Grona Lund, Stockholm, Sweden
June 13 – House Of Culture, Helsinki, Finland
June 14 – Noblessner Foundry, Tallinn, Estonia
June 16 – Huxleys Neue Welt, Berlin, Germany
June 17 – Grosse Freiheit 36, Hamburg, Germany
June 19 – 22 – Copenhell, Copenhagen, Denmark *
June 21 – Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel, Belgium *
June 22 – Summerside Festival, Grenchen, Switzerland *
June 24 – Zeltfestival Rhein-Neckar, Mannheim, Germany *
June 25 – Circus Krone, Munich, Germany
June 27-30 – Hellfest, Clisson, France *
June 30 – Rockhal, Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
July 3-6 – Rockharz Open Air, Ballenstedt, Germany *
July 5 – Ippodrome Delle Capannelle, Rock In Rome, Rome, Italy *
July 6 – Bassano Del Grappa, Metal Park, Vincenza, Italy *
July 9 – E-Werk, Koln, Germany
July 13 – Hala, Zagreb, Croatia
July 16 – Kolodrum Arena, Sofia, Bulgaria
July 19 – Kucukciftlik Park, Istanbul, Turkey
July 21 – Release, Athens, Greece *
* Festival performance
