Was The Mandrake Project worth the hype? Bruce Dickinson new album Reaction & Review
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- Bruce Dickinson is back with the most anticipated album of his solo career… and in all honesty… The Mandrake Project is nothing like I expected it would be…
So let’s take a look The Mandrake Project, discuss its weak and strong points… and then answer the question whether the first Bruce Dickinson solo album in 19 years was even worth all that hype.
We will talk about each song on The Mandrake Project track by track, so here is the tracklist for you:
1. Afterglow Of Ragnarok
2. Many Doors To Hell
3. Rain On The Graves
4. Resurrection Men
5. Fingers In the Wounds
6. Eternity Has Failed
7. Mistress Of Mercy
8. Face In The Mirror
9. Shadow Of The Gods
10. Sonata (Immortal Beloved)
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Track by track
08:52 - First conclusions
11:10 - Let's continue
15:25 - 3 parts
16:30 - But there is more
19:39 - Verdict
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#IronMaiden #Bruce Dickinson #UpTheIrons
Are you planning to see Bruce live this year? If so, where?
Yes, in Munich.
Berlin, Hamburg, Paris and Gdańsk
No Dublin or Belfast...yet...
Gdańsk, Poland!
Yes, driving nearly 5 hours to Manchester, (England) because I have my children the weekend he plays in London (Which is only 90 minutes away)
I listened to this album 3 times in a row and man, it has really grown on me. This album is amazing. I hear so many influences from so many classic bands and when you add that unreal voice, you can’t lose. So glad this record is so damn good.
I agree. More that I listen the better it gets.
i agree with you also! amazing album 😊
Agree,one of the best albums I have heard since few years back. And it is getting better and better every time I'm listening to it.
Yeah, I fully agree. The more you listen to it, the more it grows on you. It is really better than 99% of everything that is being published this year, were it not for the hype, it would be rated as a masterpiece.
And albums that grow on you sound great and exciting a LOT longer.
The thing is, we need repetition over time to really fully appreciate a work of art. Rarely a gem is found on first listening. I'll come up with my very detailed verdict by around April, but none of his solo albums have let me down so far... in fact, I consider them to be some of the absolute best music out there.
Exactly, people are too quick to review records.
Agree, did take me several listen to digest and really like it as with most music that is among my favorites
This is cope by fanboys. Repetition to find gems is something you do with complex music, with actual progressive or experimental art, not with what is still pretty standard metal, there are no arrangements in the entire album that need closer inspection. Is an ok album, nothing more.
OK, Einstein, you're bright and only need one listen to grasp everything, it never happened to you to find a metal record average and then getting more and more accustomed to it, unless it's some crazy experimental music, Suuuure LOL@@homerc9101
For me, the second half of the album is by far the best. Shadow of the Gods is my favourite track
Killer of a track.Best of the album.
What about the opening track and finger in the wound?
@@TheGreatestVoice1958 Fingers in the wounds has also become one of my favourites over the past few weeks.
(BTW, really enjoyed your Bruce v Freddy video)
@@dansmodeluniverse oh thanks haha. Who do you think won the battle?
@@TheGreatestVoice1958 Bruce Dickinson. Now and Always. Maiden are my religion since 1981.
Shadow of the Gods, personal favorite, especially the second part
Accident of birth my favorite Bruce album \,,/
17:24 I feel like this line is a reference to the song "Chemical Wedding" - the chorus goes: "And so we lay, we lay in the same grave..."
It sounds really, really similar
Yeh i thought it was about to lead into chemical weeding
Thank you for the great review. I am supper proud to have worked on this album and love seeing people as stoked as I am with the result. All the best!
Hi Brendan! As I said, the mixing and overall production on this record is amazing. Thanks for doing a great job on that front!
