BRUCE DICKINSON “The Chemical Wedding” /CD/

Expanded Edition first re-release of the fourth solo album by legendary British Heavy Metal singer, the Iron Maiden vocalist.
This is the second album made in collaboration with guitarist/producer Roy "Roy Z" Ramirez and is therefore much different from Bruce's previous "Skunkworks" album. Of all of Bruce Dickinson's solo albums, “Accident Of Birth” sounds the most similar to Iron Maiden, which isn't surprising since former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith co-wrote many of the songs and plays on the record. This is the album that Iron Maiden never made, the great (quasi) solo work by Bruce Dickinson with assistance from his friend and former band member of Iron Maiden Adrian Smith. Together with Roy Z and further notable musicians, these two legends of Metal recorded their by far best album of the 1990ies.
After his Progressive Rock side project "Skunkworks" tanked the previous year, Bruce had no choice but to return to the genre that made him a household name in the first place, and boy, are the sounds of it ever sweet. With 12 tracks of nothing but awesome, catchy and truly memorable Metal tunes, Bruce Dickinson's "Accident Of Birth" is truly the return to form that we all wanted. With simple words, "Accident Of Birth" is perfect! Bruce hasn’t sung and expressed himself like this since the "Seventh Son Of The Seven Son" album. In this album, Bruce composes epic songs, either singing furiously - the way we loved him-in Heavy Metal thunders, or giving us incredible moments of peace with his exquisite ballads. At times the music reminds a bit of Maiden but how could it be otherwise since the songs are under the signature of Dickinson-Smith?
Varying from intense, energetic, to quiet and relaxing, from sad to powerful moods, anytime you listen at the end you will feel like having had a great new experience. A good example is the title track, beginning with a steamhammer-like intro, with lyrics like a verbal revenge on someone that has mistreated you once and you feel like payback. Or "Omega" and "Arc Of Space" for taking a rest with your body and mind, trying to get closer to the meaning of life or the existence of God. The album has a unique freshness of an icy cold winter morning when you feel like having to face all the world’s problems and all you need to solve them is just some mind-feeding power from Heavy Metal music. This is what you get!
The cover art was done by Derek Riggs, best known for being the creator of Iron Maiden's mascot Eddie and the artwork on all Iron Maiden albums/singles/posters/tour brochures throughout 1980–1990 (and sporadically afterwards up until 2000's "Brave New World" other than one additional Eddie drawing for the cover of his book "Run for Cover"). Four versions of the album cover exist. The regular European release had Edison (as the jester was jokingly named as "Eddie's Son") bursting out of a man's stomach. The regular cover only shows the stomach, but the poster that came with the limited edition of the album made it clear that the stomach belongs to a man. This was deemed too explicit for the US market, where the album was released with a frontal view of the puppet. The 2005 re-release also has a different cover. The outer cardboard sleeve features the puppet nailed to a cross, while the cover art on the CD booklet itself is the one showing the jester bursting out of a man's stomach. The extended edition of the album features the same cover as the original, but re-scaled so as to make the man visible.
The album is better than many latter-day Maiden efforts, and though the songwriting is occasionally uneven, the best moments (including "Man Of Sorrows") make it an intriguing album.
Now you can reach for your remote control and push the "Play" button again. The emperor of Metal has returned to his throne and we, his humble followers have no right to question his dominion. Thank you Bruce and welcome back to Metal!
"Accident Of Birth" is a must-own for Maiden fans, for Bruce fans, and is an excellent start for people new to Brucey's solo material who want to explore the frontier his creativity outside of Maiden took him to!!
An Expanded Edition remastered release features “Accident Of Birth” album and second disc with tracks of CD Singles "Accident Of Birth" and "Man Of Sorrows" (Japanese Edition).
Duellist Enterprises Ltd./Sanctuary Records Group Ltd. A BMG Company, 1997/2005 (SMEDD197). Made in Germany. First press of Expanded Edition.


