Bruce Dickinson has shared the video for “Rain on the Graves,” the second single from his upcoming album. The Mandragora Project.
On the bombastic metal track, Dickinson employs a half-spoken word/half-song delivery that allows him to essentially narrate the lyrics, as he often does on Iron Maiden.
Dickinson co-wrote the music with guitarist Roy Z, and the duo keeps the guitars and organs hot in the mix, creating a gothic power-metal atmosphere that's reflected in the real-life horror of director Ryan Mackfall's video. It's also our first look at Dickinson's “home band from hell,” aka his solo band ensemble.
“I had the lyrics to the chorus in my head ever since I visited Grasmere for a wedding in 2012,” Dickinson said of “Rain on the Graves,” which was inspired by blues pioneer Robert Johnson. “Years later it wasn't difficult to create the rest of the song with so many rich images in my head!”
The song follows lead single “Afterglow of Ragnarok,” our first look at The mandrake project. The 10-song concept album arrives March 1 and explores a “A dark, adult story of power, abuse and struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius.”
The mandrake project It will also be complemented by a series of graphic novels that will be published in 12 quarterly issues. The first issue was published earlier this month and for more information on the series, visit the Z2 Comics website.
Dickinson will support the album's release with an extensive tour in 2024 consisting of stops in South America, the UK and Europe, and you can get tickets now. here.
Watch the video for “Rain on the Graves” below and make your pre-order The mandrake project on vinyl here.
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