Many choose to spend their golden years slowing down, taking it easy and kicking their feet. I can say with absolute certainly that Bruce Dickinson is not one of them.
Last year he released his first solo album in nearly two decades,The Mandrake Project. Now, the Iron Maiden frontman has confirmed that he is already working on the next one. And, in classic Dickinson fashion, he’s gone in hard and fast, demoing a whopping 18 songs in just 15 days.
Speaking during a Musicians Institute interview in Hollywood, Dickinson revealed the upcoming record will be recorded early next year with the same crew behind Mandrake, including producer Brendan Duffey. “It’s gonna be a really cool album,” he said. “We just kept the team together. We’ve got the chemistry, so why mess with it?”
For fans still riding high off The Mandrake Project, Dickinson’s comments are fuel to the fire. He’s currently gearing up for The Mandrake Project Live 2025 tour across North America. He also hinted that unreleased cuts from Mandrake including fan-favourite ‘Shadow of the Gods’ will finally get a run on stage.
The tour will see Dickinson joined by his 2024 backing band (dubbed “The House Band of Hell”) featuring drummer Dave Moreno, keyboardist Mistheria, bassist Tanya O’Callaghan, and new additions Philip Näslund and Chris Declercq. Though longtime collaborator Roy Z Ramirez won’t be part of this round.
The tour kicks off August 22 at the House of Blues in Anaheim and includes stops across the US and Canada, plus slots at Rocklahoma and Louder Than Life. There’s even a return to Brazil for São Paulo’s The Town festival. Tickets can be purchased here.
Dickinson, now deep into his post-Maiden solo resurgence, seems as driven as ever. “Not everybody is gonna get everything you do,” he said. “But I thought it was a really good, varied album… heavy, emotional. It worked really well live.”
With 18 new demos waiting in the wings and a stacked touring calendar ahead, I for one, can’t wait for what’s around the corner.
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