Bruce Dickinson - The Mandrake Project and setlist choices

Iron Maiden frontman, airline pilot, fencer, author, and all round metal legend Bruce Dickinson came into the Planet Rock studios to chat to Paul Anthony about his new solo album The Mandrake Project.
As well as how he came up with the name, Bruce also discussed being inspired by Black Sabbath's album art, choosing his band, Roy Z's decision to sit out the tour, his insanely popular in-store appearances, choosing his setlist, and revisiting his old albums Skunkworks, The Chemical Wedding, Accident of Birth and more...
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#brucedickinson #themandrakeproject #ironmaiden ‪@BruceDickinsonYT‬

[@barbaragratton1911]

My daughter and I,went to HMV in London.Weather was cold,to wait outside.We meet Brucie,he is very nice and funny guy. It was great to meet him in person,at last.Barbara&Charley.❤️😘

[@tamasbodnar1729]

The new album I listened to Bruce and if you're reading this it's fantastic, been a Maiden fan since the Killers album thank you for a lifetime of wonderful music, I'm really overjoyed for you you made a killer album Bruce. 🤘🤪🤘

[@devil2jz500]

I loved the album! Very different and mature.

[@luis_e_saavedra]

Brilliant and powerful album! Cheers from Chile!

[@riffmagos]

I fully agree. I loved it.

[@jacobscully4707]

I'd love to hear Strange Death in Paradise off Skunkworks. Please come to Philly!

[@toddlesiak3837]

Skunkworks has a few decent tracks, best one being "Inside The Machine," but that's definitely Bruce's worst solo effort which is a bit SKUNKY!

[@Dogtown16v]

Love the Skunkworks album,I know it’s not kinda straight forward metal etc. And I was well into alternative rock round the time this album came out. But never did understand why this album gets slated.

[@toddlesiak3837]

@@Dogtown16vIt mainly gets slated because most of the songs on that album are just simply not very good... not because it's not pure metal. I really like "Inside The Machine" & that's about it

[@vargvolknor6665]

The old Maiden days.....would play two nights at the Spectrum

[@PopUpPirate1975]

Skunkworks is a fantastic album. Been a Maiden and Bruce fan since 1990, along with AMOLAD two of the best post-1990 albums.

[@RamonvanderWoning]

Skunkworks is a GREAT album.

[@CoolMikey81]

It’s not bad. it’s different then he’s others..but different is not a bad thing. I might have to play this album again and see where I stand on it

[@marcelo.bassalo]

Skunkworks would be great live for another tour. Saw him live in Brazil and it was great.

[@Leeming1989]

Wouldn’t mind if he play the entire album!

[@tapanim6576]

Bruce is brilliant 😎👍. The new album is great. 🤘😎🤘

[@mudbuttjones]

Bruce is the goat 🤘🥰🤘

[@mariedoyle2790]

Bruce is the Goat

[@MercuryLeo555]

Hello, Love Iron maiden, Bruce Dickinson and Steve Harris, Both seem like great guys. 🙂😀❤

[@GarryParker]

Skunkworks is awesome, it would be cool to hear some songs off there in the live show.

[@chernobylAlimentos]

I'd love to hear Back from the edge, from the skunkworks album!

[@slobodanmedojevic6336]

His best song!

[@michaeldean7220]

Definitely one of the strongest songs from that album.

[@WrathChild666]

Went to the HMV Cardiff midnight launch, what a great evening and Bruce, lovely as always! Definitely Can’t wait for the Tour! 😎🤟

[@robinsings]

See isn't it nice to just have a good time.. my goodness creativity is life afterall.❤

[@CymruCelt01]

Love the new album. Each song is like a nod to every era in rock/metal. It’s great

[@andycuthbert2763]

Seeing the great man in Glasgow soon. Would love to hear ‘The breeding house’. Killer guitar solo🤘

[@jetcity18]

I’d love to hear some songs from Skunkworks on this tour. By far my favourite Bruce solo record!

[@milancrhak6773]

great video I love it Bruce maybe who can visit next is Rob Halford 😉

[@Dogtown16v]

Can’t wait to see Bruce play his solo tracks in May.

[@tobias.edelmann]

I‘d love to hear the whole album!

[@shanecopner7827]

Lovely interview paul and bruce

[@esteeb67]

The album is great. I hope he tours my part of the States.

[@Tyldenfilm]

Yes, please play something off of "Skunkworks"

[@Thirdfish]

I'd prefer there not to be any Maiden songs in the set, his solo work stands up on its own.

[@markw.loughton6786]

There won't be.

[@logandumont]

I agree. Unless it’s a maiden tune that never gets performed live.

[@Thirdfish]

@@logandumont Nah he has more than enough songs from his solo albums, If Eternity was a song Maiden borrowed and he's adapted it, slowed it down and that's enough I think.

