Bruce Dickinson: 'The Mandrake Project' - how good is it?

A review of the new Bruce Dickinson album 'The Mandrake Project' and an unboxing of the vinyl that accompanies it. Fabulous:
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DISCLAIMER: This video features materials protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act. Clips are used with commentary for educational purposes.
#brucedickinson #ironmaiden #classicalbum

[@brewt1mer]

Looking forward to hearing and enjoying it for myself..and the new judas priest album too.

[@moneortiz1614]

It's so cool how Bruce is standing there in the stones circle, reminiscent from Sad Hill Cemetery.

[@teemuk1225]

Great album, for me, it's in the top 3 for Bruce

[@billbez7465]

Look forward to hearing the album, and thank you for another excellent pre-release un-wrapping. Almost ready to buy a few new vinyl records. Resurrected my 50 year old Thorens turntable yesterday after getting an external preamp.

[@dazzleships]

The “reviewer” doesn’t even own a turntable. He states that on his eBay page where he sells all the free promo items he receives. 👎🏼

[@CDPA7]

My vinyl came 2 days early 👀 what is this magic? I’m telling the church!

[@drtopus]

Thanks! Very good review... I can't wait to receive the vinyl!

[@classicalbum]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@TheGuitarCurator]

March 1st can't come soon enough! I've been looking forward to this album for so many years (almost 20). 'Balls to Picasso', 'Accident of Birth' and 'The Chemical Wedding' were the soundtracks of my teenage years (with some 'Skunkworks' mixed in there too, of course). Tyranny of Souls was great as well, but I guess the touring with Iron Maiden and all of his other side projects kept this one from us... until now! As much as I like Maiden, the solo stuff Bruce has done with Roy Z is some of my most favourite music. Thank you for the sneak peak!

[@brucedickinson12]

The 2 tracks i have heard I'm not impressed

[@LS-uw5on]

Nice little review thank you for the preview.

[@rushbravado1972]

I am looking forward to getting this album. Bruce has a great solo catalog and this one should be no different. I love the idea that it is dark and foreboding.

[@lorrainebowe9585]

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do

[@ralfpl]

9/10 great output.

[@MosherBear]

Can't wait for the album, can't wait until Bruce visits Swansea as part of the tour.

[@lorrainebowe9585]

I have got the Mandrake project on CD And i have to admit its a brilliant album i love the video to rain on the graves and Afterglow of Ragnorok the Resurrection men has a black sabbath influence in the guitar riffs and my favourite is fingers in the wounds i love the album and all the songs I recommend this to anyone who likes Bruce Dickinson and Iron maiden

[@gavintyte4996]

Ikea lol the god of missing screws.Thanks for your review looking forward to it keep up the good work.

[@robertovalentini4732]

Best comment E-V-E-R !!!

[@SimonHolcroft]

Only heard the singles so far. Ragnarok didn't do much for me, but Rain on the Grave I enjoyed quite a bit. Looking forward to checking the rest out.

[@JeffRogers1962]

Like the vinyl . However, I think the CD box looks better value as it comes with a nice-looking comic booklet.

[@andrewgraham5527]

Nice one Barry

[@carlnoonan1861]

Thanks for the video. Judging from the comments it seems there’s a fair bit of negativity towards this album. I’m looking forward to hearing it so I can make my own mind up. Just a little nitpick, the glossy finish on the sleeves is not embossing, it’s spot varnishing.

[@classicalbum]

I don't understand the negativity, I absolutly love it... but we are all entitled to our own opinions I guess.

[@carlnoonan1861]

I owe you an apology regarding my comment about the glossy finish on the sleeve. In your video you described the finish as ‘embossed ‘and I posted a comment saying that type of finish is called ‘Spot Varnishing’. From the video it was hard to see but you were right about embossing on the front cover. Unusually though, they have combined both embossing and spot varnishing to get that special effect. I’ve never seen it done like that before , it’s usually one or the other.

[@QUEENVB1]

Balls to Picasso ❤❤❤❤❤

[@markobasnec6672]

7.5/10 after 2 listens to the album, very specific. Mistress of mercy and Shadows of the Gods best songs for now...

[@jackbrel]

And now ?

[@jondevon64]

Have the blue vinyl edition coming on friday and will get the comic book edition CD as well never been that keen on Bruce's solo stuff but this sounds good and will be at the Forum in may.