This review surprised me. Bruce is my favorite singer. I prefer his solo work to his Maiden work, despite the fact that Maiden is my favorite band. I'm blown away by this new album. There are no weak moments and a lot of surprises. Face in the Mirror is a personal favorite. Shadow of the Gods is just incredible. That's a masterpiece. The more I dive into this album, the more I'm loving it. Chemical Wedding is still my favorite but I've been living with it since it's release. I'll give this time before jumping to radical statements. This album is an easy 10/10 for me. Just for Sonata alone, I'm in love with the music.
Just ordered this today, but have heard 6 of the 10 tracks on you tube. Of those 6 “Eternity Has Failed” is my favorite so far. It’s become an ear worm for me. I just can’t get over it. I love it!
and yes Bruce is back 😊 thank you for still producing so high quality music at this age!
Fully agree with your assessment. Review is on the point with my reactions and feelings. It is indeed a Very good album, yet not the best, but bery fresh, surprising and enjoyable. Btw. Bruce has said somewhere recently he has already somerhing for the yet another album
After the first listen here on UA-cam I absolutely love it. Can´t wait to blow my speakers with the CD.
very spot on, honest and the most objective review...
Thanks, great review! I have only listened to it once so far and certainly will have many more listenings to the album. It is quite a varied pot and a somewhat unorthodox way to structure an album but I do appreciate that aspect. I very much prefer to listen to music albumwise start to finish and I think it has quite good potential to grow over time. Cheers from Sweden!
Great review
An interesting review, enjoyed it a lot.
Absolutely agree with you. This is not a masterpiece at first listen. This album will hopefully reveal it's strength over time.
That's a long way off saying "it's meh"
@@AmericanNationalist852well yes, for now it is
it grows with every listen but still isn't a big deal... good yes, but that's all...
If it needs to grow on you it is not good
@@107guitarguyi have lots of albums in my all time fav list, that weren't instant likes. Art is always a mood thing. doesn't matter if it's music, paintings, literature or movies, it always depends on how you feel at the time of consuming.
I think it’s a very strong effort and I appreciate it greatly. Everyone should, how many more times are the metal masters going to give us wonderful gifts like this?
haha you used my quicky "unwrapping" of the comic book in the video :DDD Cheers!
It took a couple of spins before I really enjoyed Tyranny of Souls which devoloped into my favorite BD album. I think the fact that we'd waited 19 years for this album makes us have unrealistic high expectations and an album we will judge based upon earlier works such as Accident of Birth, The Chemical Wedding and Tyranny of Souls. All new albums has a life of their own and we must face that and listen to it as it is and try to let go of too high expectations and try not to compare with out favorite album. Let's see if I am actually able to practice what I preach when I receive my CD (mail delivery) and especially when my favorite band/singer King Diamond finally will release The Institute!!!! :)
Already listened to it four times, and it definitely is a grower. There's a lot to absorb. I think it's a great album!
After hearing the singles(did take time to digest and i admit i was on the fence) im positive surpriced, liked it a lot and as commented below, music you put on your favorite list isnt what you like or think is a masterpiece the first time you hear it, it takes several listens and it growns on you, thats a sign of quality and the album is there for me
i have only heard it once on vinyl cuz i bought it in a store as soon as it arrived, i really enjoyed it. if it's only gonna get better the more i hear it, i'm really excited
Calm down if you're an adult
Honestly, I like the album a lot more than I expected, even on first listen. I don't think he picked the strongest songs for the MVs.
Bruce himself matched my expectations but the instrumentation exceeded them. These days I mentally adjust when listening to Maiden otherwise I'll yearn for the types of small touches that my favourite younger bands do. This album actually has some of those touches. If you're a traditional metal fan who hates modern metal, this could be a good album to bridge the gap.
My favourite tracks are actually the final three! Love the atmospheric vibes.
Thanks for sharing.
Like you MP, I was left a little cold after the first listen. Some highlights, but not what I expected.
However, repeat listens have revealed the good in The Mandrake Project!
This is a rich album full of so many musical flavours, and a complex narrative packed with philosophy and symbolism.
