tion of Iron Maiden ’ s steely drop-D rocker “ If Eternity Should Fail .” The song that opened 2015 ’ s The Book of Souls concluded with a soliloquy from Dr . Necropolis , spoken from a time long after he had surrendered his mortality in search of power . Mistheria ’ s ethnic flutes and exotic percussion launch “ Eternity Has Failed ” with a different character than created by Steve Harris and company , but Ramirez and Moreno soon come crashing in with a galloping rhythm . Dickinson alters the lyric to describe Necropolis ’ infernal contract . Ramirez plays pyrotechnic guitar during the song ’ s chugging Motorhead-style middle section . “ Mistress of Mercy ” is an anthemic rocker wherein Dickinson delivers a full-throated performance at the top of his vocal range . “ Face in
the Mirror ” is a piano-driven power ballad with a dual purpose . In one interpretation , it ’ s a bleak portrait of alcohol dependency . In the context of The Mandrake Project ’ s storyline , it ’ s a soliloquy by Necropolis ’ brother who describes the torment of seeing into paradise although bound to hell . Songs including “ Shadow of the Gods ” date back to 2014 and were previously planned as a follow-up to 2005 ’ s Tyranny of Souls . The song has now been adapted to connect with a plot twist to The Mandrake Project and Necropolis ’ ambitions . The origins of " Sonata ( Immortal Beloved )" extend even further as an ambient piece by Roy Z inspired by Gary Oldman ’ s performance as Beethoven in the film Immortal Beloved .
The Mandrake Project arrives in physical formats , including a limited 2xLP set on blue vinyl . The comic book incarnation of The Mandrake Project is a grim , mature-audience story of a quest for power and a struggle for identity , framed against elements of science fiction and mysticism . The poetry and person of William Blake play a pivotal role as well . The series from Z2 Comics features a story by Dickinson and Doctor Who writer Tony Lee , with cinematic imagery by 2000 AD and Catwoman artist Staz Johnson . Intricately detailed covers are painted by old-school Moon Knight artist Bill Sienkiewicz . Issue # 1 arrived in January , with 11 more chapters to appear on a quarterly basis .
– Jeff Elbel
8
Continued on page 14
newreleases
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