[@thecrimsonidol7253]

Well… Bruce is a dramatic tenor. He has a specific singing technique, which is why today he only sounds good in the middle register. Anything above G4 should not be used, unless at the moment of climax he can take A4 beautifully. The sound production of the instruments is not ideal, but you can listen. It's difficult to say about the material itself. This is a subjective factor. However, I definitely liked four tracks: Fingers In The Wounds, Face In The Mirror, Shadows Of The Gods and Sonata.

[@haroldpramhas9807]

I like the two singles a lot.

[@jeffreykoger3978]

Great review! Really looking forward to this record. I'm flying over from the U.S. to see him in Glasgow and Manchester. Cheers!

[@MUFSpoiler]

very stupid to fly for this. climate change? heard about it ??

[@TheMetalBlock380]

Such a killer album!

[@QUEENVB1]

Skunkwork ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Yellowblam]

Staz Johnson..great 2000AD artist.

[@TheBlazzzek1]

Eternity has Failed is just , what the World is become,... i did not expect this,... it is a MASTERPEACE 👌🔥🙌

[@andreaserblin3205]

It's Maiden song and even worst version. Laziness

[@jotley73]

​@@andreaserblin3205no this was the original version

[@andreaserblin3205]

@@jotley73 it is from Book Of Souls. It's Maiden song.

[@jotley73]

​@andreaserblin3205 yes but it was written by Briuce for his solo records not a Maiden composition originally Harry liked it and requested Maiden record it for the BOS

[@andreaserblin3205]

@@jotley73 i didn't know. I thought he was lazy to do a new song. Thank you.

[@billvrabel1502]

Roy Z missed the mark on this one as far as production - those beefy guitar tones and superb dynamics found on Accident and Chemical just aren't there. It's not a bad album though but could have used more bite on the heavy tracks and more memorable melodies on the slower ones. A generous 6/10

[@stephanea5364]

Guess you listen to it with cheap headphones and cheap system

[@danielbarajas1705]

Mr expert

[@C64Mat]

Totally agree. Muddy is the word.

[@qdaveq6597]

Does it include his duet with Daltrey "Oops, We Didn't Mean That Bit"?

[@DM-rc4yu]

Huge Bruce fan and I prefer his solo albums to most of Maiden stuff but the two songs i've heard did not blow me away. I was expecting more from Roy Z but I need to hear the whole thing first. I very much doubt that it is on par with Chemical, Accident or Tyranny but I hope it's at least Skunkworks good.

[@metalknight4388]

Interesting album...not quite what I was expecting after all the hype but I think it's a grower not shower. Great vocals from Bruce but honestly not too much to offer from Roy Z this time (if only Adrian could have been on this album!) Closing track is pretty cool though 🤘🏻

[@mikesclassicrock9745]

Good solid album probably for me second best album after Chemical Wedding 🤘

[@robertovalentini4732]

It's on par with TCW. Possibly better (!!!!).

[@Therionsylar]

@@robertovalentini4732 non sense, not even close

[@mikesclassicrock9745]

@@TherionsylarEveryone hearing music differently, solid album in my opinion 👍

[@robertovalentini4732]

@@Therionsylar Skunkworks at first place. It says all. And why did you change your nickname? To pretend to be someone else? I'm tracking you, LOL🤣

[@robertovalentini4732]

@@TherionsylarAnd, just to be a little more specific, Shadow of the Gods alone slaughters EVERYTHING is on Skunk. A sort of The Alchemist but version 3.1

[@MrDantres]

Great review, very elequent and fair. This album is a solid 8/10, imo.

[@robertovalentini4732]

9/10

[@Therionsylar]

4/10 (4 good songs, 6 boring ones)

[@jonybeam21]

just downloaded it and here's my rating for each track: 1. Afterglow Of Ragnarok 5/10 (Just ok) 2. Many Doors To Hell 8/10 (excellent rocking song that should be included in the live setlist) 3. Rain On The Graves 7/10 (good) 4. Resurrection Men 7/10 (different style and nice tempo) 5. Fingers In The Wounds 6.5/10 6. Eternity Has Failed 8/10 (A far better version that on BoS - brilliant solo is the best on the album) 7. Mistress Of Mercy 5/10 (a bit dull and forgettable) 8. Face In The Mirror 5/10 (not a bad song but not in the same league as a scorpions style ballad) 9. Shadow Of The Gods 8/10 (another that should be in the setlist.Might have been a 9 if it had a longer guitar solo but has about a short 15 second one like a few other songs on the album) 10. Sonata (Immortal Beloved) 7/10 (not enough variation for a 10 minute song and i'm someone who loves long tracks with loads of twists and turns but this has none.Still good though and certainly different) Overall score - 6.5/10 (better than the first 3 albums but not as good as the last 3 and nowhere near Chemical Wedding standards)

[@robertovalentini4732]

@am21Fingers and Mistress amongst the best on the record. Beaten only by Shadows (9/10). According to many, not just me.

