Bruce Dickinson

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Starblind said:
just started to listen to this new, "more" Cyclops, there are more differences than the ones in gods of war. even vocals?
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Another teaser. I can't find new things on first listen, maybe some layer of vocals? I doubt Bruce would touch his original vocals. New sounds, I guess? Some keys, rhythm guitar. The song has a lot of sounds and with the new mix they're not clear enough, unfortunately. Also, is it just me or the drums sounds better in Gods Of War? It's like on TMP, not upfront in the mix. The original production fits great, I always thought Cyclops would benefit from a heavier sound, but this new one is like not crushingly enough. Idk. The bass is louder, which is cool.

Here's what Philip said about the release (he said he didn't touch Roy's iconic parts):

www.instagram.com

Philip Näslund | Guitar & Music on Instagram: "MORE BALLS TO PICASSO OUT JULY 25th Thrilled and deeply honored to have arranged and performed the new guitars on this beefed up and reimagined version of Bruce’s classic album ‘Balls To Picasso’. Pr

796 likes, 112 comments - naslundmusic on July 10, 2025: "MORE BALLS TO PICASSO OUT JULY 25th Thrilled and deeply honored to have arranged and performed the new guitars on this beefed up and reimagined version of Bruce’s classic album ‘Balls To Picasso’. Producer/Mixing/Mastering engineer...
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
''Thrilled and deeply honored to have arranged and performed the new guitars on this beefed up and reimagined version of Bruce’s classic album ‘Balls To Picasso’. Producer/Mixing/Mastering engineer Brendan Duffey contacted me shortly before the tour in support of “The Mandrake Project” kicked off last year, asking me if I’d be willing to do this. I knew I’d have to tread carefully while pushing myself both as a player and tone chaser but instantly said “YES!”. Over the course of the tour, I’d roll in to the venues early and handle recording tasks, while playing shows in the evening. Bruce & Brendan - thank you for your trust and for letting me be part of this amazing project. What an honor. What a shred''.
 
Kalata said:
The original production fits great, I always thought Cyclops would benefit from a heavier sound, but this new one is like not crushingly enough. Idk. The bass is louder, which is cool.
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It's weird how time changes things. I remember an interview I read where Bruce mentioned how he and Roy would've liked to re-record Cyclops with the Molossian guitar (the guitar w/bass strings used on several songs on Chemical Wedding). So...something in that vein is what I was expecting, since Bruce now had the opportunity to go back and tinker with the song. Instead of going heavier with it, it seems he tried to go a bit more "epic" sounding with it, for lack of a better word. More backing vocals, sounds like, a bit beefier sound overall, and the sort of choir swell at the end (along with other bits and bobs throughout). I don't hate it, but would've loved some of the Chemical sound to have been retroactively plugged into this song.

Jer said:
It sure looks like Roy got booted off the remix project. I wonder what this means for the Skunkworks remix…?
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I was under the impression Roy was done with the Skunkworks remix before things went south between him and Bruce--which was pretty much just giving it the Dolby Atmos treatment, if I recall. His SW bassist, Chris Dale, said he'd listened to it about a year ago now, and said it sounded incredible.
 
Jer said:
It sure looks like Roy got booted off the remix project. I wonder what this means for the Skunkworks remix…?
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Yeah. But they will release it, it's done probably with Roy and iirc Bruce said it's the next one to be released. It seems
TMP producer/mixer is Bruce's go-to guy for productions. And not only: recently a band called Combustion 96 (Philip writes and plays for it) was announced as an opening band for a few shows of the upcoming solo tour. Their new single is mixed by Brendan Duffey and co-written and co-produced by Philip. The sound is like TMP's (maybe a little better). It's a nice heavy short song, Philip brings the riff, but the solo is very short (if he plays it).

www.instagram.com

Bruce Dickinson в Instagram : "Our friends @combustion96 are joining The Mandrake Project Tour later this year! They’ll be on the road with the House Band of Hell for 8 shows, stretching from California to Florida, and have their own headline show

3,991 likes, 77 comments - brucedickinsonhq на July 11, 2025: "Our friends @combustion96 are joining The Mandrake Project Tour later this year! They’ll be on the road with the House Band of Hell for 8 shows, stretching from California to Florida, and have their own headline show in Austin TX...
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com

I think Philip will be important for Bruce's solo career and next solo album. Sound, playing. As for songwriting, even if they use Bruce's old demos, I hope with 2 guitars they bring more longer solos/melodic passages and interesting arrangements. If he brings such original music (recent), we are good:
MindRuler said:
To be honest Skunkworks sounds allready great. Wouldn't change a single thing there.
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SW has a perfect sound for the style, but it's curious to hear it heavier. The only album that I don't think needs modern production (although TOS and TCW are also perfect for me) is the debut.
CA Bryers said:
It's weird how time changes things. I remember an interview I read where Bruce mentioned how he and Roy would've liked to re-record Cyclops with the Molossian guitar (the guitar w/bass strings used on several songs on Chemical Wedding). So...something in that vein is what I was expecting, since Bruce now had the opportunity to go back and tinker with the song. Instead of going heavier with it, it seems he tried to go a bit more "epic" sounding with it, for lack of a better word. More backing vocals, sounds like, a bit beefier sound overall, and the sort of choir swell at the end (along with other bits and bobs throughout). I don't hate it, but would've loved some of the Chemical sound to have been retroactively plugged into this song.
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Cyclops would have been really impactful and cool with TCW production. Maybe they would have added more parts and put in more work, but if Bruce isn't collaborating with Roy anymore...

Bruce on Cyclops: he said they didn't add much to it (in comparison with some of the orchestration on other songs), except some guitars, a heavier sound, and mixed in some other things.

www.instagram.com

Bruce Dickinson on Instagram: "The reimagined version of Cyclops is OUT NOW! Head to your favourite streaming platform to give it a listen! Bruce’s reimagined album, More Balls to Picasso, is out 25th July. Preorder yours at the link in bio! #M

6,521 likes, 120 comments - brucedickinsonhq on July 16, 2025: "The reimagined version of Cyclops is OUT NOW! Head to your favourite streaming platform to give it a listen! Bruce’s reimagined album, More Balls to Picasso, is out 25th July. Preorder yours at the link in bio...
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
Starblind said:
And here comes the YouTube link:

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I can hear some completely unnecessary keys/programming added to the original version. Apparently, there are also some additional guitars by Philip Naslund, as the credits on the Youtube link read as follows:

Written by Bruce Dickinson and Roy Z
Originally produced by Shay Baby
New Guitars: Philip Naslund
Arrangements/Keys/programming: Antonio Teoli
Produced, remixed and mastered by Brendan Duffey for Brendan Duffey Audio

Bruce Dickinson (Vocals)
Roy Z (Guitar)
Eddie Casillas (Bass)
David Ingraham (Drums)
Doug Van Booven (Percussion)
 
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