Former and current Iron Maiden, and former Samson vocalist. He released his first solo effort while still in Maiden. "Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter" was originally a Dickinson song featured on the soundtrack for 'A Nightmare On Elm Street 5', and helped spawn the idea of a solo-carreer. Bruce has reunited with Maiden, but will continue to release solo-albums. Dickinson has one of heavy metals defining voices.
TATTOOED
MILLIONAIRE (1990, 2005) SANCTUARY
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Line-up: Vocals: Bruce
Dickinson |
In 1990, while still very much a part of Iron Maiden, Bruce Dickinson was asked if he would consider writing a song for the then upcoming "A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child" movie. He penned and recorded "Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter", with the help of ex-Gillan axe-man, Janick Gers. Bruce enjoyed the experience so much, he lied to the record company, and told them he had enough material for a full album. Janick and Bruce started writing songs., and eventually put together a full band to start recording. The result became 'Tattooed Millionaire'.
"Tattooed Millionaire" is in purposes intended, a solo album. So those looking for Iron Maiden part 2, look elsewhere. You can hear and feel that the vibe in the studio was loose and playful. This band is having fun, yet creating lasting music. Already in the opening track, a story about a mad cult-leader, "Son Of A Gun", you hear that Bruce knows how to write memorable songs outside of the parameters of his main band. Other choice cuts include the title track, the autobiographical "Born In '58" and the ballad, "Gypsy Road". And although this doesn't comapre much to Iron Maiden, it still sounds very much like Bruce. By today's standards, some might call it hard rock. To me this is still metal, yet leaning more on the vibe from the 70's. That is also why a song like "All The Young Dudes", a David Bowie penned Mott The Hoople cover, works so well on the album.
Bruce didn't leave Iron Maiden for yet another 3 or 4 years after recording 'Tattooed Millionaire'. However, he brought Janick Gers back with him, replacing Adrian Smith.
The expanded edition comes with an extra disc with 11 bonus tracks. All of them picked from B-sides and other exclusive releases. The live tracks were recorded at the Town & Country Club in LA, on the 14th of August. A VHS release of that concert was also released, under the name of 'Dive! Dive! Live!'. "Riding With The Angels" was originally written and performed by Russ Ballard. But Bruce's old band, Samson, also used to cover it. "Black Night" is of course a Deep Purple cover, and "Sin City" is an AC/DC original.
Trivia: The song "Bring Your Daughter... To The Slaughter', that started this whole solo adventure, never made it to the full length album. Steve Harris liked it so much, he convinced Bruce to have Iron Maiden re-record it, and put it on their 'No Prayer For The Dying' album. When released as a single, it became the first chart topping 45 for them.
Killer tracks: Son Of A Gun, Tattooed Millionaire, Born In '58, Gypsy Road
BALLS
TO PICASSO (Expanded Edition) (1994, 2005) SANCTUARY
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Line-up: Bruce
Dickinson - Vocals Doug Van Booven - Percussion Guests: Dickie Fliszar - Drums on 10 Mario Aguilar - Backing Vocals on 7 Dean Ortega - Backing Vocals on 7 |
Bruce returned with his second solo album, shortly after having left Iron Maiden for good (or so we thought at the time). With him this time around was a bunch of all new faces, made up of members of the band Tribe Of Gypsies. Most noticeable, this was the first collaboration between Bruce and Roy Z (later to do wonders for Rob Halford and Rob Rock). Roy co-wrote all but 1 of the tracks on the original album, but he did not produce it. That would come into action on later occasions. Bruce actually tried 2 other producers, and a different backing band, before settling on the Tribe Of Gypsies and producer Shay Baby.
The result is a more mature album than 'Tattooed Millionaire'. The production is warmer, resulting in a richer sound. The songwriting is way more experimental than it's predecessor, yet the album feels more like one unit, instead of just separate songs put together to complete a CD. While maybe not a full on metal album per se, it still offers some heavy moments in songs like "Hell No" and "Fire". But for the most part this is a much more melodic effort, where Bruce gets to use the varieties of his voice, and not just scream out the vocals on top of a galloping rhythm most of the time. For example, there are 2 beautiful ballads here, both showcasing some of the most touching moments ever from Bruce. I believe 'Balls To Picasso' captures what Bruce himself wanted to sound like as a solo artist. I played the heck out of it when it was new, and I still love it as much today as I did back then.
