Written: 25th May 2024
Earlier this year, world famous vocalist Bruce Dickinson released his first solo album for almost twenty years – the deeply conceptual The Mandrake Project. As soon as the album was announced in the latter part of 2023, there was speculation and hope that this would lead to live dates. While Dickinson has been no stranger to solo spoken word shows in recent years – complete with the performance of the occasional track – the prayers of fans were answered as the now 65-year-old Iron Maiden frontman confirmed his return to full band shows under his own name.
By the time Bruce Dickinson took to the stage in London, the tour (which had already visited South America and various cities in Britain) was more than a dozen dates old and judging by the response on social media, the concerts had been warmly received with reports stating Dickinson was performing with all of his trademark vitality, and singing as well as any time in recent years. As the house lights fade away, the crowd roars as one, and prepare to witness another show from one of the best heavy metal vocalists of all time.
Following the theme tune from TV show Invaders, the enticing synth laden instrumental Toltec 7 Arrival floats ominously across an audience that already appear committed to the cause. As the band take to the stage, the introductory track gives way to Accident of Birth, the title track from his critically acclaimed 1997 album. From the outset, Dickinson is determined – as always – to make the multitude a part of the show. “Are you ready? Are you fucking ready?” he screams as much in command to prepare as in questioning. The heavy, dark riffing and complex song structure is delivered with fervour by the excellent band Dickinson has assembled, as the vocalist himself already works the crowd like the seasoned professional he is, with every gesture and nuanced note seeming to reach out and touch the audience.
A rampant version of Abduction is followed by a particularly impassioned and powerful performance of Laughing In The Hiding Bush, a track that - judging by the crowd’s response – remains popular to this day. An inexhaustible supply of energy emanates from Dickinson’s band and keyboard maestro Mistheria in particular, who uses keytar for much of the show, allowing him to interact more fully with audience and band members alike. The use of two guitarists – Philip Näslund and Chris Declercq – adds a heavier depth to the sound and the pair make for a formidable duo. The Forum is packed to the rafters as Dickinson mentions when stating he would like to return to London at the larger Brixton Academy – a venue unavailable to book at the time of announcing the tour due to the recent tragedy there. However, we might have to wait a while as he states that he will see the attendees again ‘with his day job.’
Afterglow of Ragnarok is the first of four songs from The Mandrake Project and in the live environment, the track takes on an even darker vehemence. Each track from the new album is welcomed like an old friend and there is a hint of quiet pride in the way that Dickinson talks about them. Many Doors To Hell - accompanied on the screen above drummer Dave Moreno with Hammer Horror images, later we have a cover of Frankenstein by The Edgar Winter Group – is a prime example of Dickinson’s ability to craft catchy, memorable hooks and choruses, tracks that display the full range of his vocals and perfectly balancing the feel of old school metal and more modern flourishes. Separating these two new songs is the incendiary Chemical Wedding – the title track from the most represented album of the evening. In a concert of consistently high quality, the renditions of Chemical Wedding, The Alchemist and Jerusalem (with a heartfelt introduction about its meaning and my personal highlight of the show) during the main set and the compelling epic Book of Thel and blistering attack of The Tower – with the driving bass line expertly played by Tanya O’Callaghan - as part of the encore, serve to illustrate why The Chemical Wedding remains his best solo album. We return to The Mandrake Project with Resurrection Man – in places conjuring the atmosphere of spaghetti westerns – and Rain on the Graves which leads to one of the loudest sing-a-longs of the evening, the twin guitar salvo of Näslund and Declercq working in enthralling melodic harmony.
Bruce Dickinson made it clear before the tour even began that the setlist would feature no songs from Tattooed Millionaire – although All The Young Dudes was played in Wolverhampton to honour Mott The Hoople - and Skunkworks as he felt they would not fit in with the atmosphere he wished to create and the heavier setlist he was devising. Being a fan of both of those albums – I first saw Dickinson solo at the Astoria in 1990 – it would have been good to hear something from them – Son Of A Gun, for example, would have still maintained the feel of the show - but I fully understand his decision to do so. One song that the singer acknowledges he has to play (or in his words, risk a lynching) is Tears Of The Dragon, a track that without doubt delivers the most audience participation of the entire show. Vocally, Dickinson’s execution is flawless and his advancing years and conquering of cancer seemed to have made him all the more determined to make the most of every moment in whichever guise he is singing.
Rounding off the main set with the rousing Darkside of Aquarius, the gathered masses have already been treated to a wonderful setlist and demand that the band return, which they do with Navigate The Seas of The Sun and the previously mentioned Book of Thel and The Tower. It has been a hot and sticky night in the Forum, proving that Dickinson – with the aid of truly proficient band - has lost none of his appeal, proficiency, showmanship or vocal dexterity. During the evening, he alludes to wanting to do another album soon – when time allows of course – and that with seven albums there would need to be four tours before playing the same songs again so it will be interesting to see how quickly that comes to fruition. Based on the ecstatic reception he receives tonight, he will surely want to return in this form sooner rather than later.
Bruce Dickinson Setlist
Toltec 7 Arrival
Accident of Birth
Abduction
Laughing In The Hiding Bush
Afterglow of Ragnarok
Chemical Wedding
Many Doors To Hell
Jerusalem
Resurrection Man
Rain On The Graves
Frankenstein (Edgar Winter Group cover)
The Alchemist
Tears of the Dragon
Darkside of Aquarius
Navigate the Seas of the Sun
Book Of Thel
The Tower
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