Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
So nothing is re-recorded, just added some (rhythm only? by Philip) guitars. I hope for some new parts like melodies, at least. The sounds at the beginning of Gods Of War are hard to hear. The heavier guitars sounds like TMP, the drums mix in the interlude is not done that well, like some parts in TMP.
2 unreleased live in the studio album songs... well, I hoped for something more. Reimagined version sets expectations (like Eternity Has Failed). I guess he doesn't have old demos from that era. The cover is the same, not that I expected a new one. Although his original idea for it back then was different.
Bruce said he really loves the album:
I wonder if he will play more songs (rotate) from it during the upcoming tour. A special album imo.
2 unreleased live in the studio album songs... well, I hoped for something more. Reimagined version sets expectations (like Eternity Has Failed). I guess he doesn't have old demos from that era. The cover is the same, not that I expected a new one. Although his original idea for it back then was different.
Bruce said he really loves the album:
Bruce Dickinson on Instagram: "More Balls To Picasso - out July 25th Bruce’s classic 1994 solo album, Balls To Picasso, has been reinvented... Head to the link in bio and the latest story to find out more and preorder your copy! #MoreBallsToPica
6,865 likes, 147 comments - brucedickinsonhq on June 10, 2025: "More Balls To Picasso - out July 25th Bruce’s classic 1994 solo album, Balls To Picasso, has been reinvented... Head to the link in bio and the latest story to find out more and preorder your copy! #MoreBallsToPicasso...
www.instagram.com
I wonder if he will play more songs (rotate) from it during the upcoming tour. A special album imo.
More Balls To Picasso - reworked album out July 25 - The Mandrake Project
More Balls To Picasso includes two previously unreleased live in-the-studio tracks, ‘Gods of War’ and ‘Shoot All the Clowns’. It will be available as a splatter vinyl double album and tri-panel digisleeve CD album.
www.themandrakeproject.com
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Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
I wouldn't say I prefer every modern production to some 90's productions, but this one is good and helps the album. Despite its thin sound, I like the original mix too. Let's hope Bruce's new solo album will sound closer to it than TMP, especially the drums. It's an improvement. I would also like such production of the drums on a Maiden album, a fuller and more powerful sound overall.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Honestly, the only songs that could have some added parts (melodies; I doubt about more solos) are probably: Hell No, 1000 Points(?), Laughing In The Hiding Bush (Mistheria's keys from the live version?), Change Of Heart (maybe), Fire (yep) and even Cowboys (a harmony will be perfect). But I'm not sure at all, it's not like TMP.
The Breeding House would be crushing with this new mix. Too bad it's a bonus song.
Wickerman1204
Ancient Mariner
As show closer please!
Donner
Ancient Mariner
This More Balls to Picasso release will likely be something I stream only. I've never had issues with the original in any way, it's a time capsule of where he was back in 1994. I've always thought it was a very interesting and creative record and am not sure it really need to be metallified in any way.
I'll probably listen to this new version once or twice and then forget it's a thing at all.
I'll probably listen to this new version once or twice and then forget it's a thing at all.
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
This version sounds absolutely great. Cool idea from Bruce.
GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
What were you expecting to say about a product he is trying to sell???
I do not see the point in adding bits to the album that were not originally there to make it heavier. We shouldn't forget that back in 1994 Bruce was not really that interested in recording metal albums and was going after a completely different vibe, which is what he achieved with the original album.
Spaldy
Ancient Mariner
If it manages to make TOTD even better sounding I'll be buying it on day one.
CA Bryers
Ancient Mariner
Not really. Glad they went back to the original photo from the 1994 cover instead of the alternate one they used for the 2001 remaster, though.
Ascendingthethrone
Ancient Mariner
I’m always interested in remixes of albums. It is cool to hear an album that I love in a slightly different way. It can be done incredibly well. Just look at what Tony Ionmi did to the BS album Forbidden. It’s like a whole new album.
I am confused by the physical product options. Bruce made a big deal that the album was being mixed in Dolby Atmos. I use Apple Music and they have the Spatial Audio feature that is supposed to be like Atmos. I turn it off. I have no problem with stereo, especially in headphones. MBTP is clearly labeled as being mixed in Atmos on Apppe Music.
However, where is the blu-ray with the Atmos mix? I know Blu-ray is considered dead technology by many, but lots of legacy bands are still re-releasing albums on blu-ray with Dolby, 5.1 and hi-red mixes either as part of a box set (Jethro Tull) or standalone products (Pearl Jam).
Maybe it will come later. Make money with the CD and record and then release it again. It could make an interesting package. They have already mixed the original album in 5.1. I could see the blu-ray with the following features.
