BRUCE DICKINSON – THE MANDRAKE PROJECT TOUR 2025
The skies over Tempe might have been storming, but inside the Marquee Theatre, a different kind of storm was brewing. You could feel the electricity in the air long before the first note was played. A lesser artist might have seen a sparser crowd on a night like this, but this is the legendary Bruce Dickinson. The audience came out in full force, shaking off the rain and ready to witness a master at work on his “The Mandrake Project” tour.
From the moment he stepped on stage, Bruce was a whirlwind of motion. The man is simply a force of nature. His energy was infectious, and his vocals were nothing short of impeccable. He hit every soaring high and guttural cry with a power and clarity that defied his years. This wasn’t just a singer going through the motions; this was an artist fully invested, and he made sure to connect with us, with plenty of crowd interaction and banter that made the venue feel intimate.
He wasn’t alone up there, either. The entire band was a well-oiled machine, operating in perfect sync with Bruce. Every riff, every drum fill, and every bass line was locked in, creating a massive wall of sound that was both intricate and powerful.
The setlist was a fantastic journey through his iconic solo work, with new material like “The Alchemist” fitting in perfectly alongside classics. Hearing “Accident Of Birth” and “Chemical Wedding” live was an absolute thrill, and the surprise inclusion of Iron Maiden’s “Flash Of The Blade” sent a shockwave of excitement through the building. The entire night was a constant exchange of energy; the more the audience gave, the more the band gave back.
For me personally, the absolute high point of the evening was “Tears Of The Dragon.” It’s a personal favorite of mine, and judging by the roar that went up when it started, the rest of the crowd felt the same way. It was one of those perfect concert moments where every single person is singing along, completely lost in the music.
It was an incredible performance from start to finish. If he comes around again, I would absolutely love to see him perform in the future. An unforgettable night of pure, unadulterated heavy metal from a legendary vocalist.
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