Bruce Dickinson, the legendary vocalist of IRON MAIDEN, has finished recording his upcoming ninth solo album — and by all accounts it was done the hard way. In a lightning-fast January-February 2026 session at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in California, Dickinson and his band tracked 16 songs over just 21 days, capturing everything completely live.
"We did 16 tracks in 21 days, all 100 percent live," Dickinson confirmed. "It's like the anti-A.I. generation." The approach stands in stark contrast to the modern trend of click tracks, digital editing, and processed studio perfection.
The as-yet-untitled album — his follow-up to 2024's The Mandrake Project — is not expected before 2027. Dickinson recorded with his full touring ensemble: keyboardist Mistheria, drummer Dave Moreno, bassist Tanya O'Callaghan, and guitarists Chris Declercq and Philip Näslund. SEPULTURA's Andreas Kisser also contributed additional percussion.
Dickinson has previously hinted at the scope of the material, describing it as ranging from "bone-crushingly heavy" to emotionally resonant acoustic passages — with sonic choices driven entirely by the narrative demands of each song. No title, tracklist, or firm release date has been announced yet.
The recording follows a busy period for Dickinson: a 2025 North American The Mandrake Project Live tour and the reissue of his 1994 debut album Balls To Picasso under the expanded title More Balls To Picasso. At 67, the metal titan shows no sign of slowing down.