It deserves so much more than being discarded after one listen. I believe that the listeners who persevere with this record will be deeply rewarded.
Shadow of the gods is perfect!
I love the album including some songs like Eternity has Failed, Shadows of the Gods etc. I think this album i love it,
just like the albums release in 1997 and 1998
I agree with you 99%!
I do think the first half is the more accesible stuff, while they second one is the more intricate and experimental stuff.
I gave the record a 9/10 on my personal Review.
I think this album is over the first three Bruce records, but it underneath Accident and Chemical.
Btw, where would you rank this album in a Dickinson Ranking? It tops Tyranny of Souls? Or is it too soon??
Cheers, friend! Love your channel 🤟🏼🇺🇾
I really like this album, and I cannot wait to see Bruce live, in fact this year I'll have seen all 3 recording maiden singers solo live, but out of the mandrake project and circle of stone - I prefer circle of stone I think.
But this album was great and to have both albums release so close to each other was brilliant
It’s definitely a grower and it gets better and better with every listen. At first i was like “meh” but now i love it. It sounds mature and contemporary. Thus said, i can’t stand “Afterglow Of Ragnarok”, each to their own lol
Afterglow is for sure one of the strongest songs on the album.
I love it!Great album!!
Eternity Has Failed blew me away on the first listen. I have played IESF and EHF back-to-back several times since. 🤘🏼
I really love this album. Sonata (Immortal Beloved) is my favorite song.
Way too long
@@vikingraven4156 The album or the song I mentioned?
@@andreviews7101 both
I loved this album right from the start, connected with me heavily, and i love most of the tracks, Think only one or two that i'd skip, i prefer this version of Eternity has failed, my favorite was Shadow Of The Gods, i think! Overall i would rate this album 8/10, Very excited, Looking forward to see him live this summer in Sweden! Thanks for another great video, Mr Pilgrim!
The ballads are by far the strongest tracks imo
I'm very happy with the album. Very fun, very metal, very Bruce 🤘🏻🤘🏻
As they always say, everyone has it's own taste. Honestly, the album it's pretty good for me, there are albums that I like and I understand that many people find it boring, like Maiden's final frontier, and vice versa, albums that I don't like very much like Slayer's Reign in Blood but I understand why many people love it, to give two examples, however, I can't understand the hate that is being given to this album, do you really think there are so many bad songs in the album? There are 2 that don't convince me, but the rest are generally quite enjoyable like "Many Door to Hell", "Fingers in the wounds" or "Shadow of the gods". I give it a 4/5. I sincerely believe that the things that happens is not that they really don't like it but that the expectations were TOO high (19 years without an album, they have been working on it for many years... etc.) If you answer me, please be respectful, I have simply given my opinion.
i love the respectful comment there 😀 why someone would be unrespectul for just expressing an opinion? metal unites us 👏💪
Agree 100% with all you've said, the expextations were higher that the album quality. Anyways I love it
Very good review and I couldn't agree more. I have listened to the album 3 times so far and I started liking it but it's definitely not the best Dickinson album. Favourite tracks: Afterglow of Ragnarok, Resurrection Men and Mistress of Mercy. Also, doesn't Many Doors to Hell sound like Ghost with Bruce on the vocals?
As A Bruce Dickinson Fan I absolutely loved this album. I expected a different sound on some tracks. Hope he tours the USA
I felt exactly the same. The first time I listened to it I maybe had too high expectations. But I actually loved the hype they created around this album. And after a second listen it really grew on me. But this was also true for me for Iron Maiden when I first dug deeper into their songs.
I also think that Bruce could have sung Resurrection Man a little lower.
I love all the different parts of this album. About Face in the Mirror: first I found it too a little too repetitive, but it really suits the atmosphere they created with this song.
Overall a really awesome mix of so many differnt styles and all the brilliant variations Bruce can do with his voice ❤
I'm so excited to hopefully meet him this week and tell him. And of course for the live performances of the songs 🤘🏻🔥
The last two tracks are spectacular
I feel like this album is a growing album. It gets better every time you listen to it.