Tracklist:

CD 1
1. Freak 4:15
2. Toltec 7 Arrival 0:37
3. Starchildren 4:17
4. Taking The Queen 4:49
5. Darkside Of Aquarius 6:42
6. Road To Hell 3:57
7. Man Of Sorrows 5:20
8. Accident Of Birth 4:23
9. The Magician 3:54
10. Welcome To The Pit 4:43
11. Omega 6:23
12. Arc Of Space 4:18

CD 2 (Bonus Tracks)
1. Ghost Of Cain (Demo)* 4:15
2. Accident Of Birth (Demo)* 4:18
3. Starchildren (Demo)** 5:04
4. Taking The Queen (Demo)** 4:33
5. Man Of Sorrows (Radio Edit)*** 3:58
6. Man Of Sorrows (Orchestral Version)*** 5:20
7. Man Of Sorrows (Spanish Version)*** 3:58
8. Darkside Of Aquarius (Demo)*** 6:23
9. Arc Of Space (Demo)*** 4:04

Total playing time: 95:29 min.

* Taken from “Accident Of Birth, pt. I” CD Single;
** Taken from “Accident Of Birth, pt. II” CD Single;
*** Taken from “Man Of Sorrows” Japan only CD Single.

 
Samples: https://www.last.fm

Expanded Edition second (and first remastered) re-release of the debut solo album by legendary British Heavy Metal/Hard Rock singer, the Iron Maiden vocalist.
In 1990, Bruce Dickinson launched his solo career with "Tattooed Millionaire", which is far from a carbon copy of his work with Iron Maiden. Many of the fans who knew him as Maiden's lead vocalist assumed that this solo debut would be Maiden-like - they expected an album of aggressive yet melodic fantasy Metal in the Maiden/Ronnie James Dio/Black Sabbath vein. But "Tattooed Millionaire" found Dickinson favoring more of a Hard Rock/Pop-Metal approach. This album is full of glossy and lighthearted Soft Metal that wouldn't be out of place on an album by Winger, Bon Jovi or Def Leppard.
The album project began when Dickinson was asked to record a song for "A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child", and so wrote "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter". Collaborating with future Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers, Dickinson began creating a solo album, which was fundamentally different from his works with Iron Maiden, with a Hard Rock sound that is less Progressive.
"Lickin' the Gun" is more Aerosmith than King Diamond, and "Son of a Gun" is more Bad Company than Candlemass. And while some Maiden worshipers might prefer to hear Dickinson singing fantasy Metal, the fact is that "Tattooed Millionaire" is excellent. With this album, Dickinson did what fellow Brit Rob Halford did on some of Judas Priest's more commercial and Pop-influenced releases - he showed listeners another side of himself and demonstrated that he wasn't obligated to embrace fantasy Metal 100 percent of the time. For Dickinson, coming out with something more Pop-minded didn't mean being contrived or unimaginative. "Tattooed Millionaire", for all its Pop-Metal gloss, has a lot of guts, and Dickinson is consistently inspired whether he is embracing original material or providing a memorable remake of David Bowie's "All the Young Dudes".
On subsequent solo efforts like 1994's "Balls To Picasso" and 1998's "The Chemical Wedding", the British vocalist got back to fantasy Metal. However, he seemed to need a break from it in 1990, and "Tattooed Millionaire" turned out to be a most pleasant surprise!
"Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" wasn't included on the original release, as Iron Maiden planned to record an alternate version for their 1990 album "No Prayer For The Dying", which went on to become the band's only number one single on the UK Singles Chart to date. The album did yield four Top 40 singles in the UK, with the lead and title single "Tattooed Millionaire", reaching no. 18. A cover of the David Bowie penned, Mott The Hoople hit "All The Young Dudes", was also a relative success, reaching no. 23.
Expanded Edition re-release features second CD with eleven bonus tracks of rare demos, B-Sides and live tracks, including "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" in original Soundtrack Version!!
Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company, 1990/1991/2005 (SMEDD198). Made in the EU. Pressed in Austria.


