San Diego, CA – At the bustling epicenter of pop culture, San Diego Comic-Con, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson shared significant details regarding his burgeoning solo career. In an exclusive interview with Steve Harkins of TalkShopLive, Dickinson confirmed that his highly anticipated follow-up to "The Mandrake Project" will feature a collaborative effort with his son, Austin Dickinson. This revelation marks a significant moment for the veteran vocalist, blending his storied musical legacy with the talents of his offspring.
Austin Dickinson, a seasoned musician in his own right at 35 years old, is best known for his impactful tenure as the former frontman for the progressive metal bands Rise to Remain and As Lions. His contributions to his father’s new work underscore a deep-seated creative synergy between the two artists. "I’m really lucky that my kids, in particular my oldest son Austin, is a writer," Dickinson stated, as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET. "So the conversations that we have, he bounces ideas off me, I bounce ideas off him. And he’s a musician as well, and he’s a great singer. He had three albums. He was in a band called Rise to Remain. They did a couple of albums. And then he [sang in] a band called – it was his band, actually – As Lions, and they had a bit of a hit and stuff. But it’s tough trying to make a living [playing an up-and-coming band]. I mean, he toured the States and everything and had radio hit. So he got into script writing, which he’s very, very talented. But, of course, that’s no guarantee of success. You just gotta keep plugging away. But he wrote a tune for me on my new record. And when we were recording it, he came round the studio and was just loving it. And it’s gonna be one of the key tracks on the record. And I’d love to work with him again. I mean, he’s what I would describe as a pure creative. His whole life is doing stuff. And you’ve gotta put it somewhere."
The upcoming solo album, slated for an early 2027 release, promises to be a significant undertaking. Dickinson revealed that while the full album will arrive in 2027, fans can expect initial tracks to surface later this year. He also detailed plans for extensive visual content, stating, "Tracks will be out this year, a little bit, so people can hear a little bit of it. At some point this month, I’m shooting four or maybe five videos for it." This strategic rollout aims to build anticipation and engage the fanbase throughout the creative process. Dickinson further hinted at a packed schedule for 2027, expressing confidence in the reception of his future endeavors: "I’m pretty busy in ’27. And I think everybody’s gonna be very happy with what I’m busy with – in every sense of the word."
A Prolific Recording Period and the "Anti-AI Generation" Ethos
The creative output for Dickinson’s latest solo project has been remarkably intense. Earlier this year, in a span of just three weeks, he recorded a staggering 16 songs for the new album. This accelerated recording schedule took place at the renowned Studio 606 in Northridge, California, a facility owned by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. This high-octane approach aligns with Dickinson’s recent statements to Rolling Stone magazine, where he emphasized the organic nature of his recording process. Discussing his health, which has seen him overcome significant physical challenges including hip replacements and a repaired Achilles tendon, Dickinson highlighted the band’s commitment to a live, unadulterated sound. "I just finished a solo record: We did 16 tracks in 21 days, all 100 percent live. It’s like the anti-A.I. generation," he remarked. This sentiment champions a return to traditional recording methods, prioritizing raw performance and authentic musical expression in an era increasingly influenced by digital manipulation.
The formidable touring band that has coalesced around Dickinson for his solo endeavors will also be featured on the new record. This ensemble includes keyboardist Mistheria, drummer Dave Moreno, bassist Tanya O’Callaghan, and guitarists Chris Declercq and Philip Nåslund. Their collective experience and chemistry are expected to contribute significantly to the album’s sonic landscape.
Adding to the album’s collaborative tapestry, Sepultura guitarist Andreas Kisser revealed in April that he contributed percussion to Dickinson’s new LP, having shared photos of himself with Dickinson at Studio 606. This guest appearance further broadens the musical influences and connections present in the project.
The Evolution of Dickinson’s Solo Work: From "The Mandrake Project" to Future Visions
"The Mandrake Project," Dickinson’s eighth solo album, released in March 2024 via BMG, served as a significant re-entry into the solo music scene after a hiatus. This album was largely recorded at Los Angeles’s Doom Room, with Dickinson’s long-term co-writer and producer Roy "Z" Ramirez handling guitar and bass duties. The recording lineup for "The Mandrake Project" also featured Mistheria and Moreno, echoing their involvement in Dickinson’s previous solo studio album, "Tyranny Of Souls" (2005).
