The Mandrake Projectt is probably one of the most anticipated records of this year. Calendar in hand in fact , Bruce Dickinson he hadn’t shown up with his project for nearly twenty years soloist From 2005 to be exact, when he published. Tyranny Of Soul to then be wrapped in his myriad of commitments, without even time to take an album support tour. An eternity if you think about it. But despite world tours with Iron Maiden, his pilot activity, making a film script, writing some books, his solo career Bruce Dickinson has never been in question. She was only put on standby indefinitely, but always ready to pop out at the right time. After all, Bruce needs it, for him it is an essential relief valve. Kind of like a little love infidelity from time to time, after years of married life. A situation of which his better half is aware of it but tolerates it anyway. The one at home Iron Maiden in the end it is an open relationship. Better to give Bruce some escapades than to risk a new break like the one that happened in 1993. You know I embarrass relatives (EMI) having to explain a new divorce. And then we have to think about the good of the children (the fans), they would be hurt.
Here comes the time for The Mandrake Project, an album that Bruce has worked on constantly over the years. Whenever he too, strange to think so, had free time, he patiently dedicated himself to drafting this work of his.
For younger readers, who may not know Mr Dickinson’s parallel career, it must be specified that this is not an alternative version of the band’s Steve Harris, but an artistic path with which the singer can experience some slightly different flavor.
The Mandrake Project was recorded in the Doom Rooms in Los Angeles, and this time Bruce also resorts to the collaboration of Roy Z, who has now become his trusted man, in the role of producer and co-author.
Bruce, however, is a volcano of ideas always in turmoil, and a simple new album after twenty years was too little for him. Here comes in parallel with this new publication, also a comic that takes up the themes of the album. The first episode will be released in stores in mid-January and tell a story created by Bruce himself. A story focused on dark plots of power, a struggle for identity, science and occult and anything else that came out of the imagination of the historic vocalist. All topics that will be explored in the appropriate venues, but we will now focus on music.
The Mandrake Project basically follows the trail of the latest works previously made by Dickinson, proposing a metal of classic matrix with which, however, he can also try solutions that in the rigid patterns of Iron Maiden would not always be possible. The formation still sees the trust Roy Z in the role of guitarist and bassist. Finally, they close the circle Mistheria on keyboards and Dave Moreno on the battery, both already present on Tyranny Of Soul.
An intro with a bleak taste opens the way to the first notes of Afterglow Of Ragnarock, an average time built on a full-bodied riff with epic nuances and theatrical tones. The piece was already known to most, having anticipated the release of the disc by a few weeks. A lively guitar and a kicking rhythm bring us on the second track Many Doors To Hell, a precious hard rock with beautiful melodies that approaches certain more recent things than Deep Purple , band for which Dickinson he never hid his estimate. He must also have learned from Ian Gillan some tricks on how to dose his voice with cunning. On the other hand, if age advances, one must also take into account. Bruce proves to juggle well even without bringing the voice to the limit. Rain On The Grave is another old acquaintance for fans, being already in circulation for a while. The song is a kind of macabre dance with blues shades. All marked by a pounding rhythm on which Bruce plays the role of evil storyteller. A pulsating bass, accompanied by reverberation arpeggios, opens the way to Resurrection Men. Then a guitar rhythm takes over, which seems to be the direct son of. Apaches gods The Shadows, to base a suffered song. The piece continues like this for a few minutes, then surprises everyone by suddenly changing into a cadenced march that smells like Black Sabbath a mile away. A gimmick that evidently wants to be a tribute to the band of Tony Iommi. The next. Fingers In The Wound it is a semi-ballad with the contours of a dramatic work. Towards the middle of the song, sinuous oriental melodies make room to lull the listener.
We come to Eternity Has Failed that others is not that If Eternity Should Fail of Iron Maiden. It is said that Steve Harris, after hearing it, wanted it as an opening of Book Of Souls. The version here present even if shorter, is quite similar to that proposed by the Maiden. It begins with the voice accompanied by a flute that evokes the ghosts of ancient Mayan civilizations. When the piece explodes, you immediately notice a more marked majesty and epicity than the version of the Maiden. On the middle of the piece ,. Roy Z he indulges in a fiery solo, unlike the scarcer (practically non-existent) one Book Of Souls. That this was the clause to allow Harris to get his hands on the song. Who knows?
Mistress Of Mercy it is a simple and direct hard rock with an engaging refrain. A track, which in its simplicity, knows how to hit the mark. Before Roy Z launches into another solo, there is a phrasing of Maidenian memory built on a full-bodied thrash / groove riff of what we will never hear on an album by Iron Maiden The soft moment comes with. Face In The Mirror, a piano ballad where Dickinson weaves beautiful dreamy melodies. The song would perhaps like to be there Man Of Sorrow of the situation, but despite being well-made, the trace of Accident Of Birth always remains a step above. Shadow Of The Gods it also begins as a ballad, with the first few minutes floating on melancholic notes with light orchestral inserts. But here is uncovering the ace up your sleeve as on Resurrection Men A rough guitar takes over to change the cards on the table, and the song changes its skin into a blood hard rock.
In closing we find the long one Sonata (Immortal Beloved) The song begins like a lullaby on the notes of a velvety arpeggio. Subsequently, it assumes an epic and evocative structure, traveling between melancholic shadows with alternating verses sung with suggestive narrated parts. At the end then, a free field is left. Roy Z for a sad solo, where at times echoes of pinkfloydiana memory.
The Mandrake Project it’s a record that goes without fail, in which Bruce Dickinson leaves nothing to chance. The songs are inspired and well arranged. As already heard in recent tests with the Maiden, the voice is still in shape, albeit with some small tricks (remember the 65 years on the back and throat cancer!).
A theatrical metal work with dark colors, as were its previous releases.
ROKKERSPRESS 