Tracklist:

CD 1
1. Son Of A Gun 5:54
2. Tattooed Millionaire 4:27
3. Born In '58 3:39
4. Hell On Wheels 3:39
5. Gypsy Road 4:02
6. Dive! Dive! Dive! 4:40
7. All The Young Dudes (Mott The Hoople cover) 3:48
8. Lickin' The Gun 3:16
9. Zulu Lulu 3:27
10. No Lies 6:22

CD 2 (Bonus Tracks)
1. Bring Your Daughter...To The Slaughter (Original Soundtrack Version) 5:00
2. Ballad Of Mutt 3:34
3. Winds Of Change 3:22
4. Darkness Be My Friend 2:03
5. Sin City (AC/DC cover) 4:39
6. Dive! Dive! Dive! (Live) 4:43
7. Riding With The Angels (Live) 4:19
8. Sin City (AC/DC cover; live) 4:49
9. Black Night (Deep Purple cover; live) 4:33
10. Son Of A Gun (Live) 5:53
11. Tattooed Millionaire (Live) 4:35

Total playing time: 90:44 min.


Samples: https://www.last.fm

The third Single by legendary Hard Rock/Heavy Metal singer, vocalist of Iron Maiden.
“Tattooed Millionaire” is a second Single (after “Zulu Lulu”) for the forthcoming debut full-length studio album, “Tattooed Millionaire”.
Limited Edition release includes one extra track and A1 size foldout Poster/Cover-sleeve.
EMI Records Ltd., 1990 (12EM 138). Made in UK. First press. 45 RPM. Used (cover/disc): EX+/EX+.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Tattooed Millionaire 04:29

Side 2
1. Ballad of Mutt 03:37
2. Winds of Change 03:23

Total playing time: 11:29 min.

First re-release of the debut full-length solo album by legendary British Heavy Metal/Hard Rock singer.
In 1990, Bruce Dickinson launched his solo career with "Tattooed Millionaire", which is far from a carbon copy of his work with Iron Maiden. Many of the fans who knew him as Maiden's lead vocalist assumed that this solo debut would be Maiden-like - they expected an album of aggressive yet melodic fantasy Metal in the Maiden/Ronnie James Dio/Black Sabbath vein. But "Tattooed Millionaire" found Dickinson favoring more of a Hard Rock/Pop-Metal approach. This album is full of glossy and lighthearted Soft Metal that wouldn't be out of place on an album by Winger, Bon Jovi or Def Leppard.
The album project began when Dickinson was asked to record a song for "A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child", and so wrote "Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter". Collaborating with future Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers, Dickinson began creating a solo album, which was fundamentally different from his works with Iron Maiden, with a Hard Rock sound that is less Progressive.
"Lickin' the Gun" is more Aerosmith than King Diamond, and "Son of a Gun" is more Bad Company than Candlemass. And while some Maiden worshipers might prefer to hear Dickinson singing fantasy Metal, the fact is that "Tattooed Millionaire" is excellent. With this album, Dickinson did what fellow Brit Rob Halford did on some of Judas Priest's more commercial and Pop-influenced releases - he showed listeners another side of himself and demonstrated that he wasn't obligated to embrace fantasy Metal 100 percent of the time. For Dickinson, coming out with something more Pop-minded didn't mean being contrived or unimaginative. "Tattooed Millionaire", for all its Pop-Metal gloss, has a lot of guts, and Dickinson is consistently inspired whether he is embracing original material or providing a memorable remake of David Bowie's "All the Young Dudes".
On subsequent solo efforts like 1994's "Balls To Picasso" and 1998's "The Chemical Wedding", the British vocalist got back to fantasy Metal. However, he seemed to need a break from it in 1990, and "Tattooed Millionaire" turned out to be a most pleasant surprise!
"Bring Your Daughter... to the Slaughter" wasn't included on the original release, as Iron Maiden planned to record an alternate version for their 1990 album "No Prayer For The Dying", which went on to become the band's only number one single on the UK Singles Chart to date. The album did yield four Top 40 singles in the UK, with the lead and title single "Tattooed Millionaire", reaching no. 18. A cover of the David Bowie penned, Mott The Hoople hit "All The Young Dudes", was also a relative success, reaching no. 23.
Remastered 180 g vinyl in gatefold cover.
Air Raid Records/Duellist Holdings Ltd./Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG company, 1990/2017 (BMGCAT107LP). Made in the EU. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Son Of A Gun 5:52
2. Tattooed Millionaire 4:25
3. Born In '58 3:37
4. Hell On Wheels 3:36
5. Gypsy Road 3:59

