Image: Iron Maiden

In 2016, British heavy metal icons Iron Maiden will be boarding Ed Force One, their Boeing 747-400 that is piloted by vocalist Bruce Dickinson, and embarking on a world tour that includes stops in Australia and New Zealand.

Carrying the band, crew, equipment and stage production, Ed Force One will be stopping in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth as well as Christchurch and Auckland for arena shows that will no doubt put the heavy back into heavy metal.

The tour, presented by Dainty Group, is Iron Maiden's first Australian visit since 2011 and will be a celebration of their sixteenth studio album The Book Of Souls, that debuted at number 2 on both the Australian and New Zealand music charts last week, and the fact that the band simply rules.

To celebrate the world tour and the Australian and New Zealand dates going on sale today we’ve put together a list of things you may not know about the kings of metal.

Image: Dainty Group

There Has Been Three Different Versions of Ed Force One

When you jet set as much as Iron Maiden do, regular air travel just isn't up to scratch. Besides, boarding passes are for losers. That's why they have Ed Force One, their own Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet. With it, they are able to get to countries that would never have been logistically viable otherwise. Ed Force One has actually been three separate aircraft over the years, and has had to grow, as their live shows get wilder.

Image: MIP

Dickinson Has Flown Football Teams Around The World

Dickinson learned to fly in the 1990s, and has been professionally flying jets on the side since. He's even flown Rangers FC to play in Israel and Liverpool FC to Naples. Though he claims to have no particular allegiance to any side, it seems that if a team is in his plane he is supporting them in some kind, namely getting them to their destination safely.

Image: You Tube

He Is Also An Accomplished Swordsman

Speaking of his side-gigs; when he's not flying through the air or being the frontman for one of the best rock groups of all time, you could quite possibly find Bruce doing a bit of sword fighting. An avid and accomplished fencer, Dickinson at one point ranked seventh in the UK for the sport.

Image: Grape Vine

The Band Have Their Own Beer

Nobody knows a good beer like a metal head, so it stands to reason that metal gods brew their own. Named from their song inspired by the famous Charge of the Light Brigade at the 1854 Battle of Balaclava, Trooper is a classic English bitter brewed by Robinsons Family Brewery. The beer rates a healthy 78 on influential beer blog Beer Advocate and the band themselves says that it “tastes tremendous”. But then they would.

Image: JustJaredJR

Miley Cyrus Claims To Be A “Fan”

Miley went through a Maiden shirt loving phase in early 2009, repping the band's art whenever she could. When called out as being a bit of a poser, Miley defended herself by listing titles of Iron Maiden songs; “Run to the Hills", "Fear of the Dark","Running Free",[all] good songs, check it out.” Unfortunately for Miley, she didn't do a great job at disguising the fact that she was reading the song titles off cue cards. It was not great for her metal rep.

Image: Rolling Stone

They've Released Video Games

To accompany the release of a best-of compilation, the band produced Ed Hunter; an arcade style shooter starring everyone's favourite dead mascot Eddie. The game allows you to shoot your way through hellish landscapes inspired by the album art of six different Iron Maiden records. As if one vide game wasn't enough, in August they launched a game to celebrate the release of their latest single “Speed Of Light”. This time around we get to be Eddie as he attempts to save an unnamed girl from an unnamed meathead.

Image: You Tube

They Once Played a Polish Wedding

On a 1984 Polish tour, the band stopped their bus at what they thought was a disco. It turned out to be a wedding reception and the groom, who recognised them immediately, invited them to jump up on stage. Not wanting to disappoint the newlyweds the band did just that, performing a roaring cover of Deep Purple's “Smoke On The Water”.

Image: Iron Maiden

The Book of Souls Is Their First Studio Double Album

Though the band have released sixteen studio albums, as well as numerous live albums, compilations, EPs, singles, video albums, music videos, and box sets, The Book of Souls is the band’s first studio recorded double album. It’s therefore also their longest to date. Pretty good going for a bunch of old geezers. Produced by long-time Iron Maiden collaborator Kevin Shirley and recorded in Paris at Guillaume Tell Studios, the album has received strong critical reviews including a 5/5 from Kerrang! and a 10/10 from Metal Hammer.

Iron Maiden World Tour 2016

Australian and New Zealand dates presented by Dainty Group:

April 29 – Christchurch at Horncastle Arena

May 1 – Auckland at Vector Arena

May 4 – Brisbane at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

May 6 – Sydney at Allphones Arena

May 9 – Melbourne at Rod Laver Arena

May 12 – Adelaide at Adelaide Entertainment Centre

May 14 – Perth at Perth Arena