The Mandrake Project is the 7th studio album from Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson. It’s been some time since his last studio album, 2005’s Tyranny Of Souls, but such is the epic nature of this project that it’s absolutely been worth the wait. What people need to understand is that this isn’t just another solo album. It isn’t just a solo album of gold standard tracks. What Bruce has created is an entirely immersive experience which goes far beyond the music. As a concept, The Mandrake Project is a dark, adult story of power, abuse and a struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius. As well as the music, this is also a series of 12 comics expected to be released over the next 2 years that will collectively come together as 3 graphic novels. The idea began to germinate as far back as 2014, and taking the time to allow it to grow and mature has resulted in something that has broken the mould in the most astounding way in terms of what it means to be an artist in the world of rock. This multi-dimensional approach has challenged the standard linear way of releasing music as simply a collection of songs, and we’ve had our eyes opened as to how our minds can be captured through sound, imagery and anticipation. This isn’t something Bruce has created on his own but in partnership with his long time collaborator Roy ‘Z’ Ramirez. Something quite magical always happens when these to come together. The forthcoming UK solo tour in May is also proving to be whipping up fans into a frenzy. As The Mandrake Project is released to the world, we catch up with Bruce to share the excitement… 

The Mandrake Project is so much more than simply a great album. It’s an entirely immersive experience that brings hard rock together with a gripping story and a series of comics which are to be released and enjoyed over the next couple of years. Where did the inspiration come from to create such an ambitious project?

It’s just, I don’t know, they locked me up for 3 years and then didn’t let me out the house with Covid. And I was just like ‘I’ve got to think of something’! So that’s where it all came from. The comic is ‘out there’, honestly!

You’ve been working with Roy Z for decades and you have such an amazing partnership. What is it about working with Roy that creates such amazing results?

We just bounce off each other! He does things and I’ll think ‘Oh, I’ve got something that will work with that!’, and it’s dead simple. He has some ideas with sound as well that are interesting so that’s it. It’s the chemistry and I can’t explain it really!

How much are you looking forward to the UK tour in May?

Oh yeah, very much!

As our conversation draws to a close, we reflect on what a wholly outstanding, ambitious and ultimately incredible body of work The Mandrake Project really is. To find out more, head over to www.themandrakeproject.com and enjoy the video to the lead single Afterglow of Ragnarok below.