I am confused by the physical product options. Bruce made a big deal that the album was being mixed in Dolby Atmos. I use Apple Music and they have the Spatial Audio feature that is supposed to be like Atmos. I turn it off. I have no problem with stereo, especially in headphones. MBTP is clearly labeled as being mixed in Atmos on Apppe Music.
However, where is the blu-ray with the Atmos mix? I know Blu-ray is considered dead technology by many, but lots of legacy bands are still re-releasing albums on blu-ray with Dolby, 5.1 and hi-red mixes either as part of a box set (Jethro Tull) or standalone products (Pearl Jam).
Maybe it will come later. Make money with the CD and record and then release it again. It could make an interesting package. They have already mixed the original album in 5.1. I could see the blu-ray with the following features.
- New mix in Dolby Atmos and high-res audio.
- Original mix in 5.1 and high-res audio
- Videos from the album with the new mix
- B-sides in high (just replicate the 2005 bonus disc)
Belshazzar
Yer Mum Can't Come
True. I always enjoyed my 5.1 DTS DVD audio disc of Dance of Death. I had a proper surround system with satellite speakers, not a sound bar, and used to plonk a chair in the middle of the room and just sit and listen to it.
But then, I also did the same with the surround sound test on the Halo 2 steel book bonus disc with the little grunt running from speaker to speaker, so my experience may not count for much.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Yeah, and he's proud of TCW album and shared the cover and that he likes the dark TOS album recently...
He has his own issues and we've seen similar behavior over the years. Including what he did and didn't do on the latest album.
After so many years? I guess he just wanted to release the material 10+ years in the making, and that's it. A ''winning songwriting team'' doesn't sound as strong after the latest album, and that's because of Roy. And didn't he said he thought Bruce wrote Face In The Mirror for him, he has no problem with that apparently.
He wouldn't say that about the solo debut.
True, but he always said that he originally wanted the album to be heavier, and he prefers heavier music. Why did he decided to do it for all albums? I guess because he really likes this production, he thinks they can be improved and his solo career to not lose momentum. I think it's cool and not unnecessary. Also, if some songs have some added parts (and he said this album has), it's always curious to hear new ideas to old material (btw, Adrian has said something like that in some interview; some old songs and ideas can be improved). TMP can definitely benefit from the same.
Agreed, especially about some albums. The originals have their charm (in time), but I really want to hear NPFTD with this production now.
Considering the sound, I'm not sure Roy is part of the production, or?
Jer
'Til Tomorrow
No mention of Roy at all in this initial press push, but it mentions Näslund adding new guitar parts — and in earlier comments on the album Roy was deeply involved in the remix, and that was even mentioned as one of the things Roy would focus on while the solo band was touring without him. And Roy was the one talking about how the guitar sound wasn’t what he’d wanted all these years, and that’s why he was so eager to do the remix.
Did they throw out Roy’s remix work and start from scratch…? Seems hard to believe, given the release timeframe they’re still hitting…
GhostofCain
Ancient Mariner
That is true, but there is a big difference between remixing the original material and having someone who was not around when the album was first released recording new stuff.
Belshazzar
Yer Mum Can't Come
Despite all the controversy, falling out, Mrs Bruce acting like Mrs Ozzy on social media and Roy generally coming off like a nutter these days, it would be disingenuous to not include Roy in the process for this record in particular.
Forgetting the Olsen session stuff, this was Bruce essentially taking Roy's band and doing something with them, rather than Roy going to work with Bruce. Tribe of Gypsies are so prevalent on Balls to Picasso, in everything from the arrangements through to percussion and the huge Latin influence, Bruce simply couldn't have made this album without them. It would be like remixing Skunkworks and not including Alex Dickson et al - they are products of a band sold under the Dickinson monicker with him as co-writer and lead singer, rather than a solo musician creating a recording band and a touring band to realise his own stuff.
Even with Accident of Birth, it was Roy who asked Bruce if he wanted to just go and make a "fucking good metal record".
Forgetting the Olsen session stuff, this was Bruce essentially taking Roy's band and doing something with them, rather than Roy going to work with Bruce. Tribe of Gypsies are so prevalent on Balls to Picasso, in everything from the arrangements through to percussion and the huge Latin influence, Bruce simply couldn't have made this album without them. It would be like remixing Skunkworks and not including Alex Dickson et al - they are products of a band sold under the Dickinson monicker with him as co-writer and lead singer, rather than a solo musician creating a recording band and a touring band to realise his own stuff.
Even with Accident of Birth, it was Roy who asked Bruce if he wanted to just go and make a "fucking good metal record".