'Balls To Picasso' spawned 4 singles, and some of them were released in several different versions. So the 2005 Expanded Edition comes with a bonus disc with 16(!!) bonus tracks, all previously available on the mentioned single releases. "The Breeding House" is a really heavy number, with a galloping rhythm reminding me of those old Maiden classics. "Wind Of Change" was originally recorded for the 'Tattooed Millionaire' sessions, and released on the B-side of the single for the title track. As usual Bruce delivers some less than serious numbers. Titles such as "Elvis Has Left The Building" and "The Post Alternative Seattle Fall Out" speaks volumes of the mans humor. I must say that Sanctuary did a stellar job with these Deluxe Remastered Expanded Editions, as they truly gives the fans everything from the era of the original release, including all the alternative artwork (the cardboard sleeve and the original artwork shown above), and extensive liner notes is a filled-to-the-brim booklet.
Killer tracks: Hell No, Change Of Heart, Shoot All The Clowns, Sacred Cowboys, Tears Of The Dragon
ALIVE
IN STUDIO A (1995) RAW POWER (2-CD)
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A double live offering this time. A sticker on the cover says it's a special 2-CD edition, but I've never found one in a single CD format. The first disc is actually live in a studio, with no audience. The band is new, and not quite tight yet. The second disc is live at the Marquee club, and a bit better. The band sound tighter, and the live feel is more present. All in all, not a classic live-album, and not a frequent player at all.
SKUNKWORKS
(1996) RAW POWER
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Line-up: Vocals: Bruce
Dickinson |
This CD was not supposed to go under the Bruce Dickinson name. It was to be the band that was called Skunkworks, but the record company off course wanted it different. Well, be it Bruce Dickinson or be it Skunkworks, I think it kind of sucks. It is the least Maiden sounding of all Bruce Dickinson albums, and a more modern sounding effort. I don't care much for it, although it sounds better each time I hear it. Bruce' worst disc ever!
Killer tracks: Back From The Edge, Meltdown
ACCIDENT
OF BIRTH (Expanded Edition) (1997, 2005)
SANCTUARY
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Line-up: Bruce Dickinson: Voices Roy Z: Guitar, Mellotron & Piano Adrian Smith: Guitar Eddie Cassillas: Bass David Ingraham: Drums |
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original European cover art |
original American cover art |
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After the disappointment of 'Skunkworks', both the band, and the album, Bruce Dickinson brings together the 'Balls To Picasso' line-up once again. And this time they are joined by ex-Maiden axe-man, Adrian Smith. The result is 'Accident Of Birth', perhaps the finest solo effort from the Air Raid Siren.
In every way this is a return to form. And not only a return to Bruce's solo effort form. No, in a time when Iron Maiden were trying to reinvent themselves musically, releasing sub-par, dark, moody & epic albums with Blaze Bayley, Bruce delivers a full blown, classic heavy metal platter. 'Accident Of Birth' is heavier than any of its predecessors. And with Adrian Smith once again at Bruce's side, many of these songs could have easily been on any classic Maiden album. However, there is one mans contribution that cannot be ignored on this album. Roy Z is not only responsible for the warm, yet in-your-face and heavy production, he has also co-written all of the songs, and is playing guitar, mellotron and piano. Thus, I'm led to think that Roy is the true creator of the sound Bruce Dickinson ended up with on this phenomenal record. But as is the case with any satisfying meal, it is all the ingredients put together that makes the experience. Bruce is delivering the performance of his lifetime, sounding hungry and passionate all the way through. He is also mixing it up with powerhouse vocals on the heavy rockers, and some heartfelt wailing on the ballads (There are 4 of them on the original 12 track album). Adrian is easily recognized, with his roomy sound and outlandish feel. Roy is riffing like no others, and in hindsight, after hearing his work with Rob Halford and Rob Rock, it is easy to hear his presence in all of the compositions and the playing. And all of this is brought together by some amazing songs. Songs that reels you in with heavy hooks, and unforgettable choruses. I mean, a song like "Accident Of Birth" is so good it is almost scary! I never seem to grow tired of this album, and keep coming back to it all the time.
2 singles were released from this album. And in 2005 'Accident Of Birth' was remastered and reissued. This Expanded Edition comes with all the exclusive tracks from those singles on a 9 track bonus disc. The new version also features 2 different versions of the cover art. The cardboard wrapping has the original cover for the 'Man Of Sorrow'-EP/single, while the booklet cover is a larger version of the original European cover. I've also included the original versions above. All of them done by none other than Derek Riggs, the man responsible for all of the classic Iron Maiden art.
