Skunkworks (1996)

Tracks
Space Race
Back from the edge
Inertia
Faith
Solar confinement
Dreamstate
I will not accept the truth
Inside the Machine
Headswitch
Meltdown
Octavia
Innerspace
Strange Death in Paradise

Recording info
Recorded at Great Linford Manor
Produced by Jack Endino
B-sides produced by Oggi Skinner

Lineup
Bruce Dickinson - Vocals, Guitar
Alex Dickson - Guitars
Chris Dale - Bass
Alessandro Elena - Drums

Singles

(releasedate, top chart position)

Back from the Edge
(13/4-96)
No.68 (1 week)

Promo videos
Back from the edge, Inertia

During the "Balls to Picasso-tour the idea of a band formed and the result became Skunkworks. The band set out to record with legendary "grungemeister" Jack Endino who made a name by recording artists such as Nirvana, Mudhoney, L7 and Soundgarden. At first Jack was a bit suspicious wondering if they wanted to record a grunge album, but as this was not the case he was relieved. In fact, it was the guitar sound on the first Kerbdog album that had drawn Bruce and the band's attention to Mr Endino in the first place.

The album was recorded at Great Linford Manor, with Jack producing and mixing. Additional recordings for a few B-sides were engineered by Oggi Skinner at Mayfair Studios, London.

Not only the music was different from Bruce's previous efforts, but also his vocalstyle. Being famous for his "operatic-heavy metal-wailing-air-raid-siren" style of singing he showed a much more relaxed side of his vocalabilities, a bit more varied.

The artwork for the cover was done by none other that Storm Thorgerson and his associates, famous for their work with "Pink Floyd". Storm had directed some previous videos for Bruce so the contact was already made. He was also responsibile for printing the lyrics in reverse in the booklet.

Click here for the lyrics

Skunkworks promo pic for America

Alex Dickson and Jack Endino in the Studio mixing the Skunkworks album

Storm Thorgerson's draft of the original idea for the cover