Metal stalwarts Iron Maiden have announced a Dublin date for the end of August, with the support act no less than the antichrist superstar, Marilyn Manson.

Fresh from releasing their double DVD The Early Days, Maiden will play the R.D.S. Arena on 31 August. This is the first time they play Ireland since 2003’s Dance of Death world tour.

Says frontman Bruce Dickinson: “We've always put everything, physically and mentally, into our stage shows and this will be no exception. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

On tow will be controversial goths Marilyn Manson, who will inevitably infuriate traditional religious groups with their satanic tendencies: stage antics in the past include smoking human bones and sex acts.

The concert will be the first time they play a full-length set in Ireland after a number of false starts in previous years, though the mainman did appear on stage with Bono and Iggy Pop at Hot Press HQ following the 1999 MTV Awards in Dublin.

Tickets for the metalfest, costing €65 and €70, will go on sale at 9am on Saturday 26 February from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets.