The boys of Iron Maiden are breaking new ground for rock and metal, as the group will be the first rock band ever to play Stockholm’s Friends Arena. The 50,000-capacity venue is brand new, so Iron Maiden will christen the arena with their pummeling metal tracks on July 13, 2013. 

“It is a great honor to be the first rock band to be announced to play the new national stadium, especially as we have always had a very close connection with your country and have massively enjoyed every visit,” singer Bruce Dickinson said in an official statement.

“We were completely overwhelmed by the reaction from our North American fans to the 'Maiden England' tour, which was our most extensive tour there for many years. We had a lot of fun playing the older songs and the fans seemed to love the set list and Eddie's various incarnations! The band can't wait to bring this show to our Swedish fans.”

“’The Final Frontier’ show in Ullevi last year was magic, along with the very warm reception we received from our friends in Sweden,” bass player Steve Harris added. “It's terrific to return next year, especially playing in the new national stadium for the first time. This time around we will be playing the older songs and think our fans will enjoy this just as much!”

Tickets for the Stockholm show will go on sale on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m. (local time), and those who are members of Iron Maiden’s fan club can get in on a special, pre-sale running from 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30 (local times).

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