Side Two
1. Dive! Dive! Dive! 4:39
2. All The Young Dudes (Mott The Hoople cover) 3:46
3. Lickin' The Gun 3:16
4. Zulu Lulu 3:24
5. No Lies 6:16

Total playing time: 43:21 min.

First re-release of the third full-length studio solo album by legendary British Heavy Metal singer.
"Skunkworks" is an Alternative Rock album. Originally, Bruce intended for "Skunkworks" to be the debut album of a band by the same name. However, the label would not publish the record under any other name than Bruce Dickinson. The album moved even further away from the Progressive sound of his former band Iron Maiden into an Alternative Rock sound similar to bands such as Soundgarden. The album was produced by Jack Endino, best known for producing Nirvana's first album. 
Displaying a sometimes Rush-like refined Prog Groove and plenty of his traditional science-and-literature lyrical themes, Bruce Dickinson deserves high marks for "Skunkworks". This 1996 release signals Dickinson's tentative shift toward music generally in tune with (but still somewhat restrained when compared to) his seminal work with Maiden. The occasionally over-serious, high-concept imagery is about what fans would expect, but the open, less Metallic accompaniment (that still Rocks by any standard) has a non-chronological familiarity.
Joining the singer on "Skunkworks" are musicians Alex Dickson (guitars), Alex Elena (drums), and Chris Dale (bass). Highlight tracks include "Solar Confinement", which while lyrically murky, has a great chorus, and the Soundgarden-esque "I Will Not Accept the Truth". "Headswitch" is also a treat, with its updated Deep Purple groove. This track also features some of Dickson's best work.
A year after "Skunkworks", Dickinson joined up with former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and made a more defined return to classic form. Most agree that the Smith period is the singer's finest, but "Skunkworks" has some merit of its own, foreshadowing what would become a highly approved stylistic shift!
Remastered 180 g double vinyl in gatefold cover.
Air Raid Records/Duellist Holdings Ltd./Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG company, 1996/2017 (BMGCAT109DLP). Made in the EU. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Space Race 3:47
2. Back From The Edge 4:17
3. Inertia 3:03
Side 2
4. Faith 3:36
5. Solar Confinement 3:19
6. Dreamstate 3:50
7. I Will Not Accept The Truth 3:46
Running time: 25:34 min.

Side 3
8. Inside The Machine 3:28
9. Headswitch 2:14
10. Meltdown 4:34
Side 4
11. Octavia 3:16
12. Innerspace 3:32
13. Strange Death In Paradise 5:01
Running time: 22:02 min.

Total playing time: 47:36 min.