Brilliant album!
I like your analysis but I differ something, Eternity Has Failed sounds much more powerful than Iron Maiden, specially from the minute 3:15.
The album is full of diversity and creativity, something difficult to find on this era.
Something that you didn’t not include is the feeling and new air from the musicians, the detail is included on the book that you have on behind. Non famous elements, virtousisms, feeling, no commercial interest, playing for the album and for the songs; not for a brand or name. Pure art, class
I agree. This version of Eternity is far superior to the Maiden version.
Its a great album, specially 2nd half. Favourite one is Shadow of the Gods.
I really love this album I'm ngl, and Bruce seems really happy and passionate about it, both in videos and when i met him at one of the UK Album signings which I love to see. Though that maybe a hot take since my favourite album of all time is Skunkworks haha
I fall in love with face in the mirror at first hearing and i love it :)
I agree with absolutely everything you said in this video, couldn‘t have said it better😄
I'm going to have to give it a few more listens before I really form an opinion but my first impression is that it falls a little short of expectations and is not even as good as Tyranny. I hope I'm wrong on this one and it turns out to be a real grower of an album.
I really enjoyed the Mandrake Project from beginning to end. There were influences from Purple, Sabbath, Dio era Rainbow and even nods to Arthur Brown. It’s great. I absolutely loved the first listen.
I think the solo stuff (Minus Skunkworks) is some of the most underrated metal ever. I haven't consumed this album as I know I will, and am positive it will become a lifelong favorite. Thank you for your HARD WORK!
Honestly I actually really like Skunkworks. For me, it’s Tattooed Millionaire I’ve never liked.
@@Nemesis7475 I'm unfairly biased, I was 17 when Millionaire came out, my friend's parents owned the Phantasy Theater in Cleveland, where he played on that tour, we got to hang out at the venue all day, have dinner with the band, then got situated front and center before the doors opened to everyone. I got to meet a lot of huge acts that way!
Skunckworks is actually my favorite Bruce album.
Inertia is an incredible song, you should check out the story behind that track.
Skunkworks is a fantastic album and I'd even argue that line-ups take on the earlier material from Alive in Studio A is better than the original versions.
I was afraid that The Mandrake Project might be a 'grower'.
But, to me at least, it was an absolute instant banger!
Resurrection Men, Fingers in the Wounds, Eternity Has Failed and Face in the Mirror are instant favorites.
Btw thanks for these videos! Your channel makes listening to new metal records all the more exciting 🤟
I must admit only after 2 listens I wasn’t that impressed maybe reading the lyrics may help , but what did impress me was the fact that every track was produced in Dolby Atmos and my Sonos system allows me to enjoy this amazing immersive sound 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻
I'd just finish my first listening beggining to end of the album. Afterglow already liked and Rain on the Graves is just fabulous. Ressurection Men is a nice song and Many Doors to Hell really got me.
The rest of the album is Ok, it is Bruce all the way.
A couple of songs reminds me of Skunkorks, at least it has some of its vibe. Eternity?? I prefer Maiden version but Roy Z solo is really really great.
Within time the album as whole might become better. Not Bruce's best work but it's a good album. Just the fact he's still out there touring and writing new music deserves our attention!!
Superb album
I give this album a solid 8/10, easily the best between all the bands releasing new stuff. It's creative, adventurous, full of nuances and it's very exciting to listen to.
I absolutely agree with you on 'Resurrection Men', a bit bothered by the vocals in the verse. Hopefully this can be fixed in live performance? Anyway, the album is great, and I can't wait to see Bruce solo live, been waiting for it since I was a little kid. :D
I'm a sucker for power ballads so Face In The Mirror is one of my favorite tracks of the album :)
Heard Bruce hold a note for must have been a minute at Download one year…amazing…
Will you be interviewing Bruce like you did with Rob?
