I've always been surprised by many reviews for the last two 'Dickinson' albums, as some make his solo work out to be better than that of 'Iron Maiden', while I agree his latter albums are impressive, I can't in all honesty concede they are as brilliant as many make out. 'Tyranny of Souls' is a prime example of a very good release, but far from the realms of 'Maiden' classics. As with 'The Chemical Wedding', 'Bruce' continues to be inspired by darker themes, particularly old interpretations of the hell and torment (see album booklet imagery), if I wanted to be cruel I'd say 'Tyranny of Souls' is made up of leftovers from his last album, but some new themes are introduced and it doesn't quite have that 'Chemical Wedding' recycled feel. One point I do like, is the absence of long-winded epics, 'Bruce' has kept the tracks short and to the point, which I think is commendable and while the running time suffers, the album flows sweetly and never drag.

The atmospheric intro 'Mars Within' opens in mystical form and leads nicely onto 'Abductions'. The first full track is reminiscent of work from 'Accident of Birth' and as with the majority of 'Bruce's' material is excellently penned and superbly sung, 'Roy Z' contributes his usual dynamic guitaring for an impressive opener. Next up is 'Soul Intruders' which starts very promisingly with the Power Metal style intro, but regrettably looses it's way, the pre chorus / chorus are pretty repetitive and boring, but thankfully the verses are heavier and graced with fine fret work. Improvements are made with the passionately sung 'Kill Devil Hill', which shows 'Bruce' has lost nothing vocally, this is all backed up by strong penmanship, clever arrangements and a refine melody to make for a top tune. The same can't be said about the dull acoustic ballad 'Navigate the Seas of the Sun', which is a little reminiscent of 'Bruce's' early solo career and like some of that material I'm not very impressed, as it's generally repetitive and long-winded. Sounding straight from 'The Chemical Wedding' is 'River of No Return', a nicely written, mid tempo number, that while a little tame in places is still a well executed track which rides along a sweet melody. The tempo is lifted with the straightforward rocker 'The Power of the Sun' and overlooking the crappy intro and outro, a good solid number, highlighting a glorious solo from 'Roy Z'. Ensuing in fine form but to my ear rips-off 'Jethro Tull's' 'Locomotive Breath' is the hard rocking 'Devil on a Hog', which contrasts heavier sections with lighter vocal driven verses for an effectively layered track. The tempo thickens for the mystical winding 'Believil', a menacing, down-tuned affair that wouldn't look out of place on 'Alice Cooper's' 'Brutal Planet', 'Bruce' works the lyrics especially well and the evil laugh near then end- very sinister. Finally we are gifted the title track 'A tyranny of Souls' a complicated piece that builds throughout into an aggressively charged number, the intro sounds a little 'Black Sabbath' like, but matures into a distorted winding piece- a little too thick for my liking but still a respectably number.

Although I'm not particularly keen on the subject matter 'Bruce' has based most of the tracks upon, this is still a fine album, well within the vein of his critically acclaimed last two.