[@Therionsylar]

@@jonybeam21 good review and i agree with most of what you've said. A lot of paid reviews praise that album like it was on par with CW (they had no choice if they want to keep their privileges to receive the album before everybody), but its ridiculous to say that, its not even close. When it will be release tomorrow, will see that fans will rate this album as average or below average, im pretty sure.

[@azwris]

I have the impression that Bruce's voice sounds better on this album because most of these recordings probably took place before the Senjutsu ones. I am not sure though. He sounds great indeed and I liked the album a lot but it's not better than Accident/Chemical/Tyranny. Resurrection Men is one of his best songs for sure. The vinyl looks very nice but I will buy the CD as my turntable is long gone.

[@robertovalentini4732]

On Hell on Earth (to say one) he sounds GREAT.

[@azwris]

@@elimalinsky7069 Okay but did he actually mention somewhere, that he has indeed recorded all of the new album in early 2023? This is the point.

[@joshuacottton6985]

Maiden have been recording everything in one or two takes for years now, it's especially bad for Bruce and makes him sound rough

[@GoNorthDesign]

Just preordered, thank you! But I did change my selection from the deluxe CD to the basic one. I thought the deluxe version came with the entire comic, but it’s only a sample of it. And for (almost) 3x the price it wasn’t worth it.

[@backrowbrighton]

Useful to know, thanks. I've now just done the same.

[@GoNorthDesign]

@@backrowbrighton I just bought it at my local record store and I feel like a schmuck because I didn't realize the deluxe version is like a mini boxset, 8" or so big with a nice sized preview comic. I thought it was just a digibook-sized thing. Anyways, carry on. :)

[@EduFirenze]

Are you gonna review Ace Fhreley's 10k volts ?

[@classicalbum]

If he sends me a copy

[@chrismatthews8717]

Ikea!?! A Norse god? 😂 You forgot to mention Saab, the goddess of travel and sidewinder missiles, and Volvo, the god of being boxy but functional.

[@anachronistofer]

Ikea... Ha! I see what Barry did there. ;-) So no galloping bass lines on this one?

[@classicalbum]

No ... darker, fluctuating between bright acoustic tones and metal sludge... love it

[@QUEENVB1]

Tyranny of souls ❤❤❤❤

[@j.d.thompson3505]

What about The Melvins new song and record?

[@user-ru4ct2ul5r]

Will Bruce actually release a good solo album at last, If Ace Frehley can, then who knows , me I think it will disappear up Bruce’s bottom, but just imagine how he is going to dress up live, with his rubber swords etc.

[@user-rl5gq4rg1n]

you should listen to it again maybe you will like it more

[@Bwarock]

5 tracks in, not very so far. And it sounds like a bedroom production.

[@stephanea5364]

Bedroom prod? LOL Tell me you listened to it on a cheap device

[@iRemol]

9/10. It leaked on torrents.

[@shawndaniels1691]

That's really smart to admit outwardly that you use torrents

[@DM-rc4yu]

@@shawndaniels1691 Why, what's gonna happen to him?

[@Therionsylar]

@@DM-rc4yu lol nothing, scarring people with 'torrents' feels like 2003

[@QUEENVB1]

Accident of birth ❤❤❤❤❤

[@QUEENVB1]

Chemical wedding ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@QUEENVB1]

Tattooed ... ❤❤❤❤

[@alexgram1276]

I think it is ok, Judas Priest new album seems like light years ahead tho

[@stephanea5364]

LOL Priest is so generic now

[@maximwinner5326]

3/5 album

[@SteveStrummerUK]

I realise this may sound heretical to many. but I much prefer Bruce's solo work to Maiden's output since he rejoined the band in 1999. The pre-releases from The Mandrake Project sound epic but focussed, nay interesting, unlike virtually every sprawling, predictable, sleep-inducing track on Senjutsu. Maybe Steve Harris should let more of Bruce's influence pervade the songwriting for future Maiden albums. Cool review by the way, I can't wait to receive my copy of the album.

[@themadmattster9647]

Maiden also got rid of most of their actual guitar harmonies

[@moneortiz1614]

If only they would write shorter songs and more riffs driven, perfect formula.