For the first time on vinyl, the sixth full-length studio solo album by the legendary British Heavy Metal singer.
Dickinson's first solo album since rejoining Iron Maiden in 1999.
Singer, songwriter, pilot, author, fencing champion, air raid siren, and force of nature: Bruce Dickinson is simply a man for whom many of the normal rules and restrictions of life do not seem to apply. Heavy Metal’s premier Renaissance man is, of course, best known as vocalist and frontman with Iron Maiden, the greatest British Metal band of all time and, some four decades after they originally formed, still one of the most widely adored bands on the planet. But as anyone that has followed Bruce’s story will tell you, singing with Maiden is just one part of his grand, substantial and fascinating musical life. Remarkably, given that, he is just as likely to be found flying an airliner; Bruce has amassed a formidable catalogue as a solo artist, releasing six extraordinary studio albums that, at this point, represent his freewheeling efforts to date.
As the 20thcentury ground to a halt, Bruce was busy reconvening with the Iron Maiden family, and contributing to the most spectacular and undeniable comeback in heavy metal history. As a result, there was a brief pause in the forward grind of his solo work. But even as Maiden returned to the greatest of global heights, Bruce’s idiosyncratic muse was as restless as ever. Seven years on from the glories of “The Chemical Wedding”, the sixth chapter in the great man’s solo journey appeared. A more varied and introspective affair than its predecessor, “Tyranny Of Souls” touched upon balls-out Hard Rock ("Devil On A Hog"), gallivanting, state-of-the-art Melodic Metal ("Abduction") and hazy, Prog-fueled Psychedelia (the exquisite "Navigate The Seas Of The Sun" – a song inspired by cult author Erich von Däniken’s theory of extra-terrestrial life on Earth in the distant past). The album’s title track drew from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, with all the pitch-black melodrama that such a conceit demands, while "Kill Devil Hill" paid tribute to aviation pioneers the Wright Brothers’ first triumphant flight in 1903.
The songwriting on the album was split between Roy Z and Dickinson. During composition, Roy sent recordings of riffs to Dickinson, who was on tour with Iron Maiden. Dickinson subsequently wrote lyrics and melodies. Roy also served as the album's producer and played all guitar parts, as well as some supplemental bass guitar and piano parts.
The other players on the album were all connected to Roy Z through different projects. Z, bassist Ray "Geezer" Burke, and keyboardist Maestro Mistheria all contributed to vocalist Rob Rock's 2003 release, "Eyes Of Eternity". Drummer Dave Moreno and bassist Juan Perez were members of Z's Latin Rock band Tribe of Gypsies at the time.
Remastered 180 g vinyl in gatefold cover.
Air Raid Records/Duellist Holdings Ltd./Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG company, 2005/2017 (BMGCAT112LP). Made in the EU. Pressed in Czech. First press.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Mars Within 1:41
2. Abduction 3:52
3. Soul Intruders 3:54
4. Kill Devil Hill 5:09
5. Navigate The Seas Of The Sun 5:53

Side Two
1. River Of No Return 5:15
2. Power Of The Sun 3:31
3. Devil On A Hog 4:03
4. Believil 4:52
5. Tyranny Of Souls 5:54

Total playing time: 44:04 min.

Second remastered re-release of the fifth full-length studio solo album by the legendary British Heavy Metal singer.
With 1997's "Accident Of Birth", Bruce Dickinson returned to the top of the Heavy Metal food chain. It combined the right characteristics that a popular Metal record would need, and mashed them all together, creating an excellent atmosphere that satisfied fans all over the world. For his next studio effort, Bruce once again called up Accident of Birth's successful guitarist tandem, Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Roy Z. In 1998, Bruce Dickinson released "The Chemical Wedding" worldwide and once again, it was very well received. Once again, Bruce had shattered all expectations to create an album that might even be better than the previous one.
"The Chemical Wedding"'s sound is very similar to the previous album. Very heavy, yet at the same time, melody is still incorporated into the formula. Many of the songs are driven by aggressive, yet at the same time well thought out riffs. These riffs are very fitting with the sometimes angry or violent lyrical themes that are present. However, "The Chemical Wedding" still differs from "Accident Of Birth". On tracks such as the title cut, "Machine Men" or "The Alchemist" shows a more melodic side or Bruce Dickinson. These songs combine both the melody and heaviness. Professionally written and recorded, Bruce Dickinson once again pours his soul into his music, and the result is spectacular.
The record draws some inspiration from the works of William Blake, featuring sung and spoken excerpts of his prophetic works and poetry (notably And did those feet in ancient time on the track Jerusalem), and with cover art from his painting The Ghost of a Flea, although the name of the album and its title track derive from the Rosicrucian manifest the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz.
The film, "Chemical Wedding", with a screenplay by Dickinson, was released in May 2008. It features the title track from the album on its soundtrack, but concerns a story about the reincarnation of Aleister Crowley and is otherwise unrelated.
Before Bruce got back together with Iron Maiden in 1999, he released two essential Metal albums. "The Chemical Wedding" is one of those albums, and definitely the better of the two. It's definitely one of the best Metal albums of the late 90's!!
Limited Edition double Brown & Blue Coloured Vinyl in gatefold cover.
Air Raid Records/Duellist Holdings Ltd./Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG company, 1998/2017/2021 (BMGCAT111DLP | 5381614011). Made in the EU.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. King In Crimson 4:43 
2. Chemical Wedding 4:06 
3. The Tower 4:45 
Side Two
1. Killing Floor 4:29 
2. Book Of Thel 8:14 
Running time: 26:17 min.

