George K

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The music of Maiden and Dickinson for me does not need a rating. It is art, a source of inspiration and creation and a point of reference. It's like saying there's Maiden/Dickinson and there's all the other bands Therefore I will dwell on a few points about each song on the album: 1. Afterglow of Ragnarok. Ideal for opening the album and for the 1st track at concerts. Doom riffs, awesome chorus and overall like atmosphere. Definitely one of his best songs ever. It's a bit lacking in a longer solo. 2. Many Doors to Hell. Catchy track with a straightforward refrain. Nice melodic slow spin in the middle of the track and comes back in powerfully closing with a nice melodic solo at the end. It would fit comfortably in Accident of Birth album. 3. Rain on the Graves. Steampunk aesthetics for a horror film! In the video clip, he even shows it with the costumes they wear. Bruce really enjoys it with the comedic element he projects! The track has one of the best solos on the record. 4. Resurrection Men. Heavy Spaghetti western style with a strong Sampath tone! It could also be a cousin song to The Writing on the Wall. For the first time Bruce takes part in the guitar solo. 5. Fingers in the Wounds. Perfectly inspired composition and performance. Characteristics of the piece are the piano and oriental elements. Definitely one of the songs you put in the reply! 6. Eternity Has Failed. Having already heard the Maiden version we would expect to hear perhaps a different song as a follow-up. It is a variant of it, however, that wins the impressions. Maiden's version is pompous. The version of Bruce more straight without losing its shine. It is more mid tempo and that gives it a special dynamic. It honestly rivals If Eternity Should Fail and maybe beats it on points. It may not have the 3 guitars of Maiden but he has a Gus G giving change! The flute has tied too much into the piece. 7. Mistress of Mercy. Another catchy straight rock track with a dynamic chorus. Refers to Freak from the Accident of Birth album. Personally I think it could have been a Skunkworks piece even from Psycho Motel material! 8. Face in the Mirror. Beautiful ballad with a Balls to Picasso aesthetic. 9. Shadow of the Gods. Power ballad with a heavy spin and heavy riffs that make the song a rock! Dynamic composition and execution. 10. Sonata (Immortal Beloved). Perhaps one of Bruce's most characteristic songs that highlight his ability to create music and lyrical art. Theater performance song full of emotion and awesome narration. Amazing closing with nostalgic blues notes. All in all the Mandrake Project is very remarkable lyrically and musically. The Dickinson-Roy Z team has been known for years for guaranteed success. Moreno (drums) and Mistheria (keyboards) contribute to the maximum for the album to take off. Dickinson's long absence from his personal discography has not only not altered his music but has enhanced it. It is a pleasant surprise how well he connects the past of his discography with the present, giving expectations for its future.