Bruce Dickinson graced the world again with his talents on May 24, 2005 with his latest release, Tyranny of Souls. This marks his sixth studio album and he does not disappoint. On to the songs.

"Mars Within" (intro)

This brief intro sets the tone for the next track...

"Abduction"

This song comes flying out the gate with some of the best riffs Roy Z has ever laid down. Bruce himself is in top form on this track. A fast paced rocker about alien abduction that does not disappoint on any level. It had me singing like a loon along with the chorus, be very glad you don't live with me.

"Soul Intruders"

I can not do justice to this song with mere words but I will try. It opens with crunchy mega distorted guitars that would make the heaviest of metal bands proud. Killer double bass leads one to think it will be a very fast song, but as the verse starts it slows down and hits a groove. A very melodic chorus inspires sing-along, I wisely let the wife do the singing along on this song. Just for good measure the song ends just as it begins, massive guitars and thundering double bass.

"Kill Devil Hill"

A slow esoteric beginning, almost Maidenesque, sets the tone for this track. I am too lazy to google for any significance of the title of the song, and truthfully I really don't care. The way the instruments and Bruce’s voice intertwine with each other leave me grinning and drooling like an idiot. The high point of this song is the acoustic solo Roy Z lays down at the end of the song. A truly beautiful thing.

"Navigate The Seas Of The Sun"

I will say right now that had I heard this song 10 years ago, I would have been screaming it ruined the album. Now as I am older and really appreciate the work that goes into acoustic guitar driven songs, I freely admit this song has its place on the album. Brief appearances from a single searing note on an electric only serve to accentuate the song. I do question the decision to include an electric solo. Although it is very beautifully written, and played with a flamenco flavored acoustic solo right on its heels, it just doesn’t sit right. Otherwise, a stand out acoustic track the way it should be done.

"River Of No Return"

This is the song that strikes me as being the one that some people will love and others will hate. A mid tempo affair that dwells on our own mortality, flawlessly executed by Bruce and the band. There isn't much I can say that will influence your decision about it, so just listen to it and make up your own mind.

"Power Of The Sun"

This is more like it. Another fast paced rocker that starts with some strange ass effect. The guitars almost scream Maiden, and had I not seen the CD cover I would have sworn it was a new Maiden original from an upcoming album. Very smart lyrics that would have made even Blue Oyster Cult proud, had it been their song. You can really tell Roy Z was going for a Maiden feel in the lead breaks. He does a very good job, pulling it off. A great way to get back into a metal frame of mind after the previous acoustic and mid tempo intermission.

"Devil On A Hog"

OK, Bruce confuses me with this song. It sounds like it could have been a left over from Tattooed Millionaire. Not saying it is a bad song, but it really interrupts the flow of the album for me. However, Bruce pulls a page form the Carpenters book of recording techniques. He sings all three parts of a three part harmony, very nice. Roy Z does a very good lead that is loaded with fuzz, or just very heavily flanged (perhaps even both), I am guessing. I always have hell telling effects apart. I like the song but feel it should have been elsewhere in the track listing.

"Believil"

The beginning of this song reminds me of “Laughing In The Hiding Bush” from Balls To Picasso, one of my favorite tracks off that album. Needless to say this song scores high points on that alone. A slow paced metallic affair with a huge sound. Black Sabbath wish they could still write songs like this. Pure fucking Evil, folks.

"A Tyranny Of Souls"

Another evil sounding song, and a perfect ending to this cornucopia of metal. Bruce easily goes from a raspy scream to crystal clear singing. He proves you don't have to write a fast paced song to be metal, something that a lot of people have forgotten. Roy Z does abuse the fuck out of his wah pedal in the solo though, something I have grown kind of weary of as of late. Go outside, throw the horns, scream “Praise Satan”, and scare the hell out of your neighbors after this song is over. You will be glad you did.

A lyrical theme about a higher power runs throughout this album, but I hesitate it to call it a concept album. Mainly as none of the songs are really connected to each other. I digress though. This album is fucking metal. I swear, if it could take on a life of its own, it would challenge my Slayer CDs to a duel.

I do feel, that if Adrian Smith had lent a hand once again, it would have been even better. His playing is so graceful it is astounding. Roy Z's production is still a bit on the dry side, but he is getting better. I have no bitches about his guitar playing. The other musicians who are present hold up their end of the bargain very well.

The real shame is that this album will do very good to sell 25,000 copies in the United States. One of the best, if not the best traditional metal album of 2005, and it will go virtually unnoticed. Go out now and buy it. You will not be disappointed.

Bruce Dickinson

"Tyranny Of Souls"

Rating:                                 

Reviewed by:

OD3X1

Artwork used with permission from Neverland Music Inc.