Bruce has announced his new solo album for early 2024 with initial tour dates!
Some audio samples:
Album homepage:
All we know for sure about the line-up is that the album was written with longtime collaborator Roy Z., and recent evidence suggests that Tanya O’Callaghan may be playing bass.
Although RockBizz in Brazil originally reported that Adrian would be joining Bruce on his solo tour, this was stated without a source, and it has apparently been confirmed by a moderator on the official Iron Maiden forum that Adrian will not be involved with Bruce’s tour.
There have been no indications that Adrian was involved in any way with the creation of The Mandrake Project, but I’m not yet aware of any confirmation of this one way or the other.
“If Eternity Should Fail”, ultimately recorded by Iron Maiden for The Book Of Souls, was originally intended to be the title track of the new solo album, and a solo recording of the song may still appear on The Mandrake Project. Other song titles previously mentioned as possible new tracks are “Nightmares” and “Face In The Mirror”.
EDIT Oct. 9, 2023: Bruce posted a video with a little bit more information, mostly that The Mandrake Project is more than just music:
EDIT Oct. 10, 2023: Bruce has been listed as a performer for the Mystic Festival in Poland in early June 2024, and a Slovakian online record store has listed a single “Afterglow Of Ragnarok” for early December 2023, as has a Czech record store.
EDIT Oct. 12, 2023: A new video:
Bruce says the touring band should match the line-up that actually recorded the album (everyone who participated in the recording said “yes” to the tour, apparently), but he only confirmed Roy Z. as a band member.
EDIT Oct. 18, 2023: Maestro Mistheria (keyboardist on Tyranny Of Souls) has confirmed his participation in Bruce’s Mexico and Brazil tour, which implies that he also played on The Mandrake Project.
EDIT Nov. 5, 2023: First single “Afterglow Of Ragnarok” reconfirmed for December 1st. Vinyl includes a comic book:
“Afterglow of Ragnarok” is the brand new single from legendary Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, his first new solo release in 19 years. This deluxe 7’ single comes in a gatefold that contains a comic book in the centerfold.
The B-side is…”If Eternity Should Fail”!
EDIT Nov. 6, 2023: Bruce has officially announced the single, UK and European tour dates, and the touring band here. Tickets go on sale Nov. 10 with a possible presale beforehand.
The touring band is:
- Roy Z. (guitars)
- Tanya O’Callaghan (bass)
- Dave Moreno (drums)
- Mistheria (keys)
Teaser for “Afterglow Of Ragnarok”:
EDIT Nov. 17, 2023: The unboxing of “Afterglow Of Ragnarok”:
Includes the original demo of “If Eternity Should Fail”, though Bruce says this track has also been reworked and retitled for inclusion on The Mandrake Project album itself.
The Mandrake Project will also get a graphic novel trilogy, which will be released over the next couple of years. The comic included in the single is a prequel.
EDIT Nov. 29, 2023:
Video premiere on Nov. 30, 3:50PM Central Time.
The full video is now live!
EDIT Dec. 1, 2023:
Album release confirmed for March 1, 2024.
Track list:
- Afterglow Of Ragnarok (5:45)
- Many Doors To Hell (4:48)
- Rain On The Graves (5:05)
- Resurrection Men (6:24)
- Fingers In The Wounds (3:39)
- Eternity Has Failed (6:59)
- Mistress Of Mercy (5:08)
- Face In The Mirror (4:08)
- Shadow Of The Gods (7:02)
- Sonata (Immortal Beloved) (9:51)
More info on album formats here.