Side Three
1. Gates Of Urizen 4:25 
2. Jerusalem 6:42 
3. Trumpets Of Jericho 5:59 
Side Four
1. Machine Men 5:41 
2. The Alchemist 8:28
Running time: 31:15 min.

Total playing time: 57:32 min.

Expanded Edition first remastered re-release of the second solo album by legendary British Heavy Metal singer, ex-vocalist of Iron Maiden.
The first album in Dickinson's solo career that was released after he had officially left Iron Maiden (although he rejoined again in 1999). This record marked the beginning of Dickinson's collaborations with guitarist Roy Z, who would work on many of Dickinson's later albums, including "Accident Of Birth", "The Chemical Wedding" and "Tyranny Of Souls".
Dickinson started working on his second solo album while still in Iron Maiden. For the very first recording sessions, he recruited the British band Skin. Not satisfied with the style of the effort, Dickinson aborted the recording. His next attempt at a second solo album was a collaboration with producer Keith Olsen. Dickinson decided to scrap this project as well and teamed up with guitarist Roy Z and his band Tribe Of Gypsies to write and record "Balls To Picasso". The song "Change of Heart" was originally written and demoed by Roy Z and vocalist Rob Rock with their band Driver. Dickinson changed the lyrics for the version that was recorded for "Balls To Picasso". Z and Rock finally recorded and released their version when Driver reunited for their 2008 debut album, "Sons Of Thunder". Songs from the previous recording sessions later resurfaced as B-sides on Singles from "Balls To Picasso" and subsequently also as bonus tracks on the album's 2005 Extended Edition.
Stylistically, "Balls To Picasso" departs from "Tattooed Millionaire", but is still more traditional-sounding than the follow-up album "Skunkworks". Later, Dickinson said that he and Roy Z were talked into making the album less heavy than it should have been.
In a 1996 interview with Tom Russell of Glasgow-based Radio Clyde 1, Bruce revealed that the album was originally to be titled "Laughing In The Hiding Bush". The artwork was designed by Storm Thorgerson – but they couldn't afford it. His album's title was changed, and he drew two squares on a toilet wall for the cover, and Thorgerson's artwork later ended up as the cover for the Anthrax album "Stomp 442". In the Anthology DVD, Dickinson said that he regrets not naming the album Laughing in the Hiding Bush after the song of the same name. The song itself is dedicated to his son, Austin, who penned the title. Thorgerson later did the artwork for Bruce's "Skunkworks" album.
Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company, 1994/2005 (SMEDD199). Made in the EU.


Tracklist:

CD1: Original Album
1. Cyclops 7:56
2. Hell No 5:11
3. Gods Of War 5:01
4. 1000 Points Of Light 4:24
5. Laughing In The Hiding Bush 4:20
6. Change Of Heart 4:59
7. Shoot All The Clowns 4:23
8. Fire 4:27
9. Sacred Cowboys 3:51
10. Tears Of The Dragon 6:20
Running time: 50:52 min.

