Bruce Dickinson has shared details about his upcoming solo album. He teased a heavy sound and an unexpected twist.
Dickinson confirmed that the new record is currently in the works and gave fans a glimpse into what to expect. He described the album as a standalone project that draws inspiration from his previous work, including a subtle connection to *The Mandrake Project*.
“I’ve got a new record coming out next year, new solo album. It’s kind of standalone,” Dickinson said. “There’s one song that has a bit of something to do with ‘Mandrake’. Now, the album is heavy as shit.”
The singer addressed his approach to creativity and how he avoids repeating himself musically. “I try to not repeat — not because it’s bad. You want to move on and put different nuance on things,” he explained.
Dickinson likened his creative process to seeing the same person in a different light. “It’s like, I would say, if you have an amazing girlfriend and you start thinking, ‘Yeah, I’m getting a little bit bored,’ or something else like that, just turn the lights down and turn it a different way, and you see a side that you think, ‘Oh, my God, she’s absolutely incredible.’ Just the red light there or the green or whatever, and you see the same person in a different day, in a different light.”
He added that while he stays within a particular style, he constantly strives to keep his music fresh. “Music is something which you try not to stick too much of a format, but you are still within a particular… I’m within a particular style, for sure. But I try and vary it as much as I can,” he continued.
The new album was recorded earlier this year at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Northridge, California, with producer Brendan Duffey. The sessions marked a departure from the previous album. The material was tracked live in the studio rather than assembled from various sessions. This gave the record a more cohesive and unified sound. Roughly 18 demos were whittled down to a final tracklist of nine to eleven songs.
The album also features members of Sepultura. They contributed to the recording sessions. Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris, who heard the new material, told Dickinson it was the best solo work he had ever done. The album is expected to arrive in 2027 through BMG. Dickinson wrapped up vocal recordings earlier this year.
