Fans of British heavy metal group Iron Maiden will be shouting "up the Irons" with the announcement that the group will perform two New Zealand concerts in February in Christchurch and Auckland.

It's the first visit down under since 1992 for the group who formed in 1975, and celebrates the release of their new album Somewhere Back In Time, the Best of 1980-1989.

The tour will focus on the 1980s in both choice of songs and stage set. It will include elements of their Somewhere In Time tour of the mid '80s, including the cyborg Eddie, but the set-list in New Zealand will cover classic songs featured from the group's first four albums.

An online petition this year by New Zealand Iron Maiden fans tallied more than 4500 calling for their favourite "metalhead" group to visit.

Band founder Steve Harris said he was pleased to get to New Zealand after the group was disappointed not to tour here this year because they could not make the schedule work.

"This tour is likely to be the last time we play many of these songs live so we really will be giving it everything we have got.".

The group's customised Boeing 757, nicknamed Ed Force One by fans, and flown by Dickinson, will land in New Zealand for shows at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, on February 20 and at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, on February 21 fully loaded with the band, crew and 12 tons of stage set and equipment.

Dickinson will clock up 80,000km worldwide for concerts in 19 cities in 11 countries, playing to two million fans.

Tickets to both shows go on sale on November 28 through www.ticketek.co.nz.

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- © Fairfax NZ News