IRON MAIDEN Confirm European Opening Acts

IRON MAIDEN have officially confirmed that rising new U.K. talent — FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND — will be supporting them on a large part of their upcoming "Dance Of Death" European Tour support starting in Frankfurt on November 4 through to Nancy on Oct 29 except in Paris and Poland.

Longtime MAIDEN fans, FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND come from Wales and have been making big news over the last few months, recently being named the "Hottest New Band on The Planet" by Kerrang! magazine and getting rave write-ups in Metal Hammer. The band were featured on the cover of Kerrang! which is first for a band which hasn't actually released their first album yet and they have also picked up an award for "Best New Band" at this years Kerrang! Awards. This is an incredible achievement for the band. Their new album, "Casually Dressed and Deep In Conversation", is due for release on October 13. For more info check out www.funeralforafriend.com.

Says IRON MAIDEN singer Bruce Dickinson: "We wanted to give a chance to a hot new band and they don't come much hotter right now than the FUNERAL boys. I have been playing them for a while on my radio show and they have great songs and melodies and can get heavy with the best of them. As we have been touring so much we haven't had chance to catch them live yet but judging by their performances in their videos it will be good to have on the shows."

In Paris on November 22, MAIDEN have invited HELLOWEEN to join them. On confirming the date MAIDEN were told that HELLOWEEN had confirmed a Paris show the same night as part of their forthcoming headline European tour in support of their new album, "Rabbit Don't Come Easy", so MAIDEN invited them to join them at Bercy instead. For more info on HELLOWEEN go to www.helloween.org.

In Wroclaw, Poland , which is a mini festival, supports are EDGUY and KATT with an opener to be confirmed. All other shows will have one support act.

The full date listing is below and more announcements for the other shows will be made in the near future on www.ironmaiden.com.

IRON MAIDEN 2003 European "Dance Of Death" tour

Oct. 19 – HUN - Debrecen - Phoenix Hall
Oct. 21 – SLO - Banska - Bystrica Sports Hall
Oct. 22 – CZE - Prague - T-Mobil Arena
Oct. 24 – GER- - Munich - Olympiahalle
Oct. 25 – GER - Stuttgart - Schleyerhalle
Oct. 27 – ITA - Milan - Filaforum
Oct. 28 – ITA - Firenze - Palasport
Oct. 30 – SWI - Zurich - Hallenstadion
Nov. 01 – SPA - Barcelona - Pavello Olympic Badalona
Nov. 02 – SPA - Madrid - Palacio Vistalegre
Nov. 04 – GER - Frankfurt - Jahrhunderthalle
Nov. 05 – HOL - Rotterdam - Ahoy
Nov. 07 – POL - Wroklaw - Hala Ludowa Mystic Festival
Nov. 10 – FIN - Helsinki - Hartwall Arena
Nov. 12 – DEN - Copenhagen - Valby Hallen
Nov. 14 – SWE - Stockholm - Globen
Nov. 15 – SWE - Gothenburg - Scandinavium
Nov. 17 – GER - Hannover - Eilenriedehalle
Nov. 18 – GER - Berlin - Arena Treptow
Nov. 20 – BEL - Leuven - Brabenthal
Nov. 22 – FRA - Paris - Palais Omnisports de Bercy
Nov. 24 – GER - Dortmund - Westfalenhalle
Nov. 26 – GER - Hamburg - Sporthalle
Nov. 27 – GER - Arena - Leipzig
Nov. 29 – FRA - Nancy - Zenith
Dec. 01 – IRE - Dublin - The Point
Dec. 03 – ENG - Newcastle - Telewest Arena
Dec. 04 – ENG - Nottingham - Arena
Dec. 06 – ENG - Sheffield - Arena
Dec. 08 – SCO - Glasgow - SECC
Dec. 09 – ENG - Manchester - Arena
Dec. 12 – ENG - London - Earls Court
Dec. 15 – WAL - Cardiff - CIA
Dec. 16 – ENG - Birmingham - NEC

In other news, an audio recording of IRON MAIDEN's performance at Stockholm, Sweden's Stadion on June 28 will be aired Thursday night (September 11) at 21:03 (9:03 p.m.) CET on the national Swedish radio channel P3. The broadcast can be found at this location. Click on the link "Lyssna", then on "Lyssna på P3".