[@logandumont]

@@jman9838 he’s already sold out most of the shows on his tour lol……….try again

[@JCRS92]

​@@jman9838 have you listened to Chemical Wedding, Accident of Birth or Tyranny of Souls? These 3 albums were absolute comercial successes. Plenty of songs there... but then again, you might get off with petty intrigue in YT comment sections.

[@mornejoubert8416]

Great album! Can't wait for the show in Swansea.

[@danielpriestley2950]

Bruce’s solo albums have always been top notch. The new album is so much better than any of the last few Maiden albums.

[@djmortimer2978]

Great interview!

[@Therionsylar]

Skunkworks is my favorite album, please play at least one song from it on this tour ! :P

[@jasoncrook1]

I saw Bruce on his Tattooed millionaire tour and it’s still one of the best gigs I’ve been to 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@JasonSBashant-METAL666]

Hopefully a Nashville date asap....saw his spoken word there a few years back....seen Maiden 9 times and there are so many great tracks to finally behold...make it so, #1!

[@ismetyalimalatli7581]

I always say this, I thought I was a Maiden fan until I heard Accident of Birth. Looking foreward to the show.

[@danw4490]

I love the new album. Bruce is the best in metal. Period.

[@jeffreykoger3978]

Flying over from the U.S. for Glasgow and Manchester!

[@HaraldEngels]

Fantastic record. I have to congratulate him for this achievement. It seems that some musicians (Bruce Dickinson and KK Downing) are flourishing when they are not longer captives of their old bands.

[@sarastone8280]

So Exciting B🤘

[@darthraver]

I'm going to the Wolverhampton show!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@LS-uw5on]

Saw Bruce in the 90's on tattooed millionaire tour fantastic, best gig ever still to this day and the loudest. E2a and I'll be there at this one too 😊

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Nice 👍

[@davesky538]

Mandrake very lovely!

[@petershortland478]

New album is great very heavy and greatly produced

[@cbFIN]

Skunkworks is the best. Took me 29 years to really appreciate it full time, now it's official (for me that is).

[@LeeGee]

Bought my ticket the moment it came about because I can't imagine Bruce doing anything I don't like.

[@robteka]

From Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I have my ticket already. April 30.

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

BRUCE IS THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN OUR BAND .............WITHOUT A DOUBT

[@tommyflann]

I'm looking forward to some US east coast tour dates...🙏

[@ironmilton]

If we’re lucky, maybe 2025 he’ll do some more dates

[@seanpv6677]

See you all in Orange County in April!

[@yiannisgedeon9038]

Seen balls to picasso live back end of 90s, acoustic set in Athens (camel club). it wasnt bad just weird hehe. The Chemical Wedding tour was a banger though so i wish i could have tickets for London but oh well, next time

[@michaeldean7220]

How great would it be if janick or Adrian could make a guest appearance at one of the gigs.

[@andysteele5707]

Chemical wedding is brilliant album. Saw him in 97 at Wolverhampton.

[@joddeurter2448]

all the young dudes is the best song he ever wrote!!!

[@ChesterMeadows]

Love Maiden love Bruce but gotta hand it to Priest for their latest effort! Incredible❤

[@erayibrahimoglu]

Will there be navigate the seas of the sun or man of sarrows in the setlist ?

[@ixxgxx]

the album rocks

[@danieltoogood9385]

I bought tickets after only hearing one song once.. it's simple, Bruce sings...I go!

[@davidmuttillo2806]

Hopefully this tour will be Bruce Dickinson solo material only.

[@mattbarbarich3295]

Heard its brilliant, hope its on cd still, new vinyl releases cost a fortune unfortunetly. Do a Aussie tour Bruce.

[@MosoKaiser]

It absolutely is on CD as well.

[@ruslanbedoev9264]

A Gem and 💎💎💎💎💎🤟🤟🤟💖

[@expendable7281]

Play many doors to hell , best song on album ❤

[@normanmacfarlane6724]

Bloody great album .

[@AcousticBeerd]

Inertia would be very welcomed if included on the setlist

[@CoolMikey81]

i thought it was Brian May for a second 😂🤣

[@sarastone8280]

💋

[@EddieTheHeadFanClub-ETHFC]

Great album Bruce!🤘

[@SMEDSRUDmusic]

If You like radio rock, its IMO fucking boring, just like maiden are

[@Thirdfish]

Blowing out someone's candle doesn't make yours shine any brighter.@@SMEDSRUDmusic

[@michaelmccue2403]

All hail the mighty Bruce

[@SuperNovaForTheBlind15]

Balls to Picasso is just fine the way it is , Says the screaming DNA 🧬 of the Mandrake root , who knows the frontier is final & the Time is short , as it is written , so it shall be done , & the Name Hollowed & Holy ! Vise versa ? (565) 💯 Organic light !

[@ZoomZoom-ng6sn]

....the Alan's Project...... that's funny. LOL

[@nikolakanchev3259]

I hope we hear something from Skunkworks.

