Bruce Dickinson, the renowned frontman of IRON MAIDEN, has shared an exciting update through a video message about his upcoming solo album, scheduled for an early 2024 release under BMG
The album, titled “The Mandrake Project,” marks his seventh solo venture and a return to collaboration with his long-standing musical partner and producer, Roy “Z” Ramirez.
Bruce says (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “So, everybody, everybody on the planet who’s been going, ‘Oh my god. What’s this solo thing gonna be all about when it finally happens?’ Well, it’s finally happening. It’s called ‘The Mandrake Project’, and’ of course, it’s music. But, it’s also much, much, more. More than that, I’m not gonna reveal for now, ’cause it will become self-explanatory and self-evident as we go through and reveal more layers of the onion for you all.”
He continued: “But, yeah, ‘The Mandrake Project’. We’ve been working on this since 2014, when it wasn’t called ‘The Mandrake Project’. And it’s had time to grow and mature. And, oh my God, has it ever. I think you will be really, really excited. And, I hope you love everything that we’ve created for you.”
“The Mandrake Project” represents Dickinson‘s first solo endeavor since his 2005 release, “Tyranny Of Souls.” When he initially unveiled “The Mandrake Project” in September, Dickinson expressed in a statement, “This album has been a very personal journey for me and I am extremely proud of it. Roy Z and I have been planning, writing and recording it for years, and I am very excited for people to finally hear it.
“I’m even more excited at the prospect of getting out on the road with this amazing band that we have put together, to be able to bring it to life. We’re planning to play as many shows as we can in as many places as possible, for as many people as we can! As for what ‘The Mandrake Project’ actually is… all will be revealed soon!”
Back in December 2017, Dickinson hinted that his next solo album might include a reimagined version of “If Eternity Should Fail,” the opening track from IRON MAIDEN‘s 2015 album, “The Book Of Souls.” At that time, he had already composed approximately “half” of his seventh solo record and confirmed that “If Eternity Should Fail” was originally conceived as a solo piece by Dickinson himself.
The initial live performances have been announced for Mexico and Brazil in April and May 2024, with additional tour details expected to be disclosed in due course.
Bruce Dickinson “The Mandrake Project” 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 02 – Quinta Linda, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
May 04 – Vibra, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Bruce Dickinson embarked on his recording journey with IRON MAIDEN, contributing to the iconic “Number Of The Beast” album in 1982. A decade later, in 1993, he made the pivotal decision to depart from the band to chart his course in the world of solo music. His departure paved the way for Blaze Bayley, formerly the frontman of the metal outfit WOLFSBANE, to step into the role of lead singer for IRON MAIDEN.
Following his solo pursuits, Dickinson collaborated with former IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith, and together, they delivered two albums rooted in the traditional metal sound. In a surprising turn of events, Dickinson reunited with IRON MAIDEN in 1999, marking his triumphant return alongside Smith. Despite his reunion with the band, Dickinson‘s solo career continued to burn brightly, with the release of just one more solo album, the aforementioned “Tyranny Of Souls.”
Importantly, Dickinson has consistently affirmed that his solo journey is far from reaching its conclusion, leaving the door wide open for future solo endeavors.
