Bruce Dickinson Unleashes The Next Generation of Metal with Son Austin
In a thunderous announcement at San Diego Comic-Con, Bruce Dickinson, the iconic voice of IRON MAIDEN, revealed an electrifying collaboration with none other than his son, Austin. Speaking to Steve Harkins of TalkShopLive, Dickinson expressed his excitement about working with Austin, the 35-year-old musical prodigy who previously fronted the metal bands RISE TO REMAIN and AS LIONS. The elder Dickinson shared, "I’m really lucky that my kids, in particular my oldest son Austin, is a writer. The conversations we have are a creative exchange where ideas bounce back and forth like a riff on a killer track."
Austin’s musical pedigree is undeniable; he’s not just a proud progeny but a talent in his own right, having toured the States and tasted the sweet nectar of radio success. But as any seasoned musician knows, the path to success is paved with challenges. After stepping into script writing, Austin penned a tune destined for Bruce’s upcoming solo album, which promises to be a cornerstone of the record. “He came round the studio and was just loving it,” Bruce recounted, hinting at the fire that fuels their creative collaboration. “He’s what I’d describe as a pure creative.”
As for the album itself, fans can expect a sonic feast with tracks slated for release this year, a tantalizing precursor to the full album set to drop in early 2027. “I’m pretty busy in ‘27,” Bruce proclaimed, “and I think everybody’s gonna be very happy with what I’m busy with — in every sense of the word.” With 16 tracks laid down in just 21 days, the new album, recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606, is positioned as a fierce rebuttal to the era of AI-generated content, epitomizing the raw, live energy of metal.
Joined by his touring band, including the formidable Mistheria on keyboards and Dave Moreno on drums, and with SEPULTURA’s Andreas Kisser adding percussion, Dickinson is assembling a powerhouse collective to deliver this new wave of music. The groundwork for this project was laid during the recording of “The Mandrake Project,” and Dickinson is determined to keep the momentum roaring as he gears up for the “The Mandrake Project Live 2025” North American tour.
In a candid moment, Bruce shared his battle with his own physical limitations, stating, “I got two metal hips, a busted Achilles... But I’m still running around like a lunatic, and the voice is doing great.” This grit and determination are emblematic of Dickinson’s spirit, promising fans not just music, but a spectacle of resilience and raw power. Heavy and heartfelt, Dickinson’s new material is set to carve its place in the annals of metal history, and with Austin in the mix, the legacy of this iconic family is only beginning.