Off course not, he is living in a country with a terrible war. A country to which our criminal psychopat president of the Netherlands Mark Rutte gives millions and millions of euro's, because for our safety Ukraïn must win.
as someone who only became a metal head back in 2018 or 2019 as I had a very controlling father who didn't like any heavier music, and have Iron Maiden as their favorite band since listening to Dance of Death, I think this is certainly not the best of Bruce's albums, objectively speaking, but it's my favorite, and the first of his solo career that makes me wanna listen to it on loop, and 3 of it's songs are on my top 8 of all Bruce's solo career songs
I love that you always find a positive in everything 😊
Personally, I'm disappointed in The Mandrake Project. But if Bruce is expressing his art then good for him. It's not like he needs the money or anyone's approval, he is a legend, he can do whatever makes him happy.
Shadow of the Gods is a pure masterpiece! I can listen to this song over and over again.
Still, the rest of the songs are good or very good. I can't really tell which track is the weakest, but I'm leaning toward Mistress Of Mercy. It sounds so generic, an album filler... but I bet it would be banger during concerts.
This album Come to the right time! Great album, Great song! Great production! I cant wait the live concert! 🤫🤫🤫
I had a blast with the album. not his greatest but it's great to have bruce Solo material.
Now I have finally listened to the album for the 1st time and I have to say I like it instantly, but there's no doubt that it's a grower and an album that requires you to dive deep and discover everything over time. I think there is one ballad too many, but in general hell yes. Many Doors to Hell, a bit goofy but alright. I also think that Eternity Has Failed is better than If Eternity Should Fail. Not as good as Accident, Chemical and Tyranny, but diffently a good album and very different in certain aspects from what you would expect and an album that will grow. I work sunday - thursday so friday morning I am diffently gonna start my weekend with a re-listen :)
Great Review. Totally agree the first listen seems nah specially compared to AOB or TCW but at next listens the album is terribly catchy and includes great grower songs
Only listened to the album twice so far but Shadow of the Gods is definitely a stand out track
IMO, it is good, It is catchy. I bought it. Definitely creates and has its own vibe.
Only given it the one spin on UA-cam. Waiting for my copy to arrive. First impression, no real stand outs on it..absolutely loved tyranny of souls which was a lot more immediate for me. Songs on this are grand 5/6 out of 10's but I'll probably be sticking with the back catalogue over TMP.
The thing that surprised me the most was Bruces almost growling vocals in the second half of Shadow of the Gods, i dont think i have heard him dying quite like that before
All in all an absolute banger of an album even if it isnt on the😢same level as AoB and TCW
I’m a huge Maiden and Bruce fan. His favourite solos albums for me are Accident of Birth and and Chemical wedding. I wish Adrian was in the band still.
I've only listened to the album once so far and I think it's okay. But I already have the impression that it gets better every time.
Shadow of the gods sounds like it belongs on chemical wedding after the alchemist. In my opinion it’s by far the best track. I love the album. With the shadow of the gods the moment I heard “and so we lay” I was on the edge of my seat.
I had the same feeling after my first listen of this record as I had with Tyranny of souls, which was basically it’s pretty good however, after listening to accident and chemical wedding I thought oh my God this is amazing
Was that Kieran Tierney of Souls then?
@@kqh123 voice to text struck again
@@Solidballofrock hahah. He's one of my favorite players that Tierney
I really appreciate your honest review. Pretty much every metal magazine or journal has given it blazing reviews, but I don't think they are being totally accurate. I mean, it's ok to say if some tracks are not that good right?
But all these guys writing for Kerrang, Metal Hammer, Classic Rock etc. are saying this is the best thing since sliced bread and I don't believe that's the full picture. Not one of them has written about each track and what they're like with positives or negatives, just a summary of the whole album.
So thanks Metal Pilgrim for giving this album a worthy review. Slava Ukraini! Cheers! Robin.
P.S. I posted a similar comment on Capnharris's page as I thought you communicated some ideas in common.
I like the music!!!
