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Even after 40+ years and roughly two dozen records, Bruce Dickinson<\/a><\/strong> has lost very little of the voice that made him a metal god to virtually all genre fans. True, it’s been a long time<\/em> since his last LP (2005’s Tyranny of Souls<\/em>); yet, his consistently stellar performances on the four Iron Maiden<\/a><\/strong> LPs that came out after it showcased his timeless vivaciousness and talent. So, too, does Tyranny of Souls<\/em>‘ long-awaited follow-up, The Mandrake Project<\/em>. Although it’s occasionally uninvolving, the vast majority of it finds Dickinson<\/a><\/strong><\/strong> returning to his solo side with as much engrossing power and panache as when he left.<\/p>\n Actually, The Mandrake Project<\/em> is likely one of the most ambitious, well, projects Dickinson<\/a><\/strong><\/strong>‘s even done since it includes not only the album but also a comic series<\/a>. In fact, it’s been in development since 2014<\/a> and sees him collaborating once again with producer\/bassist Roy “Z” Ramirez<\/strong>, drummer Dave Moreno<\/strong>, and keyboardist Mistheria<\/strong>. Conceptually, he’s said<\/a> that it centers on “a guy who is looking for his identity, Dr. Necropolis<\/strong>. He’s an orphan, he’s a genius, and he hates it, and he hates life, but he’s involved in [nefarious scientific venture] The Mandrake Project<\/em>.”<\/p>\n \n