One of the world’s biggest heavy metal bands, Iron Maiden, spent 20 days in secret rehearsals in the Croatian coastal city of Split as they prepared for their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which kicked off recently in Ljubljana, Slovenia…

One of the world’s biggest heavy metal bands, Iron Maiden, spent 20 days in secret rehearsals in the Croatian coastal city of Split as they prepared for their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which kicked off recently in Ljubljana, Slovenia…

 

 

One of the world’s biggest heavy metal bands, Iron Maiden, spent 20 days in secret rehearsals in the Croatian coastal city of Split as they prepared for their highly anticipated 2025 world tour, which kicked off recently in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Known for their theatrical stage shows, soaring vocals, and blistering guitar solos, Iron Maiden is no stranger to ambitious global tours. However, their choice to quietly rehearse in Split—a city better known for its Roman ruins, sunny beaches, and Game of Thrones filming locations—came as a surprise even to their most devoted fans. The band and their crew kept a low profile during their stay, reportedly using a secluded facility near the outskirts of the city to prepare for what is shaping up to be one of their most elaborate tours to date.

Split offered a combination of privacy, weather, and atmosphere that was ideal for uninterrupted preparation. According to sources close to the band, the decision to rehearse in Croatia was made partly due to its proximity to the tour’s opening venue in Ljubljana, and partly because of the excellent logistics support provided by local production teams. The Croatian music scene, though smaller than that of Western Europe or the U.S., has long been enthusiastic about rock and metal, and the country has hosted Iron Maiden before—most memorably in Zagreb during previous tours.

The tour, titled “The Future Past World Tour 2025,” blends classics from the band’s legendary 1980s albums with tracks from their more recent works, particularly their 2021 studio album Senjutsu. Fans attending the Ljubljana show were treated to a high-octane, two-hour performance that showcased Iron Maiden’s undiminished energy and precision, despite the band having been active for nearly five decades.

The opening night included elaborate stage designs inspired by feudal Japan, dystopian landscapes, and their iconic mascot, Eddie, who appeared in multiple guises throughout the show. Frontman Bruce Dickinson, now 66, proved he’s still one of the most powerful voices in rock, darting across the stage with the kind of stamina many singers half his age would envy.

Iron Maiden’s 2025 world tour will take them across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia, with over 60 shows scheduled in major cities and iconic venues. The band’s commitment to delivering a consistently high-quality live experience continues to set them apart in the music world. Their fan base, known as the “Iron Maiden Army,” has already begun traveling across continents to catch multiple dates of the tour.

The decision to rehearse in Split may have been kept under wraps, but local fans who caught wind of the secret sessions have already turned it into a point of pride, sharing photos and stories online. As the tour continues to unfold, Iron Maiden’s quiet Croatian preparations will go down as another chapter in the band’s long history of musical mastery and global mystique.