Iron Maiden are to play a concert in Transylvania

The heavy metal legends are to rock the historic Romanian region - famous for being the home to vampire Dracula - for the very first time.

The band are to embark on a world tour this summer in support of their 15th studio album `The Final Frontier` and will play their Transylvanian gig at the Polus Center Mall, in Cluj Napoca. Tickets go on sale on May 24 at www.servuscluj.ro.

Iron Maiden named a track after the spooky region on their self-titled 1980 debut album.

Meanwhile, the British group have paid tribute to late former Black Sabbath frontman Ronnie James Dio, who passed away from stomach cancer on 16.05.10.

The `Run to the Hills` hitmakers - fronted by Bruce Dickinson - described Dio as an "irreplaceable talent" and "longstanding friend of Maiden".

The statement said: "It is with huge sadness we hear that Ronnie has lost his battle against stomach cancer, and our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Wendy and family at this terrible time...

"Ronnie was not only an incredibly gifted singer but also a wonderfully warm, intelligent and generous person and this shone through both on and off stage leaving a positive mark on everyone he came into contact with. A longstanding friend of Maiden, we played many shows together over the years and we will all miss him greatly.

"The world has lost an irreplaceable talent and, first and foremost, one of the finest human beings you could ever wish to meet."

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