Ultra limited collectors’ edition for UK’s fastest growing music magazine
05/05/09 – Metal Hammer, the UK’s fastest growing music magazine, celebrates the global release of Iron Maiden’s tour documentary, Flight 666 with an ultra limited collectors’ edition, starring the band’s iconic mascot, Eddie.
The very special ‘L.E.D Force One’ cover sees Metal Hammer hijacked by Eddie, the zombie mascot who first appeared on the artwork for the group’s self-titled debut LP, Iron Maiden – back in 1980. The exclusive cover features all-new artwork and includes Eddie’s demonic red eyes, which light up – thanks to LEDs embedded in the cover.
Iron Maiden toured the globe for more than a year with their “Somewhere Back in Time” tour – playing 90 shows to over 2 million music fans. The band also beat Coldplay and Elbow to be crowned “Best British Live Act” at this year’s Brit Awards.
With special-interest media company Future making just 2000 special copies available, demand is expected to be high amongst Iron Maiden fans. In the UK, copies will be distributed through HMV stores, whilst Future is offering a small number of issues from its Metal Hammer online store – www.metalhammermerch.com .
Inside the June issue, Metal Hammer delivers the definitive verdict on Maiden’s Flight 666 documentary and travels aboard Maiden’s Ed Force One jet to South America, for an exclusive report on the last leg of the band’s epic Somewhere Back in Time tour, and discovers what’s next for the world’s greatest metal band.
The highly-collectable ‘L.E.D Force One’ Iron Maiden cover continues Metal Hammer’s long run of innovative cover treatments for the biggest names in heavy metal. The magazine previously gave readers the now infamous Dimmu Borgir ‘inverted cross’ cover and the commemorative 20th anniversary ‘blood pack’ cover Slayer’s 1986 opus, Reign in Blood. Last year, Metal Hammer raised the bar – delivering the world’s first cover made entirely from metal, as Metallica released their Death Magnetic album.
Future’s Metal Hammer and its sister-title, Classic Rock were the UK’s only paid-for music titles to record circulation growth in the recent ABC audit. Both brands continue to expand beyond their traditional print strongholds, with Future putting the finishing touches to its seventh annual Metal Hammer Golden Gods. The event takes place this June at London’s O2 Arena and sees fans rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in metal – watched by heavy metal fans across Europe and Asia on TV.
Alexander Milas is Editor of Metal Hammer:
“In the annals of metaldom there’s simply no greater icon than Iron Maiden’s Eddie. He’s the standard-bearer for a legion of truly fanatical devotees the world over that, as Flight 666 revealed, come from every walk of life and fill stadiums. Iron Maiden’s Somewhere Back In Time tour was a triumph of global proportions, and we’re celebrating in style.”
Chris Ingham is Publisher of Metal Hammer:
“Heavy metal is a way of life for Metal Hammer readers and there was no better way to celebrate the Flight 666 movie and Iron Maiden’s than with a collectable cover. As Hammer’s print circulation continues to grow, we are also expanding the brand through gigs and other live events. Fans love to collect our innovative covers and we have plenty more planned.”
The limited edition Metal Hammer “L.E.D Force One” Iron Maiden cover goes on sale Wednesday, 6th May, available exclusively at HMV stores and through www.metalhammermerch.com, costing £4.99
ENDS
About Future
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong market positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Digital Camera, Fast Car, Classic Rock, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, and musicradar.com. Future produces over 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 18 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 25 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.
For more information
Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future UK, 01225 822517.
