Bruce Dickinson unveils ‘Afterglow of Ragnarok’ video

Bruce Dickinson has unveiled the dramatic video for his new single ‘Afterglow of Ragnarok’, the lead single from his upcoming solo album ‘The Mandrake Project’.

The video was unveiled on the opening day of CCXP23, Brazil’s huge Comic-Con event in Sao Paulo. Directed by award-winning director Ryan Mackfall, written by Bruce Dickinson and acclaimed British writer Tony Lee (whose lengthy credits include 2000AD, DC and Marvel ranging from Doctor Who & Star Trek to Spider Man & X-Men), the film unveils Dr Necropolis, the main protagonist at the heart of ‘The Mandrake Project’. It also sets the scene for the story to come, reflecting the dark narrative contained in the 8-page comic book prequel which features in the 7” gatefold vinyl release of the single.

Ryan Mackfall comments, “Many years before I was a director, I have fond memories of various music videos that spoke to me and one of those was ‘Can I Play With Madness’ by Iron Maiden. For me it defined what a music video is. Little did I know, many years later I’d be on a call with one of the stars of that video, Mr Bruce Dickinson, discussing ideas for a music video. Bruce has felt like a kindred spirit from that moment and it was therefore only right that we attempted to bring the story of ‘Afterglow Of Ragnarok’ to life in a live action form. Naturally the music is a big part of the engine of the music video and this track was a heavy hitter from the first play. But beyond that I firmly believe it’s also the passion of the artist that defines the results – Bruce’s passion is unmatched. I really hope the fans find themselves taking Necropolis’ journey with the mandrake juice time and time again. This is just the start of something very special!”

‘The Mandrake Project’ will be released on 1st March via BMG. Recorded largely at LA’s Doom Room with Roy Z doubling up as both guitarist and bassist, the line-up for ‘The Mandrake Project’ was rounded out by keyboard maestro Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce’s last solo studio album, ‘Tyranny Of Souls’, in 2005.

The track listing for ‘The Mandrake Project’ is:

Afterglow Of Ragnarok (05.45)
Many Doors To Hell (04.48)
Rain On The Graves (05.05)
Resurrection Men (06.24)
Fingers In The Wounds (03.39)
Eternity Has Failed (06.59)
Mistress Of Mercy (05.08)
Face In The Mirror (04.08)
Shadow Of The Gods (07.02)
Sonata (Immortal Beloved) (09.51)

‘The Mandrake Project’ is not just an album, but a dark, adult story of power, abuse and a struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius. Created by Dickinson, the comic series is scripted by Tony Lee and stunningly illustrated by Staz Johnson for Z2 Comics, released as 12 quarterly issues that will be collected into three annual graphic novels. The first episode will be released in comic shops on 17th January 2024. 

Dickinson and his band will bring the music of ‘The Mandrake Project’ to life with a major headline tour next spring and summer.

Bruce Dickinson – The Mandrake Project Tour
18^th April – Diana Theater, Guadalajara, MEXICO
20^th April – Pepsi Theatre, Mexico City, MEXICO
24^th April – Live Curitiba, Curitiba, BRAZIL
25^th April – Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, BRAZIL
27^th April – Opera Hall, Brasilia, BRAZIL
28^th April – Arena Hall, Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL
30^th April – Qualistage, Rio De Janeiro, BRAZIL
2^nd May – Quinta Linda, Ribeirao Preto, BRAZIL
4^th May – Vibra, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
18^th May – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, UK
19^th May – O2 Academy, Manchester, UK
21^st May – Arena, Swansea, UK
23^rd May – Rock City, Nottingham, UK
24^th May – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, UK
26^th May – L’Olympia, Paris, FRANCE
28^th May – 013, Tilburg, HOLLAND
29^th May – De Oosterport, Groningen, HOLLAND
1^st June – Barba Negra, Budapest, HUNGARY
3^rd June – Arenale Romane, Bucharest, ROMANIA
5-8^th June – Mystic Festival, Gdansk, POLAND *
5-8^th June – Sweden Rock Festival, Solvesborg, SWEDEN *
9^th June – Rockefeller, Oslo, NORWAY
11^th June – Grona Lund, Stockholm, SWEDEN
13^th June – House Of Culture, Helsinki, FINLAND
14^th June – Noblessner Foundry, Tallinn, ESTONIA
16^th June – Huxleys Neue Welt, Berlin, GERMANY
17^th June – Grosse Freiheit 36, Hamburg, GERMANY
19 – 22^nd June – Copenhell, Copenhagen, DENMARK *
21^st June – Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel, BELGIUM *
22^nd June – Summerside Festival, Grenchen, SWITZERLAND *
24^th June – Zeltfestival Rhein-Neckar, Mannheim, GERMANY *
25^th June – Circus Krone, Munich, GERMANY
27-30^th June – Hellfest, Clisson, FRANCE *
30^th June – Rockhal, Esch-Sur-Alzette, LUXEMBOURG
3-6^th July – Rockharz Open Air, Ballenstedt, GERMANY *
5^th July – Ippodrome Delle Capannelle, Rock In Rome, Rome, ITALY *
6^th July – Bassano Del Grappa, Metal Park, Vincenza, ITALY *
9^th July – E-Werk, Koln, GERMANY
13^th July – Hala, Zagreb, CROATIA
16^th July – Kolodrum Arena, Sofia, BULGARIA
19^th July – Kucukciftlik Park, Istanbul, TURKEY
21st July – Release, Athens, GREECE *

* – festival performance