Throughout the summer of 2012, Iron Maiden have been touring the US with a show that closely mirrors the set played on the ‘Seventh Son of a Seventh Son’ tour of 1988.

The original ’88 tour was captured on video at a show in Birmingham and subsequently released on VHS as ‘Maiden England’. In both it’s original format and reissue containing highlights of the show on CD, the release has become somewhat of a fan favourite.

Following the DVD debut of ‘Live After Death’ in 2008, fans have eagerly awaited the release of ‘Maiden England’ on DVD. Bassist and founding member Steve Harris has confirmed that it will now be released on DVD next year.

What’s more, it will contain never before seen performances from the encore as a bonus.

It is not yet known whether the DVD will contain any other bonus features, but assuming it follows suit with Maiden’s previous DVD reissue, fans should finally get part 3 of ‘The Iron Maiden Story’, covering the making of ‘Seventh Son’, its subsequent world tour, as well as each of the ‘Seventh Son’ promo clips and other archive oddments.
[REAL GONE says: They’d better include the Sooty clip from ’88!]

In related news, Harris releases his solo debut ‘British Lion’ on September 24th.

Following the sacking of long-serving vocalist Geoff Tate, the remaining members of Queensryche quickly hired Crimson Glory vocalist Todd LaTorre as his replacement.

After the hugely publicised, hugely acrimonious parting of the ways, Geoff Tate announced he was to take to the road again, with the billing “Geoff Tate: The voice of Queensryche’, playing many of the band’s old songs.

Tate has now unveiled an impressive line-up of musicians to help him make this a reality. On his next set of live shows – which he has billed an “anniversary tour”, the vocalist will be backed by the following:

Rudy Sarzo (ex-Whitesnake/Ozzy Osbourne) – bass
Kelly Gray (ex-Queensyryche) – guitars
Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth) – guitars
Bobby Blotzer (Ratt) – drums
Randy Gane – keys

British post-rock band Maybeshewill have announced two separate tours for this coming October and November.
The year’s live appearances finish with a home town pre-xmas show on December 22nd.

On the October tour dates, the instrumental outfit will be supporting …And You Know Us By The Trail of Dead, while all others are headline shows.

OCTOBER
9 Colchester Arts Centre, UK
10 London Scala, UK
11 Manchester Academy, UK
13 Edinburgh Liquid Rooms, UK
14 York Fibbers, UK
15 Norwich Arts Centre, UK
17 Lido, Berlin, GERMANY
18 Gebaude, Cologne, GERMANY
19 Tivoli De Helling, NETHERLANDS
20 Zoom, Frankfurt, GERMANY
21 Trix, Antwerp, BELGIUM
22 Nouveau Casino, Paris, FRANCE

NOVEMBER:
1 NOTTINGHAM, Rock City
2 LIVERPOOL, Mello Mello
5 ABERDEEN, Tunnels (Rescheduled date – original tickets valid)
6 GLASGOW, ABC2
7 NEWCASTLE, Trillians
8 BRISTOL, Cooler
9 BIRMINGHAM, Academy 3

DECEMBER:
22 Leicester, Y Theatre

It has been announced that cult AOR/pomp rockers Zebra are to be inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame.

The rock trio – fronted by Randy Jackson – have enjoyed cult success since the 80s and have gained strong press from the AOR/melodic rock community over the years. Their third disc, 1987’s ‘3.V’, considered to be one of the band’s strongest albums was particularly hard to find on CD for some time, until a very welcome reissue (with the band’s second LP, ‘No Tellin’ Lies’) in 2010.

Also at this year’s event – the Hall of Fame now in it’s fourth year – Twisted Sister’s Dee Snyder will be performing a selection of tunes from his 2012 release ‘Dee Does Broadway’ and death metallers Suffocation will also be inducted.

Alanis Morissette is to visit the UK in November.

The Canadian artist will play three huge stadium shows in support of her eighth studio album, the 2012 release ‘Havoc and Bright Lights’.  Morissette’s previous visit yielded a more intimate show at the Brixton Academy which sold out almost instantly.

Confirmed dates:

NOVEMBER:
28th: London O2 Arena
29th:Nottingham Capital FM Arena
30th: Liverpool Echo Arena