[@cbr9914]

i don't know why they've dropped the ball with poly lined sleeves.....all the other maidn reissues came in good poly sleeves....but my # of the beast/hammersmith vinyl had those awful cardstock sleeves....the vinyls were scuffed and scratched to hell from all the pressing plant gunk/dust in the jackets pressed into the grooves. i could barely get the records out, they were so vacuum sealed. i bought 2 copies, and they were both like this. hoping my copy of mandrake isn't the same issue

[@jasonkennedy3517]

Those two albums Bruce reelased in the late 90s were amazing but i fear without Roy Z and Adrian Smith, this album will fall flat.

[@Therionsylar]

Roy Z is part of that album

[@QUEENVB1]

The mandrake ... ❤❤ Not for me ...Sorry bruce 💔 🙏 but up the irons ❤❤❤❤❤

[@bv3bv334]

Never got the BD/Maiden thing. As a vocalist, he does nothing for me. Seems a great guy, though.

[@JonMallek]

Stinks!

[@warnerbasement1628]

Is it THE Bruce Dickinson?

[@MUFSpoiler]

you cannot rate an album after some days!!

[@adamski101]

Only played it once but I'm disappointed so far. I hope it's a grower. It just seems less heavy and the guitar solos are on the whole short and unmemorable. At this point I can safely say that it is certainly no Accident Of Birth or Chemical Wedding. I'm baffled by all the "it's his best album yet" reviews in the metal press.

[@robinlove6981]

It's very average from start to finish. Bruce shines far better in this project far better than the previous two maiden records. But musically and lyrically it feels corny and flat throughout. If it wasn't Bruce this would be a quickly forgotten album

[@bonehead797]

I'm a huge Dickinson and Maiden fan but I really don't like this album, I found it horrible. I'm probably be in the minority in this opinion so I'm happy for all those who do enjoy it, it's just not my jam.

[@SteveStrummerUK]

It hasn't been released yet.

[@bonehead797]

@@SteveStrummerUK Still heard it. What's your point?

[@Therionsylar]

for me its his 3rd worst album, after Tattooed and Balls to Picasso. really disappointing

[@bonehead797]

@@Therionsylar I'd take those two over this one, for me only Skunkworks is worst. I could bet if it didn't have Dickinson's name on this, it would be trashed like crazy. But since it's Bruce, people will have rose colored glassed (or the equivalent to ears) when listening to this.

[@Therionsylar]

@bonehead797 Skunkworks is its best imo :P my fav Bruce album.

[@FabioMariani23]

Bruce had to invest in stories and magazines, because the album is shit. Ordinary songs and Bruce's worst vocal performance. It's the only bad album in his solo career.

[@Imthat676]

Sad, but it sucks.

[@jackbrel]

Your com ?

[@jamieagemusic]

It might grow on me but so far disappointed. Production feels weak sounds like demos, no beefy guitar tones and memorable riffs/solos, my favourite are singles and eternity

[@devilpuppetsinc]

Agreed, I’ve listened four times now on different speakers and the production is awful. The instruments sound cheap, many songs are a muddy mess of noise, and the writing is repetitive and boring. I wasn’t too excited based on the singles but it’s worse than I expected. I have found a bit here or there that I like but mostly I don’t see myself purchasing this.

[@jamieagemusic]

@@devilpuppetsinc It's a shame cause I loved what Roy Z did on the previous albums he definitely has the chops. Production money went towards comics most likely.

[@bgmchrisc]

Bruce has lost the plot, it seems. Anytime an artist starts making records with books or comics tied in, it just tells me they know they don't have songs that can stand on their own. Such a shame two decades of waiting results in so much disappointment.

[@mylovemachine]

At least listen to it first before you condemn it

[@robertovalentini4732]

Ok,Ok

[@Alexg2g1]

didnt like it at all im so sad :/ fromt the whole album only 2 songs are good shadow of the gods and if eternity has failed for me :/

[@andrewseaspray6059]

I like your channel, longtime subscriber but I'm afraid that I have to disagree. I find this new stuff as hookless and unremarkable as the last Maiden album. It kind of all blends into one plodding dirge. And I find the high concept a bit 'sixth form'.

[@johnellwoodtaylor4769]

One word… Underwhelming

[@anachronistofer]

How good is it? It's not very good. It's not very bad either. It's your garden-variety retro-British metal, all very midrange and well-trodden. Lower the off-scale Stonehenge prop. Priapic!

[@jamesmason1347]

That first single is horrible.

[@TheBlazzzek1]

That First Single is EPIC 💪💪💪

[@jamesmason1347]

@@TheBlazzzek1 no. It’s actually not.

[@jms980]

You talk too much. This album sucks.

[@user-rl5gq4rg1n]

you should listen to it again maybe you will like it more