Iron Maiden to kick off US tour in Charlotte

Heavy metal stalwart Iron Maiden opens the US leg of its Maiden England World Tour Thursday, June 21 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The production and content of the Maiden England World Tour will closely resemble the 1988 concert video of the same name, which was filmed during its "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" World Tour. Fellow metal veteran Alice Cooper will serve as special guest on the first month of the tour with Coheed and Cambria taking over opening duties July 21.

Frontman Bruce Dickinson said the plan is to play about two thirds of the original Maiden England set list, including some tracks the group has not tackled live in several years. The video's original track listing includes "Moonchild," "The Evil That Men Do," "The Prisoner," "Still Life," "Die With Your Boots On," "Infinite Dreams," "Killers," "Can I Play with Madness," "Heaven Can Wait," "Wasted Years," "The Clairvoyant," "Seventh Son of A Seventh Son," "The Number of the Beast," and "Hallowed be thy Name." (I for one hope to hear the campy classic "Bring Your Daughter,,,To the Slaughter," which appeared on 1990's "No Prayer for the Dying.")

Tour routing brings the group to many US cities, like Charlotte, Indianapolis, and Salt Lake City, where it hasn't performed in years. My husband and I were actually just talking about the slim possibility that Maiden would ever play here. We have a friend that travels to see them in D.C. whenever they book US dates. The band's website states that a few more US dates may be added with the tour hitting the rest of the world in 2013.

Pre-sale tickets will be offered to Fan Club members, but on sale dates have not yet been announced. Check http://www.ironmaiden.com/maiden-on-the-charge.html for the latest tour news.