I appreciate that you're prepared to give constructive criticism about the album. I find that many UA-cam reviewers are actually too positive, specifically reaction video people who get more shares from over the top expressions.
I agree that the album was never going to satisfy many fans. The Iron Maiden fanbase is quite snobbish and very quick to criticise because they build up huge expectations. Mind you, had this album been released in, say, 2007 it wouldn't have been as successful. Now that Maiden solo projects are promoted in house by Maiden's website & social media 'The Mandrake Project' has been able to reach more people than Bruce's solo career ever did in the past. It charted at number 3 in the UK (his highest charting solo album) which is pretty damn impressive. It also shows the state of mainstream Metal in the 90s compared to today.
Absolutely fair and precise review. As a big fan of the first 3 albums, unfortunately(for me)this album is not really my cup of tea. For some reason it reminds me a lot of late Deep Purple's music(and this is not a bad thing). Overall it is pretty listenable album with good sound, but I don't believe that it will become classic one. As Bruce himself said : ''heavy metal for grownups''. Can't wait to see the live show this summer in Bulgaria! Cheers!
I liked the entire album. One thing I noticed is how much better Bruce’s voice is. He is singing better than in the last 3 albums they released in Iron Maiden.
I wish Iron Maiden would release more “spontaneous” songs instead of those 10 minute long journeys.
IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shadow of the Gods is one of the best Bruce songs of all time!! I loved the whole album too!! 💯 Chemical Wedding is still my favorite BUT Shadow of the God's like I said is my favorite Bruce Dickinson song of all time!
I’ve only listened to it once. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t really grab me. Something about it seems like it’s going to grow on me in a big way, but I won’t know for sure until I’ve listened a few more times.
Resurrection Man is my favorite so far. It's like The Outlaws with a Black Sabbath jam in the middle. Very different for Bruce. The whole album is great though. I love it.
There was no hype about Mandrake Project, as Bruce, and Co have deluvered a masterpiece concept album!
#UpTheMetalPilgrims
\m/ \m/
I love it!!! It’s a grower though
Musically, brilliant. Vocal performance is superb. What lets this album down is the production.
Please explain and tell me on what device do you listen to it
I felt like eternity has failed accually sounds like a direct successor to if eternity should fail, sounds like: you see, all of that and yet eternity HAS failed you. Thinking like that made the song hit me too hard
This one ages like a fine wine, it's not that great the first listen but gets better and better
Your attitude only increases my expectations,this better be a good album.
Going to wait a bit before trying it out,was actually listening to Maiden's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son" in full for the first time.
The bits you played do give off good impressions,but I still hope this isn't plagued by modern Iron Maiden's crass self-indulgence,otherwise I'm out.
The last 3 songs all being the ballads is not a good sign at all,but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt until actual listen.
And I'll go on assuming that the comparison of the closer to Inamorata is on the basis of it being the best song on the album,and not the only good one.
Yes. Next question.
'Many Doors of Hell' also reminds me a bit of 'Devil on a Hog' chorus.
I love this album. Bruce does what he wants and doesnt care what we think. I will love him forever even if he did a jazz album or big band.
He cares a lot. He can't sell albums if fans don't want to buy it. He cares also a lot about tickets. Are you fall down on your head??
i've listened twice now. it's the first dickinson record where there's not one song i dislike. i have to give it a few more listens, but i like how it flows and how he's constantly referencing his past. the mix is fantastic, bruce's vox are top form and the playing is fantastic. it's also not very "metal", which is a-ok with me.
So far I’m enjoying the album. 🤘I could go if he tours to Atlantic Canada 🇨🇦 or close to us. 🤘🇺🇦🇨🇦
Shadow of the gods is the beat song from his whole solo career imo
Tears of the dragon you mean
book of thel
I really enjoy this album, big fan of Bruce solo records here, I think it's the stronger record involving Bruce Dickinson since Iron Maiden's Brave New World or maybe even since The Chemical Wedding