Bruce Dickinson Breathes New Life Into “Cyclops” With Reimagined Release
July 2025
Legendary Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is proving once again that age is just a number and great music never truly grows old. The metal icon has just unveiled a powerful new version of “Cyclops,” one of the most intense and dramatic tracks from his 1994 solo album Balls to Picasso. Now titled “Cyclops (Reimagined Version)”, the song is part of an exciting new release called More Balls to Picasso, due out on July 25, 2025.
This isn’t just a remaster it’s a full reimagining. From the moment the song kicks off, fans will notice a deeper, richer production, beefier guitar riffs, and a sense of energy that makes it feel like a brand-new creation rather than a revisit of something 30 years old.
Speaking about the project, Dickinson shared that this wasn’t about nostalgia it was about honoring the creative spark of the original while adding the tools and sonic clarity that modern production can offer.
“When we started remixing everything for Dolby Atmos, I realized these songs still had something to say,” Dickinson said. “But now, they could say it even louder and clearer.”
From the Shadows to the Spotlight
Originally released during a period when Dickinson stepped away from Iron Maiden, Balls to Picasso was a creative detour that allowed him to experiment with moodier tones, grungier guitars, and deeply introspective lyrics. “Cyclops” stood out as one of its most ambitious tracks dark, winding, and cinematic. The reimagined version elevates all of those qualities, thanks to sweeping orchestration, new guitar work by Philip Näslund, and a modern mix by Brendan Duffey.
And while many reissues simply polish old recordings, More Balls to Picasso adds two previously unreleased live-in-the-studio tracks “Gods of War” and “Shoot All the Clowns” as well as a full redesign of the album’s sonic landscape.
Adding a bit of unexpected flair, Dickinson also brought in a horn section recorded by Berklee College of Music students, giving “Shoot All the Clowns” an extra punch of brass swagger.
Visuals, Vinyl, and the Road Ahead
To accompany the release, Dickinson has shared an official visualizer for “Cyclops (Reimagined Version)”—a moody, abstract take on the song’s themes, giving fans a glimpse into the dark world behind the lyrics.
The album will be available in deluxe formats, including splatter vinyl editions and tri-panel digisleeve CDs, making it a must-have for collectors and longtime fans.
And this is just the beginning. Dickinson is preparing to hit the road for The Mandrake Project Live 2025, marking his first major North American solo tour in decades. With shows starting August 22 in Anaheim, fans will get to see both the new material and classic solo tracks performed with fresh fire.
At 66, Bruce Dickinson shows no signs of slowing down. With More Balls to Picasso and “Cyclops (Reimagined),” he’s not just looking back—he’s charging forward, proving once again why he’s one of metal’s most enduring voices.
