Maiden uniteD began as a one off tribute band, the idea was the brain child of Joey Bruers (bass) and was only expected to come together for one show at the Dutch Maiden Fan Club, however the musicians Joey brought together for the project and the reaction the band got from that one gig soon convinced them all that something very special had been born.
A realization that something special had just happened was confirmed when the famous Dynamo festival got intouch, they wanted a repeat performance at the fest, this was soon followed by an approach from Wacken Open Air and Download Festival, here was a group that after one show was now being offered slots at 3 of Europes biggest festivals, something special had indeed just happened !
Because of the touring restraints imposed on the band from the members main bands a squad of performers was rapidly arranged, the idea being that if the drummer or any other musician was away with his main band a replacement from the squad could be brought into the 1st team, and so the UNITED aspect of the bands name came into effect, this brought a huge variety of musicians with a love for Iron Maiden into the fold.
Included in the squad are for instance,
Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation)
Damian Wilson (Threshold)
Lee Morris (EX Paradise Lost)
Anneke van Giersbergen (Devin Townsend)
Paul Dianno (EX Iron Maiden)
Mike Coolen (Within Temptation)
Perttu Kivilaakso (Apocalyptica)
Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion)
Luke Appelton (Iced Earth)
Blaze Bailey (EX Iron Maiden)
And many many more.
Maiden uniteD then released their 1st of 3 albums 'Mind The Acoustic Pieces' a reworking of Iron Maidens classic 'Peace of Mind'.
Touring almost none stop since these early days has seen the MU fanbase expand year after year, to the extent that now 3 albums into their life they can count countries as diverse as Israel and Finland into their touring runs.
