Ahead of the March 1 release of his new solo album, “The Mandrake Project”, via BMG and the start of a four-month tour, Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has revealed the addition of two new guitarists to his touring band. Bruce‘s long-term co-writer and producer Roy “Z” Ramirez will not be part of the touring lineup.
Swedish-born guitarist, songwriter, and multi-platinum-credited producer Philip Näslund and Swiss session and touring guitarist Chris Declercq (who incidentally played on Dickinson‘s current single, “Rain On The Graves”) will accompany previously announced members Dave Moreno (drums), Mistheria (keyboards) and Tanya O’Callaghan (bass).
Dickinson said: “Sadly, and with regret, guitarist and producer Roy Z will no longer join the band on tour due to some personal commitments. He will remain in L.A. to work on some remixing and remastering of the catalog. We all know the show must go on though, and this project is too important to everyone to not be the very best it can be. I’m gutted about Roy because he assembled most of the album and touring band, introducing Mistheria and Dave Moreno to the project and mentoring guitarist Chris Declerq. I’m so excited about what both Philip and Chris will bring on stage together and now my only ambition is to grab a little piece of the audiences’ hearts every night.”
The first chance to see the six-piece live will now be at The Observatory in Orange County, California on April 15, with tickets going on sale to the general public at Ticketmaster on Tuesday, February 20 at 10 AM PST.
“We’re not afraid of doing some growing up in public,” explains Dickinson, “so this show will be as close to a rehearsal as you can get. It’s exciting to think what these musicians can do, and will do when there are over one thousand fans in the room!”
