Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson unveiled the video for his latest single, “Afterglow of Ragnarok,” yesterday (30th). The wait is over as the legendary vocalist finally revealed full details for his upcoming seventh solo effort, The Mandrake Project. Produced by Dickinson and Roy Z, the forthcoming effort will arrive on March 1st via BMG. The recently released video, directed by Ryan Mackfall, introduces the main character, Dr. Necropolis, and sets the dark tone for the accompanying 8-page comic prequel included in the 7″ gatefold vinyl of the single. The Mandrake Project is more than just an album. It speaks a dark narrative on subjects of power, abuse, and identity struggle. The comic series, created by Dickinson and scripted by Tony Lee, will release 12 quarterly issues collected into three graphic novels. The first episode will drop in comic shops on January 17, 2024. 

 

Dickinson previously described his latest single as:

“a heavy song and there’s a great big riff driving it…but there’s also a real melody in the chorus that displays the light and shade that the rest of the album brings.”

 

Ryan Mackfall commented:

“Many years before I was a director, I have fond memories of various music videos that spoke to me and one of those was ‘Can I Play With Madness’ by Iron Maiden. For me it defined what a music video is. Little did I know, many years later I’d be on a call with one of the stars of that video, Mr Bruce Dickinson, discussing ideas for a music video. Bruce has felt like a kindred spirit from that moment and it was therefore only right that we attempted to bring the story of ‘Afterglow Of Ragnarok’ to life in a live action form. Naturally the music is a big part of the engine of the music video and this track was a heavy hitter from the first play. But beyond that I firmly believe it’s also the passion of the artist that defines the results – Bruce’s passion is unmatched. I really hope the fans find themselves taking Necropolis’ journey with the mandrake juice time and time again. This is just the start of something very special!”

 

Check out the video again below, pre-order the album here, order the vinyl single via: 

 

Track List:

01) Afterglow Of Ragnarok 

02) Many Doors To Hell 

03) Rain On The Graves 

04) Resurrection Men

05) Fingers In The Wounds 

06) Eternity Has Failed 

07) Mistress Of Mercy 

08) Face In The Mirror 

09) Shadow Of The Gods 

10 Sonata (Immortal Beloved) 

 

 

 

Dickinson and his band will embark on a headline tour next spring and summer. The lineup includes Roy Z on guitar, Dave Moreno on drums, Tanya O’Callaghan on bass, and Mistheria on keyboards. 

 

Tour Dates:

04/18 Guadalajara, MEX @ Diana Theater

04/20 Mexico City, MEX @ Pepsi Theatre

04/24 Curitiba, BRA @ Live Curitiba

04/25 Porto Alegre, BRA @ Pepsi On Stage

04/27 Brasilia, BRA @ Opera Hall

04/28 Belo Horizonte, BRA @ Arena Hall

04/30 Rio De Janeiro, BRA @ Qualistage

05/02 Ribeirao Preto, BRA @ Quinta Linda

05/04 Sao Paulo, BRA @ Vibra

05/18 Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom

05/19 Manchester, UK @ O2 Academy

05/21 Swansea, UK @ Arena

05/23 Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

05/24 London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town

05/26 Paris, FRA @ L’Olympia

05/28 Tilburg, NED @ 013

05/29 Groningen, NED @ De Oosterport

06/01 Budapest, HUN @ Barba Negra

06/03 Bucharest, ROU @ Arenale Romane

06/05-08 Gdansk, POL @ Mystic Festival *

06/05-08 Solvesborg, SWE @ Sweden Rock Festival *

06/09 Oslo, NOR @ Rockefeller

06/11 Stockholm, SWE @ Grona Lund

06/13 Helsinki, FIN @ House Of Culture

06/14 Tallinn, EST @ Noblessner Foundry

06/16 Berlin, GER @ Huxleys Neue Welt

06/17 Hamburg, GER @ Grosse Freiheit 36

06/19-22 Copenhagen, DEN @ Copenhell *

06/21 Dessel, BEL @ Graspop Metal Meeting *

06/22 Grenchen, SUI @ Summerside Festival *

06/24 Mannheim, GER @ Zeltfestival Rhein-Neckar *

06/25 Munich, GER @ Circus Krone

06/27-30 Clisson, FRA @ Hellfest *

06/30 Esch-Sur-Alzette, LUX @ Rockhal

07/03-06 Ballenstedt, GER @ Rockharz Open Air *

07/05 Rome, ITA @ Ippodrome Delle Capannelle *

07/06 Vincenza, ITA @ Bassano Del Grappa, Metal Park *

07/09 Koln, GER @ E-Werk

07/13 Zagreb, CRO @ Hala

07/16 Sofia, BUL @ Kolodrum Arena

07/19 Istanbul, TUR @ Kucukciftlik Park

07/21 Athens, GRE @ Release * 

* – festival performance