Bruce Dickinson's Solo Ventures Return with 'Afterglow of Ragnarok'
Beer, books, speaking tours, Iron Maiden albums; Bruce Dickinson has been a busy boy. What we haven’t had from The Air Raid Siren since 2005s Tyranny of Souls is any new solo music. It seems an almost impossibly long time between drinks. But here we have finally the announcement of a new album slated for release on March 1st, 2024.On The Mandrake Project, Dickinson has once again teamed with multi-instrumentalist and producer Roy Z who first appeared in the producing/mixing chair with the quite brilliant Accident of Birth. In typical Dickinson fashion, there’s an air of mystery around The Mandrake Project. But all will soon be revealed.
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What has been revealed is the first single ‘Afterglow Of Ragnarok’. In true Bruce fashion we got an unboxing video revealing all the goodies that come with the 7 inch vinyl, but not a single note revealed. If you were lucky enough to get a copy you will soon have in your hot hands not only the single, but a B Side with the original demo of ‘If Eternity Should Fail’ and an 8 page comic prequel to a larger graphic novel. In this world of instant gratification streaming services this is the sort of thing bands need to do to not only sell physical copies but create a buzz around their music. Not that Dickinson needs to do anything other than announce new music to whip fans into a frenzy. So while we wait for the vinyl and associated goodies to land here at Wall of Sound we finally get to bathe in the ‘Afterglow of Ragnarok’ courtesy of our a YouTube premiere.While Dickinson's voice is unmistakable, you can't ever confuse his solo stuff with the music he makes with Iron Maiden. Sure it's riff driven heavy metal and his vocals soar into the stratosphere but solo Bruce has a sound all its own. The frontman has pulled out all the stops both musically and visually. The video is more theatrical than anything I've ever seen from him wether solo or with Iron Maiden, it's also got a hook which grabs you straight away with the lyrics "I cross the shining seas, eyes of creatures follow me.." There's so much to unpack here a 6am WST premiere won't do it justice. But I can see this song dropping into high rotation on many fans playlists and if your weren't already frothing at wrapping your ears and eyes around new album The Mandrake Project after experiencing the 'Afterglow of Ragnarok' you will be.Words by Gareth Williams
Pre-order/save The Mandrake Project here
Bruce Dickinson - The Mandrake Project tracklisting
1. Afterglow Of Ragnarok2. Many Doors To Hell3. Rain On The Graves4. Resurrection Men5. Fingers In The Wounds6. Eternity Has Failed7. Mistress Of Mercy8. Face In The Mirror9. Shadow Of The Gods10. Sonata (Immortal Beloved)
https://youtu.be/yulfvacpvTc?si=hmu1a31T8rwct-zu
