Looking back, it was a really brave decision leaving Iron Maiden to go solo when he did. Grunge was in full flow and Metal was not flavour of the month.
Trivia time folks!!! Bruce was actually going to have this as the debut album by the band Skunkworks, but the label refused to release it under anything else other than his own name.
Skunkworks actually reflects the time it was recorded very well as it is very alternative sounding in a rocky way if that makes sense. This version is a 2017 remaster on double 180g vinyl and it sounds great, clear, and loud. The band that played on this release are mainly unknowns apart from ex Gun guitarist Alex Dickson.
Things start off nicely with the Space Race and into the single Back From the Edge, which sees Dickinson showing great variation in his vocal. Faith is a more straight ahead rocker. Solar Confinement is a really cool song with a cool chorus guitar, and then into the Nirvana-esque Dreamstate which is a very weak song. Then I Will Not Accept The Truth, also Nirvana-ish but with more balls. Inside The Machine which starts Side 3, is also giving a nod in Seattle’s direction but with more melody. Next track is Headswitch which is one of album’s best tracks with more than a hint of Soundgarden about it. Meltdown follows and then into Side 4 with slow paced Octavia. Then we have the rockier Innerspace, and finally Strange Death in Paradise which builds quite well and is a strong album closer.
Unfortunately Bruce has such a strong presence as a metal vocalist it’s very difficult for that voice to be used in anything else without sounding out of place. Not a bad album but…6/10 from The Grooveman.
