IRON MAIDEN Announce 2004 Tour Dates

IRON MAIDEN have announced the following dates as part of the winter leg of their "Dance of Death World Tour":

Jan. 11 - ARG - Buenos Aires - River Plate Stadium
Jan. 13 - CHI - Santiago - Pista Atletica
Jan. 16 - BRA - Rio de Janeiro - ATL Hall
Jan. 17 - BRA - Sao Paulo - Pacaembu Stadium
Jan. 20 - CAN - Montreal - Bell Centre
Jan. 21 - CAN - Quebec - Colisee Pepsi Arena
Jan. 23 - USA - New York - Hammerstein Ballroom
Jan. 24 - USA - New York - Hammerstein Ballroom
Jan. 26 - USA - New York - Hammerstein Ballroom
Jan. 27 - USA - New York - Hammerstein Ballroom
Jan. 30 - USA - Los Angeles - Universal Amphitheatre
Jan. 31 - USA - Los Angeles - Universal Amphitheatre
Feb. 05 - JAP - Sapparo - Nenkin Hall
Feb. 07 - JAP - Osaka - Jo Hall
Feb. 08 - JAP - Tokyo - Saitama Arena

Says IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson, 'This is the first return trip to South America and Japan for nearly 4 years so it will be good to see our friends there. They will be pleased to hear that we are bringing the entire production we're using in Europe which is the first time that's happened for Japan since 1987. We know our friends in South America are having a tough time right now with the economies being in trouble there so hopefully we can help lift their spirits!"

Says MAIDEN manager Rod Smallwood, "We're shipping the FULL Tour production around the world for the first time in many years to try and bring as many people as possible a great show. The full production weighs in at a hefty 25 tons which means that shipping the stage show around the world is no simple task.

"Due to logistics and hall availabilities, this has sadly meant that we are unable to get to some territories we very much hoped to visit, particularly Mexico and Australia. We are particularly very sad about Australia as we know we haven't been there for so long and it's always been our intentions to get down there if we possibly could but logistically we are simply not going to be able to make it. We realize that this means that you will all probably go out and burn our records but l have tried very hard indeed personally to make this work so please accept my apologies and try to bear with us. We will make it one day, l promise.

"Some of our fans in the USA may also be wondering why we are only to play in New York and Los Angeles. The answer to this is simply that we feel that the 'Give Me Ed' Summer tour was very comprehensive and we felt it was too early for the band to return for another full tour. We still wanted to visit our friends there so the decision was made. We've had a very long but phenomenally successful year and we look forward to seeing you all soon."

For now the band are continuing across Europe and the new shows are continuing to receive fantastic reviews.

Says Bruce, "The summer festival tour was the biggest European Tour in the band's career and I think we've made a lot of new friends. Now we're back indoors with the new big production and new songs and the fans have been going absolutely mad. The reaction we're getting every night is unbelievable. Sometimes the crowd has been so loud I can't even hear myself on stage!"

Tickets for all the shows will be on sale very soon and fans should check local press and radio for details of where to get them. Information will also be posted www.ironmaiden.com when it is available.