Yesterday, Iron Maiden fans got the bad news that the band’s 2021 European tour dates would have to be postponed to 2022. But today, metalheads can rejoice that there’s some good news coming out of the Maiden camp: the band will be collaboration with another metal act in their free mobile game Legacy of the Beast — and that band is Viking death metallers Amon Amarth.
The meeting of metals is part of a month-long in-game event called the ”Viking Invasion,’ in which the titular character behind Amon Amarth’s latest album The Berserker is brought into the epic mythology surrounding Maiden’s Eddie.
“After a spate of murderous attacks on his village, a lone Beserker vows revenge on the culprits who slaughtered his family,” explains the event’s press release. “No stranger to battle, retribution or revenge, Eddie, Iron Maiden’s infamous mascot, leads not only the Beserker but also Norse Goddess, Freya, into battle against unrelenting waves of enemies to seek vengeance for the Berserker’s fallen kin. Are these random attacks, or is something more sinister afoot?”
“Legacy of the Beast was built on a foundation of Iron Maiden songs, art and history, but has also always been about introducing and developing creative ideas that extended beyond Maiden,” says Maiden manager Rod Smallwood, “and, just as we’ve always invited bands out to tour with us, we are delighted to invite some friends to become part of our game and to provide another dimension to the fun, dexterity and excitement of it.”
“To have our own character in the Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast game is just insanely cool!” says Amon Amarth frontman Johan Hegg. “And such an honor. We hope everyone will enjoy our humble contribution to this awesome game!”
You can get the game and learn more about the ‘Viking Invasion’ event at the Legacy of the Beast website. Meanwhile, fans can catch Iron Maiden live at one of their 2022 live dates:
Iron Maiden 2022 Tour Dates
6/4 – Hyvinkää Rockfest FIN
6/11 – Download Festival ENG
6/13 – Belfast, Belsonic Festival (On-sale April 16) N. IRE
6/16 – Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting BEL
6/18 – Copenhagen, Copenhell DEN
6/20 – Prague, Sinobo Stadium CZE
6/23 – Oslo, Tons Of Rock NOR
6/26 – Paris, La Defense Arena FRA
6/27 – Arnhem, Gelredome (On-sale April 16) HOL
6/30 – Zurich, Hallenstadion (On-sale April 23) SWI
7/2 – Cologne, Rhein-Energie-Stadium GER
7/4 – Berlin, Waldbühne GER
7/7 – Bologna, Sonic Park ITA
7/9 – Stuttgart, Cannstatter Wasen GER
7/10 – Wiener, Neustadt Stadium Open-Air, AUS
7/20 – Bremen, Bürgerweide GER
7/22 – Gothenburg, Ullevi Stadium, SWE
7/24 – Warsaw, PGE Narodowy POL
7/26 – Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park (On-sale April 23) GER
7/29 – Barcelona Olympic Stadium SPA
7/31 – Lisbon Estadio Nacional POR
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Words by Chris Krovatin
