Bruce Dickinson – Balls to Picasso (1994)
Release Date: May 10, 1994
Label: Epic Records
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Length: 51:32
Producer: Shay Baby, Jack Endino
Overview
Balls to Picasso is the second solo album by Bruce Dickinson, marking his first solo effort after rejoining Iron Maiden for a brief period and experimenting with a more diverse hard rock and metal sound. The album blends Dickinson’s signature soaring vocals with modern metal riffs, progressive touches, and melodic hard rock, while exploring personal and socio-political themes.
The record includes standout tracks like “Tears of the Dragon,” “Shoot All the Clowns,” and “Laughing in the Hiding Bush”, which highlight Dickinson’s versatility as a vocalist and songwriter. The album was also notable for introducing guitarist Roy Z, whose collaboration would shape much of Dickinson’s subsequent solo career.
Balls to Picasso reinforced Dickinson’s ability to balance accessibility with technical metal artistry, solidifying his solo identity while retaining his heavy metal roots.
Tracklist
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Cyclops – 3:41
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Balls to Picasso – 4:12
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Tears of the Dragon – 6:35
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Laughing in the Hiding Bush – 5:28
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Fire – 3:41
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Shoot All the Clowns – 5:09
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I Will Not Die – 5:10
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God’s Not Coming – 4:01
9.Right Now – 4:35 -
Sacrifice – 4:55
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Over and Out – 4:05
Bonus Tracks / Special Editions:
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Some editions include live or acoustic versions of key tracks like “Tears of the Dragon.”
Fun Facts & Trivia
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Roy Z Collaboration: This album marked the first major collaboration with guitarist Roy Z, who helped define the modern sound of Dickinson’s solo work.
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Hit Single: “Tears of the Dragon” became one of Dickinson’s most enduring solo ballads, often performed live.
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Did You Know? The album was originally intended to include songs written with Janick Gers before he rejoined Iron Maiden, but Dickinson shifted the material toward a heavier, Roy Z-influenced sound.
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Diverse Styles: Tracks like “Laughing in the Hiding Bush” mix hard rock and progressive elements, while “Balls to Picasso” features a tongue-in-cheek, energetic approach reminiscent of his debut album.
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Themes: The lyrics explore freedom, personal struggle, social commentary, and rebellion, giving the album a broad thematic scope.
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Critical Reception: Critics praised Dickinson’s vocal performance and songwriting growth, calling “Tears of the Dragon” a standout epic.
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Touring: The supporting tour featured Dickinson with Roy Z and a new lineup, playing both solo material and select Iron Maiden classics.
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Artwork: The album cover, a surreal painting of a distorted Picasso-style face, reflects Dickinson’s willingness to push artistic boundaries.
Album Credits
Bruce Dickinson: Lead vocals
Band / Collaborators:
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Roy Z: Guitar, backing vocals
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Eddie Cassillas: Bass guitar
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David Ingraham: Drums
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Dickinson & Roy Z: Songwriting
Production Team:
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Producers: Shay Baby, Roy Z
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Engineer & Mixing: Jack Endino
Mini Review
Balls to Picasso represents Bruce Dickinson’s most versatile solo work to date, combining soaring vocals, melodic hooks, and hard-hitting metal riffs. “Tears of the Dragon” stands out as an emotional epic, while tracks like “Shoot All the Clowns” and the title track inject humor and energy. With Roy Z’s guitar work and Dickinson’s signature vocal power, the album strikes a balance between introspective songwriting and heavy metal bravado, appealing to both solo and Maiden fans.
