The song, inspired by a rainy excursion to William Wordsworth’s grave in the picturesque Lake District, encapsulates Dickinson’s signature style. With a towering guitar riff, dramatic keyboards, and Dickinson’s commanding vocals, ‘Rain On The Graves’ delves into themes of mortality and the timeless allure of artistic sacrifice. The frontman reflects on the origins of the song, stating, “I had the chorus lyric since I visited Grasmere for a wedding back in 2012, and it wasn’t difficult years later to create the rest of the song with so much rich imagery in my head!”

The accompanying video, shot against the wintery backdrop of Cornwall and directed by Ryan Mackfall, features Dickinson in a riveting performance as a preacher negotiating with the Devil, with his ‘House Band from Hell’ in tow.

Following the success of the acclaimed track ‘Afterglow Of Ragnarok’, ‘Rain On The Graves’ serves as another testament to the inventive and expansive nature of ‘The Mandrake Project’. The album, co-created with producer Roy Z, promises to be one of the defining rock releases of 2024.

However ‘The Mandrake Project’ is more than just an album; it’s a multimedia experience. Accompanying the music is a dark, adult-themed comic series of the same name, penned by Dickinson himself and scripted by Tony Lee, illustrated by Staz Johnson, and featuring covers by industry heavyweight Bill Sienkiewicz. Set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius, the series explores themes of power, abuse, and identity. The first episode made its debut on January 17, with the special Collector’s Edition selling out within 48 hours.

Bruce Dickinson and his band will bring ‘The Mandrake Project’ to life on a headline tour this spring and summer. An extra show in Wolverhampton at The Halls on May 16 has just been added, with presale details available here.

‘The Mandrake Project’ will mark Bruce Dickinson’s seventh solo album, hitting the global music scene on March 1 through BMG. Fans can secure their copy by pre-ordering here. Stay tuned for more updates on the progression of ‘The Mandrake Project’ as the narrative intricacies unfold within this multifaceted musical project.

Catch Bruce Dickinson and band live on the following dates:

16/05/24 – The Halls – Wolverhampton

18/05 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow

19/05 – O2 Academy – Manchester

21/05 – Arena – Swansea

23/05 – Rock City – Nottingham

24/05 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London

The track will be the first single from his upcoming solo album, The Mandrake Project, with this being his first solo project since 2005. Due for release on 1st December, Dickinson shared a teaser video to hype up his fans.

In a press release Dickinson said, “it was important to set the tone of the project with this track,” with him promising that it will be staying loyal to his rock roots.

He continued, “As befitting its title, it’s 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… and just wait until you see the video!”

Afterglow of Ragnarok – The new single from Bruce’s ‘The Mandrake Project’!

Out 1st Dec and available to pre-order on Deluxe Gatefold 7″ Vinyl and pre-save on your favourite streaming platform – https://t.co/6wGZY9gkc3

The vinyl single includes the B-side ‘If Eternity Should… pic.twitter.com/9tCciiabAg

— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) November 6, 2023

The album, The Mandrake Project, will focus on the struggle that comes with power and establishing your identity, overlaid on a backdrop of science and the occult. The release date has not yet been confirmed, but fans can expect it to be available in 2024. When purchasing the album, fans will receive an accompanying comic book series that further explores the story of the album.

The comic book series will be a trilogy, focusing on “a dark, adult story of power, abuse and a struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius.”

Listen to Dickinson divulge more information on the project below, in which he shares that “it’s music but it’s also much much more,” with him revealing that it’s been in the works since 2014.

Dickinson has also announced a solo tour, set to begin in May 2024. He will be touring the UK and Europe. Tickets are available to purchase here.

Preorder the 7 inch vinyl edition of “Afterglow of Ragnarok” complete with comic book here.

18/05/2024 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
19/05/2024 – Manchester Academy – Manchester
21/05/2024 – Swansea Arena – Swansea
23/05/2024 – Rock City – Nottingham
24/05/2023 – O2 Forum Kentish Town – London

Stream Bruce Dickinson’s solo work here.

Now, as the singer has just turned 65, Dickinson has revealed that he has had to take a massive step back from flying-at least with the commercial plane variety. Speaking to Triple M Rock, Dickinson said, “I just turned 65. In most jurisdictions in the world, if you’re a pilot – a commercial pilot – at 65, they sneak you round the back and just put a bullet in your brain. Like an old dog or an old horse, gotta put it down now. The last time I went near a commercial aircraft to fly it was in 2017.”

The Iron Maiden frontman has also embarked on a few solo projects over the years, recently announcing his seventh solo endeavour The Mandrake Project which is due for release sometime in early 2024. And the singer still somehow manages to find the time to indulge in his passion for fencing-a sport he has participated in since the 1980s.

Dickinson continued, “I’m still fencing. I’m a veteran now. There’s a vets team and I still do Commonwealth championships. Being a vet is brilliant, actually, because all you have to do is survive and wait, and eventually everybody else will die, then you get in the team.”

Dickinson recently revealed that Iron Maiden have absolutely no plans to call it a day, with enthusiasm within the band still at its highest. Demand for the group could not be any more apparent as the band are set to continue their highly successful Future Past Tour in Australia and New Zealand in September of 2024. Dickinson will also be touring his solo project in the Spring in Mexico and South America.

Bruce Dickinson announces #TheMandrakeProject

Coming early 2024…#BruceDickinson #Album #Tour pic.twitter.com/6WNzzqj3b9

— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) September 21, 2023

The album will include collaborator Roy Z, a guitarist who has been apart of nearly every single solo album Dickinson has released since 1994’s Balls to Picasso

Not a lot more information has been released about the album however, with a tracklist or a lead single yet to be revealed.

In a press release Dickinson said: “This album has been a very personal journey for me and I am extremely proud of it, Roy Z and I have been planning, writing and recording it for years, and I am very excited for people to finally hear it. I’m even more excited at the prospect of getting out on the road with this amazing band that we have put together, to be able to bring it to life. We’re planning to play as many shows as we can in as many places as possible, for as many people as we can! As for what The Mandrake Project actually is… all will be revealed soon!”

Dickinson has announced a tour of Mexico and Brazil which begins in Guadalajara on April 18, 2024. No other dates have been announced, however it seems like Dickinson has plans to spread the tour across other regions, as he said: “I’m even more excited at the prospect of getting out on the road with this amazing band that we have put together, to be able to bring it to life, we’re planning to play as many shows as we can in as many places as possible, for as many people as we can!”

This will be Dickinson’s 7^th solo album overall since releasing his first, Tattooed Millionaire, in 1990.

Earlier this year, Dickinson had been recently touring spoken word poetry across Europe. He has also spent the year touring with Iron Maiden in support of their latest album Senjutsu, released two years ago in 2021 alongside celebrating 1986 Sci-fi inspired classic, Somewhere In Time.

Iron Maiden continue touring North America until early October, bring the tour to a close at the jam-packed Power Trip Festival in California. It can be assumed that more details regarding the album will be released sometime after the tour has commenced.