Iron Maiden are preparing a special release for 2016 Record Store Day. Acknowledging both their roots (their 1979 debut The Soundhouse Tapes was Iron Maiden's first official release on vinyl) and reputation for bringing history to life, the British legendary metallers will release their longest ever song, with a duration of over eighteen minutes: "Empire Of The Clouds" as a limited edition 12" picture disc single for Record Store Day this April 16th.




Taken from their latest double studio album The Book Of Souls, the single is housed in a uniquely artworked sleeve, featuring a replica of the actual newspaper story reporting on the fate of the R101 airship, which is the focus of the song. Written by Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson, it will be made available through Parlophone Records (BMG in the U.S.A) with the B-side featuring an in-depth audio interview with Dickinson about the inspiration for the track which has been a truly personal labour of love and is, he claims: "A very poignant story, a very human story, a story of ambition and dreams."

Iron Maiden are currently on The Book Of Souls World Tour, playing to over 1.5 million fans across 36 countries and 6 continents, traversing the planet in their brand new Boeing 747 jet Ed Force One, carrying band, crew, equipment and over 20 tons of stage production, on a 60 thousand mile journey.

Also, the game Iron Maiden: Legacy Of The Beast will be available later this year on iOS and Android platforms. Check out the trailer.

Source:	ironmaiden.com
Band profile:	Iron Maiden