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Bruce Dickinson: Tyranny of souls

02/07/09 || Smalley

Bruce Bruce did a pretty good job on this one, especially considering he had injured himself in a fall he took on tour with Maiden, and also considering that he had to work with a guy called Roy Z(!!!) on guitar. But seriously, to write “Tyranny”, Roy sent his riff recordings to Bruce while the latter was still touring with Maiden, and Dickinson then had to find the time in-between shows to write the lyrics and melodies for the album. But this isn’t some half-assed backstory I’m introducing in order to explain away or excuse any shortcomings this record has; it really is a good album, and more than stands on its own two legs as a worthy work, better than the last two Maiden albums do, in fact (note: this is the only Dickinson record I’ve heard in detail, so I can’t bring “Accident” or “Chemical wedding” into my discussion).

Intro track “Mars within” consists of some creepy atmospherics, heavy riffing that goes nowhere, and Bruce asking something about where a professor Quatermass is, and talking about mankind returning “to the stars”, but how sometimes, the stars return to mankind. Yup, another pointless album intro. But all of that nonsense is quickly done away by the riff blast that starts “Abduction” off, then Bruce pipes in with his legendary voice (still sounding great after all these years), and “Tyranny” is off and a-rolling. Both “Abduction” and its follow-up, “Soul intruders”, throw us straight into the darker, heavier sound that distinguishes this album from Bruce’s Maiden records (and allows “Tyranny” to surpass “Dance” and “A matter…” as well), and though it’s a bit of a surprise to hear his voice singing to music that heavy, it’s a surprise you’ll quickly come to appreciate…

The epic Wright brothers tribute “Kill devil hill” (though the name of the town is Kill Devil Hills; doh!) provides an appropriate slack in the album’s pacing, with excellent back-up keyboards, lyrics, and an incredibly inspiring chorus to boot. “Navigate the seas of the sun” is even more epic and inspiring in its sound (excellent use of a piano and acoustic guitar), and is the perfect complement to “Kill”, and after that awesome one-two punch, “River of no return” and the other tracks make this album’s consistency basically perfect, and thus, “Tyranny” manages to close out with every single song (besides the intro) being a more than satisfying listen.

So, based off of “Tyranny”, I really wish Bruce would start spending less time with Maiden (maybe even quit ‘em; hey, he did it before!), and focus on recording more stuff with Roy, since the music that their partnership produced here is livelier overall than the last two Maiden efforts were (not that I hate those, though). The riffs on “Tyranny” are consistently heavier and crunchier, Bruce has more bark and energy in his voice here, the lead guitar work sounds better, and the songwriting in general on “Tyranny” is just more interesting and invigorating. And think, if Bruce and Roy can write an album this good while the former is fitting time around his schedule with Maiden, imagine what they could accomplish with their full energy focused! So please consider cutting the cord already, Bruce; you’ve already managed to record at least six good-to-great albums with Maiden, aren’t offering anything new with them currently, and definitely doing better stuff here with Dr. Z…

8 demands for more Dickinson records out of 10.

Information
Released: 2005
Label: Mayan Records/Sanctuary
Website: www.screamforme.com
Band
Bruce Dickinson: vocals (duh)
Roy Z: guitars, bass
David Moreno: drums
Ray Burke: bass
Juan Perez: bass
Maestro Mistheria: keyboards

Tracklist
01. Mars Within
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

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