Bruce Dickinson - Tyrannyof Souls

Mon 27th Jun, 2005 in Music Reviews

So what has Iron Maiden’s ex lead screamer been up to lately? Its been seven years since Bruce released his last solo album The Chemical Wedding which explored dark Blakean themes and was well received from both fans and reviewers. And in his “spare” time Dicko made a much welcomed return to Iron Maiden working on two huge albums and record breaking live shows and tours.

Tyranny Of Souls, Bruce’s new solo venture, sees him hook up with long-time collaborator Roy Z and quickly knock out an album during Roy Z’s break in producing the latest Judas Priest disc. The album is sodden with tales of the darker side of life exploring dark apocalyptic themes that delve into science, theology and, of course, his love of flight. The lyrics are menacing yet intelligent and thought provoking in the same flaming breathe and the album adorned with a 15th century depiction of hell by Hans Hemling.

Tyranny of Souls opens up with the moody interlude Mars Within that segues into one of the stand-out tracks, Abduction. I’ve always been a big fan of Bruce’s sci-fi and historical lyrics, both solo and with Maiden. Soul Intruders follows the science fiction route with a chorus and melody line reminiscent of Maiden’s Somewhere In Time. Bruce has been criticised in the past for a bit of overkill on his track lengths. This is certainly not the case on Tyranny Of Souls; Kill Devil Hill clocks in at just over five minutes but the focus and pacing of the song doesn’t let it overstay its welcome. And it’s this heavy track filled with double-kick drums and heavy guitar riffs that gives us a glimpse into perhaps where Maiden would have headed if Bruce had not left the band [and had more control over Maiden’s material].

The combination of acoustic guitars and Bruce’s still-stellar pipes and vocal/axe harmonies make Navigate the Seas of the Sea a perfect track to break up the album. River Of No Return picks the pace back up followed by the quick hitter Power Of The Sun that scores one for the fans that prefer the less-is-more constraint of Bruce’s solo work. The dark Believil is one of the album’s highlights; moody, sinister lyrics, guitar work that builds slowly to a monster riff and topped off with the soaring air raid vocals of Bruce Dickinson. The disc wraps things up with the mini-epic title track that leaves the listener hoping its not another seven years between Bruce Dickinson’s solo efforts. Here’s to Bruce finding the time to mount a solo tour to promote this release.

Tyranny of Souls is a killer album with some great production but uses the same formula Bruce has been using since the 1980s. But lovers of all things metal aren’t one to mess with Granny’s Secret Recipe now are they? So if you like Bruce or IronMaiden, this album is a must, really.