In August of the previous year, Dickinson offered a glimpse into the sonic direction of his new material to Metal Hammer. He described the upcoming songs as encompassing a wide emotional spectrum, ranging from "bone-crushingly heavy" to deeply poignant, "tug[ging] at the heartstrings." This duality suggests an album that embraces the full breadth of Dickinson’s vocal and compositional capabilities. "If it’s heavy, it’s heavy," he stated, "but if it just happens to be acoustic, it’s acoustic. That’s the deal, you know? It’s whatever the song dictates, whatever the story is you’re trying to tell, but it’s really exciting. I’m so stoked about these tracks. I played the demos to a few people in the record label and stuff, and everybody is like, ‘Wow!’"
Further elaborating on his production choices, Dickinson had previously indicated to Charlie Kendall of Charlie Kendall’s Metalshop that he intended to work with Brendan Duffey, who had previously remixed Dickinson’s 1994 album, "Balls To Picasso." He confirmed that the band performing on the new record would be the same ensemble that accompanied him on his European tour, and that they were slated to tour again in 2027 to support the new release.
Touring and Musical Lineups: A Look Back and Forward
The "The Mandrake Project Live 2025" North American tour saw Dickinson reunited with his 2024 backing band, comprising Moreno, Mistheria, and O’Callaghan. They were joined by new additions: Swedish guitarist, songwriter, and multi-platinum producer Philip Nåslund, and Swiss session and touring guitarist Chris Declercq, who contributed to Dickinson’s single "Rain On The Graves." Notably, Roy "Z" Ramirez was not part of the touring lineup.
The tour commenced on August 22, 2025, in Anaheim, California, at the House of Blues, traversing North America with stops in major cities and festival appearances at Rocklahoma and Louder Than Life. The band also made a brief return to Brazil for the prestigious The Town festival in São Paulo. Prior to the April 12, 2024, performance at the Whisky A Go Go, Dickinson’s last solo outing was at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany in August 2002.
The musical journey of Bruce Dickinson’s solo career is marked by a consistent evolution and a deep appreciation for his collaborators. Roy "Z" Ramirez, a pivotal figure, played guitar on "Balls To Picasso" and subsequently produced, co-wrote, and performed on multiple instruments for four of Dickinson’s solo albums: "Accident At Birth" (1997), "The Chemical Wedding" (1998), "Tyranny Of Souls" (2005), and "The Mandrake Project."
Bassist Tanya O’Callaghan, an Irish musician, brought her talents to Whitesnake in 2021, embarking on a tour with the band in 2022. She also collaborated with Dickinson in 2023, performing Jon Lord’s "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" across Europe and South America. Californian drummer Dave Moreno, who featured on "Tyranny Of Souls," has a diverse resume, including work with Body Count, Jizzy Pearl, Dizzy Reed, and Steve Stevens. Italian keyboard virtuoso Mistheria has a rich history of collaborations with artists such as Rob Rock, Mike Portnoy, Jeff Scott Soto, and Joel Hoekstra.
Adding another layer to his solo discography, Dickinson’s reworked version of his 1994 album, "Balls To Picasso," retitled "More Balls To Picasso," was released in July 2025, offering a fresh perspective on his earlier work.
A Legacy in Music: Iron Maiden and Solo Ventures
Bruce Dickinson’s indelible mark on heavy metal began with his recording debut with Iron Maiden on the iconic "The Number Of The Beast" album in 1982. His departure from the band in 1993 to focus on his solo career led to the recruitment of Blaze Bayley. However, the synergy between Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith proved too strong to ignore, and they reunited with Iron Maiden in 1999, ushering in a new era for the legendary band. This cyclical nature of his career highlights his enduring passion and creative drive, both within the collective force of Iron Maiden and through his individual artistic explorations. The collaboration with his son Austin on his forthcoming solo album further solidifies this legacy, ensuring that his musical spirit continues to resonate across generations.
