Iron Maiden attacks North America this fall

Metal vets Iron Maiden will back their forthcoming studio album, "A Matter of Life and Death," with a brief fall run through North America.

The group has mapped out about a dozen October shows that are scattered throughout the US and Canada, and will feature UK metal outfit Bullet for My Valentine. The itinerary is included below.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public Aug. 12, while members of the band's fan club will have access to a members-only pre-sale that launches Aug. 1. More information is available at the group's website.

The group, which normally does not begin its tours in the US, has booked its European tour to follow the North American shows this time around.

"This is the first time we've started a tour in the States for many, many years," frontman Bruce Dickinson said in a statement. "It's going to be great to get out there so the fans can get to hear the new material and see the new show first for a change."

The tour gets underway about one month after the Sept. 5 release of "A Matter of Life and Death."

"We're all incredibly pleased with the album, and the tremendous response of those people who have had the chance to hear it so far," Dickinson continued. "Their reaction has been phenomenal and we expect to play a lot of it on tour."

"A Matter of Life and Death" features the cut "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg," the music video for which is currently streaming at Maiden's website.