Bruce Dickinson

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Yax said:
This is unsurprising. Bruce Dickinson the solo artist is a niche act.
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I wouldn't say that for sure, he covers a wider range of styles with his solo music.
Azas said:
Just listened to Bruce’s Eternal. I honestly can’t understand how, in his right mind, he could include Devil on a Hog on the album and leave out this gem. M*er. Eternal is brilliant. Lyrically and thematically, it would’ve paired perfectly with Navigate the Seas of the Sun and given the album greater continuity. It would’ve strengthened and elevated the whole record. Devil on a Hog, on the other hand, is more in line with No Prayer, Tattooed Millionaire, or Balls to Picasso—it simply doesn’t belong on Tyranny of Souls.
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I agree about Eternal on 100% (can say the same about Breeding House, Armchair Hero, Ghost Of Cain, Wicker Man, Return Of The King), I like all TOS songs, but the vocals and the overall vibe on Devil On A Hog definitely fit the album perfectly. Believil is like a cross between TCW and TOS. I guess Bruce didn't want 2 ballads on an album, Navigate is impactful enough. The album has 9 songs though (like TMP), iirc Eternal was cut from it in the last minute.
 
Strangely, Bruce’s keytar-heavy version of Flash of the Blade feels like a cousin to Maiden’s 2025 rendition of Powerslave, which was also richly layered with synths. Bruce’s take is solid—I don’t mind a bit of keytar infusion in a live setting.
 
Azas said:
Strangely, Bruce’s keytar-heavy version of Flash of the Blade feels like a cousin to Maiden’s 2025 rendition of Powerslave, which was also richly layered with synths. Bruce’s take is solid—I don’t mind a bit of keytar infusion in a live setting.
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True. Powerslave 2025 has more high keyboards
 
Bruce about the heaviness in his solo music:

''Yes, because Maiden, you know, stylistically, obviously there is a lot of influence from Steve in everything. And while sometimes it's heavy, sometimes is proggy and things like that. With me, I do go down a prog mood sometimes, but I just like that kind of like really heavy and detuned sound. I mean, there's a lot of heaviness now in the air, which Maiden doesn't really take advantage of, 'cause I'm not sure if it necessarily fits the kind of soundscape that Steve likes. But I'm not restricted by that. You run the risk of course to spread yourself a bit tin, but that's a risk worth taking, 'cause you must be an artist, come on.''

Expected answer.

He also said that he will only play Maiden songs live he wrote on its own with his solo band, they're not a cover band after all.
 
GhostofCain said:
Ouch, that would have certainly bruised his ego.

Have "logistics" been used as an excuse as is usually the case when this happens?
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It's actually surprising how many Maiden fans have never bothered to even listen to any of his solo material and as a name only Bruce is hardly big enough to pack out larger venues, they 100% over estimated that with some of these dates, now he's just going back to small shit boxes that are in is league in the US lol
 
I consider Rain on the Graves one of the best songs on TMP. It’s fully fleshed out, and Bruce sings in a comfortable range. The guitar solo section even reminds me of the TCW album. I really like Bruce’s attitude on this track. By contrast, Many Doors to Hell is a problematic song, in my opinion, because Bruce sings in an uncomfortable range. And as he grows older, such songs will only become even more problematic. He needs to adjust and avoid that kind of singing style (too high pitched)
 
Azas said:
I consider Rain on the Graves one of the best songs on TMP. It’s fully fleshed out, and Bruce sings in a comfortable range. The guitar solo section even reminds me of the TCW album. I really like Bruce’s attitude on this track. By contrast, Many Doors to Hell is a problematic song, in my opinion, because Bruce sings in an uncomfortable range. And as he grows older, such songs will only become even more problematic. He needs to adjust and avoid that kind of singing style (too high pitched)
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I don't think Doors sounds uncomfortable, just that his voice is a bit husky nowadays with age.
 
Just watched some clips, but Bruce sounds in great form here. Too bad that when he was in Stockholm last summer he also had a cold/just recovered from it, so it hindered some of the performances. Love his solo stuff, opening with Accident of Birth is so hype.
 