[@libero3493]

He said recently that there won't be almost any skunkwork's songs

[@rumple440]

@@libero3493Read what you typed.

[@nikolakanchev3259]

@@libero3493 I was expecting none, so that's something...

[@libero3493]

@@nikolakanchev3259 yeah... and it's a shame, I really like that album

[@nikolakanchev3259]

@@libero3493 Same. 😀

[@stephenramos2824]

I don't get how bruce has never been on jre.

[@thegekko5262]

Who is the hairy dude

[@Thirdfish]

Planet Rock Presenter Paul Anthony.

[@brucedickinson12]

Newcastle forgotten by him and maiden

[@user-yj2db3gx9u]

Never forget Dresden 1945

[@DarkQuiet]

I don't care what his setlist is because he won't tour anywhere near me so I'll never get to see it. If he was going to record a live album from the tour then I would have a lot of suggestions as to what I would want to be on the live album, however If Roy Z isn't going to play on it the whole thing is moot. He shouldn't record a live album without Roy Z.

[@paulwoodcock764]

the title mandrake makes me think of someone half man & half duck . there is a duck called a drake isnt there ?

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

I'd prefer where to be no Maiden songs and no Mandrake Project songs as well. Just do Skunkworks.

[@Hobbit691]

A Mandrake is the root of a plant.

[@TheLotusManFILMs.]

4:35 Like the terrible Maiden cover Dance Of Death.

[@joddeurter2448]

it's not a cover, written by maiden

[@metalknight4388]

my setlist speculation Afterglow of Ragnarok Many Doors To Hell Rain on the Graves The Chemical Wedding Navigate the Seas of the Sun Ressurection Men Eternity Has Failed Mistress of Mercy The Book of Thel Accident of Birth Darkside of Aquarius Shadow of The Gods Tears of the Dragon

[@Dogtown16v]

He said he’ll only play four new songs.

[@joddeurter2448]

wow, thanks!!!

[@alecesarv]

Una decepción de principio a fin el ultimo álbum... Para el olvido

[@jonybeam21]

Please please please play any album EXCEPT Skunkworks

[@davidmuttillo2806]

Roy Z. never plays live. He's a great studio musician. He has never proven himself as a live musician and probably doesn't have the will to do so. There's a lot one can do in a studio as a musician that is far harder to do on stage. Roy Z. knows that better than we do. Thus he is "too busy" to tour and always will be.

[@CoolMikey81]

But he has played live with Bruce

[@marcel-rogerfalk2778]

And I also regret buying a really expensive ticket 🤦👎

[@rabarebra]

Most boring album in a long long time. Played the LP once, and that's it.

[@GrimssonGallows]

I pre-ordered his new album and then cancelled it after listening to his first three singles. It sounds weak and mediocre to his past 3 heaviest offerings.

[@smacleod69]

Bruces new album, listening to his voice. Its feels dry and his heart isn't in it.

[@Thirdfish]

Bruce is 65 years old, most singers his age have lost their vocal range by half, and to say his heart isn't in it is sheer stupidity.

[@smacleod69]

@@Thirdfish Its not stupidity, Bruce still has a great voice. Age has nothing to do with it. He does not have the same energy and passion into this album.

[@Thirdfish]

Mate, age has everything to do with it, he is almost 20 years older than when he did his last solo album, give the man some respect. He is lucky to have kept most of his vocal range.@@smacleod69

[@SMEDSRUDmusic]

Bad and boring pop album, radiofreindly boring rock, same all over again… recycled riffs , honestly im tired of his voice, opera, Why cant he try to sing different some times…. I was a huge maiden fan after 88 no good albums just some decent songs here and There

[@user-wu6jf1hu5r]

Well just be happy while we still have him, not all artists got only good albums all the time...

[@Thirdfish]

OK Sparky... Why doesn't Rob Halford choose a different vocal style, the answer is he doesn't need to because it is Rob Halford and what makes him so, same goes for Bruce. Trolling on here just makes you look a sad bitter old man.

[@kilroy4103]

Poor baby, maybe next time he'll call you personally and ask you how he should make his next solo or next Iron Maiden record. I'm sure he'll keep you in mind when he does it. And perhaps you can produce it and have the way you want it.

[@marekrossi9365]

Agreed. And Sanjitsu is pure crap.

[@timbaker4253]

@@Thirdfishhalford sings in many different styles - far more diverse than Dickenson

[@simonnomis5302]

awful ...

[@Thirdfish]

Go home you're drunk.

[@hellterskeltor]

This album to me is a absolute masterpiece loving every track on the album.

[@vladpav]

4:20 it sound like mandrake root - deep purple as you are big fan of deep purple :)

[@mariedoyle2790]

Bruce is the Goat

[@mariedoyle2790]

Bruce is the Goat