Disc 2: Bonus Tracks
1. Fire Child 6:24
2. Elvis Has Left The Building 3:23
3. The Breeding House 5:18
4. No Way Out...To Be Continued 7:31
5. Tears Of The Dragon (Acoustic Chillout) 4:32
6. Winds Of Change 4:14
7. Spirit Of Joy 3:13
8. Over And Out 4:32
9. Shoot All The Clowns (12" Extended Remix) 5:39
10. Laughing In The Hiding Bush (Live) 4:17
11. The Post Alternative Seattle Fall Out (Live) 5:04
12. Shoot All The Clowns (7" Remix) 4:17
13. Tibet 3:02
14. Tears Of The Dragon (First Bit, Long Bit, Last Bit) 8:20
15. Cadillac Gas Mask 4:09
16. No Wayout...Continued 5:29
Running time: 79:24 min.

Total playing time: 130:16 min.

The sixth full-length studio solo album by the legendary British Heavy Metal singer.
Dickinson's first solo album since rejoining Iron Maiden in 1999.
Singer, songwriter, pilot, author, fencing champion, air raid siren, and force of nature: Bruce Dickinson is simply a man for whom many of the normal rules and restrictions of life do not seem to apply. Heavy Metal’s premier Renaissance man is, of course, best known as vocalist and frontman with Iron Maiden, the greatest British Metal band of all time and, some four decades after they originally formed, still one of the most widely adored bands on the planet. But as anyone that has followed Bruce’s story will tell you, singing with Maiden is just one part of his grand, substantial and fascinating musical life. Remarkably, given that, he is just as likely to be found flying an airliner; Bruce has amassed a formidable catalogue as a solo artist, releasing six extraordinary studio albums that, at this point, represent his freewheeling efforts to date.
As the 20thcentury ground to a halt, Bruce was busy reconvening with the Iron Maiden family, and contributing to the most spectacular and undeniable comeback in heavy metal history. As a result, there was a brief pause in the forward grind of his solo work. But even as Maiden returned to the greatest of global heights, Bruce’s idiosyncratic muse was as restless as ever. Seven years on from the glories of “The Chemical Wedding”, the sixth chapter in the great man’s solo journey appeared. A more varied and introspective affair than its predecessor, “Tyranny Of Souls” touched upon balls-out Hard Rock ("Devil On A Hog"), gallivanting, state-of-the-art Melodic Metal ("Abduction") and hazy, Prog-fueled Psychedelia (the exquisite "Navigate The Seas Of The Sun" – a song inspired by cult author Erich von Däniken’s theory of extra-terrestrial life on Earth in the distant past). The album’s title track drew from Shakespeare’s Macbeth, with all the pitch-black melodrama that such a conceit demands, while "Kill Devil Hill" paid tribute to aviation pioneers the Wright Brothers’ first triumphant flight in 1903.
The songwriting on the album was split between Roy Z and Dickinson. During composition, Roy sent recordings of riffs to Dickinson, who was on tour with Iron Maiden. Dickinson subsequently wrote lyrics and melodies. Roy also served as the album's producer and played all guitar parts, as well as some supplemental bass guitar and piano parts.
The other players on the album were all connected to Roy Z through different projects. Z, bassist Ray "Geezer" Burke, and keyboardist Maestro Mistheria all contributed to vocalist Rob Rock's 2003 release, "Eyes Of Eternity". Drummer Dave Moreno and bassist Juan Perez were members of Z's Latin Rock band Tribe of Gypsies at the time.
Duellist Holdings Ltd./Mayan Records, a Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG company, 2005 (MYNCD035). Made in UK.


Tracklist:
1. Mars Within 1:41
2. Abduction 3:52
3. Soul Intruders 3:54
4. Kill Devil Hill 5:09
5. Navigate The Seas Of The Sun 5:53
6. River Of No Return 5:15
7. Power Of The Sun 3:31
8. Devil On A Hog 4:03
9. Believil 4:52
10. Tyranny Of Souls 5:54
Total playing time: 44:04 min.