Seven years have passed since the release of Chemical Wedding, Dickinson's previous studio album on his solo career. Since then I've waited for the new album to take form... I even bought the Best of Bruce Dickinson, which had two new songs. As Iron Maiden (among countless other activities) took a lot of Dickinson's time, the new studio album got postponed a year after a year. Well, now the wait is finally over as one of the most popular voices of metal releases his sixth album titled as Tyranny of Souls.

Musically, Tyranny of Souls is mainly a blend of Accident of Birth and Chemical Wedding. On guitar sections chorus has been used to good effect (pretty much in the vein of Chemical Wedding). Alongside comes the power and edge as well as the evocative darkness especially known from the Accident of Birth era. There's room for both dark heavy metal songs as well as ballad-like compositions. In addition, the eighth song, Devil on a Hog, is a composition similar to those featured on Skunkworks album. All in all, the material on this album is rather good and the diversity to be found makes it an album that should appeal to every fan of Dickinson as well as Iron Maiden.

Unfortunately the production on this album doesn't attain all of my high standards... the rhythm guitar's distorted tone is occasionally a bit thin-sounding. Also slight background distortion occurred few times. Regarding some aspects, the drums could have been mixed better as well, but otherwise the sounds are very successful.

All in all, Crube's latest solo effort is rather solid album, which should deliver the goods for even the more demanding listener. Although it doesn't contain one definite "hit song" in the vein of "Tears of the Dragon", "Man of Sorrows" and the like, it's nonetheless a great album.

Release date: May 23rd, 2005

There are samples on the official Bruce Dickinson website for you to listen.

Visit Artist's Website


- MAGE (May 22nd, 2005)

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LINE-UP:
Dickinson, Bruce: Vocals Z, Roy: Guitars, Bass Moreno, David: Drums
Producer:	Z, Roy
Mixing by:	Unavailable
Mastering by:	Unavailable

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Mars Within (Intro) 02. Abduction 03. Soul Intruders 04. Kill Devil Hill 05. Navigate the Seas of the Sun 06. River of No Return 07. Power of the Sun 08. Devil on a Hog 09. Believil 10. A Tyranny of Souls Length: 43:34