Bruce Dickinson album next month

Bruce Dickinson releases his sixth studio album through Mayan/Sanctuary Records on May 23. Seven years have elapsed since the vocalist's last fully-fledged solo release, 'The Chemical Wedding', during which time he made a hugely successful return to Iron Maiden, recording two highly acclaimed albums and touring the globe several times.

'A Tyranny Of Souls' sees him renewing a fruitful collaboration with guitarist/producer/writer Roy Z, of the Latin-based rock group, Tribe Of Gypsies. Z has worked with Bruce's since 1994's 'Balls To Picasso' album, also producing the likes of Helloween, Downset, Halford and most recently Judas Priest's reunion album, 'Angel Of Retribution'.

A deejay, broadcaster and qualified airline pilot, Bruce is a man for all seasons whose punishing schedule would terrify a less driven soul. It was following on from the end of the last Maiden tour that Bruce saw an opportunity to work alongside Roy again.

'Tyranny Of Souls' is an album of remarkable poise and accomplishment. Much like the man that made it, its 10 tracks encompass various moods. The album takes the listener on an adventurous journey. It begins in punishing fashion, all apocalyptic drumming and fiery guitar work, before 'Navigate The Seas Of The Sun' supplies what Bruce calls "a little chill-out moment". From there, it builds to a spectacular conclusion, with many high-points along the way.

The album's piece de resistance is its title track. At turns soothingly melodic and staggeringly powerful, it can only be described as a juggernaut.

Lyrically, the album dips in and out of sci-fi and aviation-related areas. There are no prizes for guessing what the song 'Abduction' is about, but 'Soul Intruders' is a distant cousin, Bruce wondering aloud whether "there are loose spirits floating around the universe. They can zap into our bodies and inhabit us, a bit like a computer virus, and we don't even know they're there. When we die, they just attach themselves to somebody else."document.write(unescape("