Yax said:
I'd rather have Devil on a Hog tbh. It's fun, whereas I find Eternal meandering. It's a fine song though, but ToS is first and foremost a fun sounding album and so I think he made the right call.
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Totally agree. Devil on a Hog is a blast of a song. Personally, I'm kind of glad Eternal didn't make it onto an album. It strikes me as overtly Floyd-y and would feel out of place had it shown up on ToS. It's a curiosity piece for me, which made it a good choice for a B-side. Sonata strikes me that way--a curiosity piece that feels similarly out of place on Mandrake.
 
Azas said:
Strangely, Bruce’s keytar-heavy version of Flash of the Blade feels like a cousin to Maiden’s 2025 rendition of Powerslave, which was also richly layered with synths. Bruce’s take is solid—I don’t mind a bit of keytar infusion in a live setting.
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Louder keys are something recent for Maiden on some songs. Sometimes they fit, sometimes not so much. I like keys/keytar for some Bruce songs.
Azas said:
I consider Rain on the Graves one of the best songs on TMP. It’s fully fleshed out, and Bruce sings in a comfortable range. The guitar solo section even reminds me of the TCW album. I really like Bruce’s attitude on this track.
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Rain and TCW vibe (the chorus is pure solo Bruce), I can hear it... if only the verses had different vocal ideas. I enjoy it a lot, but it will never be a favorite of mine, the verses are not metal. I appreciate something different, but this is like too different for me.
CA Bryers said:
Totally agree. Devil on a Hog is a blast of a song. Personally, I'm kind of glad Eternal didn't make it onto an album. It strikes me as overtly Floyd-y and would feel out of place had it shown up on ToS. It's a curiosity piece for me, which made it a good choice for a B-side. Sonata strikes me that way--a curiosity piece that feels similarly out of place on Mandrake.
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Both fit their albums vibes and as bonus songs.
Azas said:
By contrast, Many Doors to Hell is a problematic song, in my opinion, because Bruce sings in an uncomfortable range. And as he grows older, such songs will only become even more problematic. He needs to adjust and avoid that kind of singing style (too high pitched)
I mean the parts where he sings in the high register. Didn’t he drop this song on the previous tour, or am I mixing things up?
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I don't think he has problems with Many Doors vocals, there's a weird vocal effect in the studio for the pre-chorus. I mean, he sings Flash Of The Blade live! He dropped it last year and probably because he wanted room for other old songs, his current set is 10 minutes shorter.

Speaking of that, during the current tour Tanya is with backing vocals for Chemical Wedding, unlike last year. Btw, Tears and Gods are not easy/difficult for encores.
 
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Bruce said here - that when they do the Brazil show, they will shoot a couple of videos and continue with the next tour date.

Videos? For the new singles, they are ready? He will have the whole 2026 for promotion, release and tour in early 2027.


He is also surprised that MBTP is doing well on the charts after so many years.
 
If by chance anyone connected with Bruce happens to be reading this forum, please—do the man a favor and suggest he change those trousers he’s wearing on the current solo tour. Yeeeeeees, in some ways they may be… let’s say flattering, Bruce—but overall, the look just doesn’t work. It’s plain bad. Sorry.:rolleyes: Thanks for your attention to this sizable (and rather bulgy) matter.
 
Bruce, on how he loves air conditioning.


Right after his polar rant, they launch into Flash of the Blade—and it’s sounding better and more confident each time. The performance is starting to bloom. In fact, it’s becoming a cruising beast of a song.
 
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It bears repeating: Bruce’s current band is excellent. They’re true professionals, they’ve got real chemistry, and you can see they’re having fun onstage. I genuinely want them to succeed with Bruce so they can carry on as a unit for years to come. Of course, the upcoming album will be the ultimate decider—but I hope it draws bigger and bigger crowds. Let Bruce’s solo career prosper, because while I don’t expect Maiden to release any truly definitive albums in the future, Bruce on his own still has the potential to shake things up in a big way.
 
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