Iron Maiden in Auckland

Iron Maiden are a British heavy metal band formed in London in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris. They became known through the new wave of British heavy metal and albums including The Number of the Beast, Powerslave and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. “The Trooper,” “Run to the Hills” and “Fear of the Dark” remain central songs in their catalogue. The World Slavery Tour of 1984 and 1985 took Iron Maiden into arenas, and performances at Long Beach Arena were recorded for Live After Death. The Somewhere Back in Time World Tour later carried the band aboard Ed Force One, piloted by singer Bruce Dickinson. The Legacy of the Beast Tour developed their stage history further through themed sets and changing appearances by the mascot Eddie. Iron Maiden have repeatedly returned to Download Festival and Rock in Rio. They have also headlined Wacken Open Air.

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine and bassist David Ellefson. The band is known for albums including Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?, Rust in Peace and Countdown to Extinction, as well as songs such as “Holy Wars... The Punishment Due,” “Peace Sells” and “Symphony of Destruction.” In 1990, Megadeth joined Slayer, Testament and Suicidal Tendencies on the European Clash of the Titans tour; the following year's North American run also featured Anthrax and Alice in Chains. Dave Mustaine created Gigantour in 2005, and its inaugural bill paired the band with Dream Theater. The Rust in Peace 20th Anniversary Tour followed in 2010, when the album was performed in full, and the band later appeared with Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax at the Big Four concert held at Yankee Stadium in 2011.