Killer tracks: Taking The Queen, Darkside Of Aquarius, Road To Hell, Man Of Sorrows, Accident Of Birth, Welcome To The Pit, Omega
THE
CHEMICAL WEDDING (1998) AIR RAID
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Line-up: Vocals: Bruce Dickinson Guitar: Roy Z Guitar: Adrian Smith Bass: Eddie Casillas Drums: David Ingraham |
Another awesome disc from Bruce. This time it's a concept-album. It's all about this fellow who wants to learn how to make gold. A bit darker, and not so in your face, but almost as good as the former album. It might sound a bit complex at first, but I don't think anyone need more than 2 round, before this goes down with any headbanger. This was to be the last studio album from Bruce Dickinson before he rejoined Iron Maiden.
Killer tracks: Jerusalem, Killing Floor, Chemical Wedding
SCREAM
FOR ME BRAZIL (1999) AIR RAID
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Second live offering by the Air Raid Siren in person. This strikes me as a somewhat unnecessary release. Guess it was put out as a compromise, when Bruce rejoined Iron Maiden. Bruce is very eager to continue to pursue his solo-career, although he now is back home where he belongs. (His next release shows just that). 'Scream For Me Brazil' is a manifestation of what we witnessed on the Chemical Wedding Tour. The album is quite good, actually. It's another nice edition to the collection. Some of the songs are even better in a live setting. But if you wanna get into Bruce career, buy the regular release instead.
THE
BEST OF BRUCE DICKINSON (2001) METAL-IS (2-CD)
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CD1: The Best Of Bruce Dickinson
CD2: Special Edition: Tracks From The Vaults
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The interesting thing about a 'Best Of..'-album, is seldom the stuff that's on the other regular albums. It's the stuff the record companies put on to please the fans, who already have all the other stuff. And on this 'Best Of..'-platter, we are treated to some real goodies. A whole bonus disc, with 14 tracks, all 'From The Vaults'. There are even 2 new tracks on the regular release (disc 2 is supposed to be a limited offering only). From "Wicker Man" (not to be mistaken for the Iron Maiden version on 'Brave New World') to the songs not even titled yet (like "Acoustic Song"), this disc shows how talented Bruce Dickinson really is. It's a mystery to me why none of these songs were released earlier! So this compilation is truly one of the best ones ever released! The only foul taste in my mouth is that Bruce releases this stuff sort of like 'please don't forget my solo-career'. His 8 solo-releases so far, contains 2 live offerings, and this 'best of'-deal. Maybe he should have concentrated on more original material instead.
TYRANNY OF SOULS (2005) MAYAN/SANCTUARY
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Line-up: Bruce Dickinson - Vocals Roy Z - Guitars, Bass on 7, 9 David Moreno - Drums Ray "Geezer" Burke - Bass on 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 Juan Perez - Bass on 2, 3 Maestro Mistheria - All Keyboards |
After Bruce joined Maiden again, one could only hope for a new solo album from the air raid siren himself. It took 7 years before we got treated with this one. 'Tyranny Of Souls' is a little more diveresed than the last 2 efforts from Bruce. It ranks nicely alongside his other solo albums, and one might look upon it as sort of a culimination of all his prior work. "Adbuction" is the first song here, and this is probably the most Maiden-sounding tracks on the CD. Bruce also shot a music video for this track. "Soul Intruders" is up next, and this could have fitted nicely on "Accident Of Birth". The songs is a typcal Roy Z/Bruce Dickinson collaboration. "Kill Devil Hill" is another Roy Z signature, with a riff heavier then a freight train, but with a much more melodic chorus. "Navigate The Seas Of The Sun" brings it down quite a bit, with acoustic gutars and all. The song reminds me of the softer sides of "Balls To Picasso". And so on goes the entire album. I can't imagine any fan of Dickinson not liking this album, as it has the man's trademarks written all over it. It is no wonder that this man is one of my all time vocalist heroes.
Killer tracks: Soul Intruders, Kill Devil Hill, River Of No Return, Tyranny Of Souls
Bruce Dickinson guest appearances:
V/A - 'Rock Aid Armenia'
V/A - 'Nativity In Black- A Tribute To Black Sabbath'
Ayreon - 'Universal Migrator Part 2'
Tribuzy - 'Execution'
Roy Z guest appearances:
Steel Prophet - 'Dark Hallucinations'
Warrior - 'Ancient Future'
Warrior - 'The Code Of Life'
Tribuzy - 'Execution'
Chris Dale guest appearances:
Tribuzy - 'Execution'
Related artists:
Iron Maiden, Psycho Motel, Warrior, Rob Rock, Balance Of Power
