ICED EARTH are due to kick off their highly anticipated European tour for their new album, Dystopia, tonight (October 30th) in Bochum, Germany. The following update has been issued via Facebook:

"This is it, folks. Iced Earth's world tour starts today in Bochum, Germany! The band's manager will try to provide us with photos and maybe even video clips...and, of course, a first-hand report. All of you German fans, get your tickets (VIP tickets are almost gone!) and be sure to give us a full report of the experience afterwards."

Check for updates and post your own here.

The tour schedule is as follows:

October

30 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche

November

1 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg
2 - Uden, Netherlands - De Pul
3 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
4 - London, UK - Islington Academy
5 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
6 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
8 - Paris, France - Alhambra
9 - Lyon, France - Transbordeur
10 - Barcelona, Spain - Salamandra 1
11 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Heineken
12 - Bilbao, Spain - Rock Star Live
14 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
15 - Rome, Italy - Alpheus
18 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
19 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
20 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Principal Club
21 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Yubileina Hall
22 - Bucharest, Romania - The Silver Church
23 - Belgrade, Serbia - SKC
24 - Budapest, Hungary - Club 202
25 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Majestic Music Club
26 - Warsaw, Poland - Stodola
27 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Forum Palace
29 - Moscow, Russia - Milk

December

1 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
3 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock
4 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
6 - Herford, Germany - X
7 - Cologne, Germany - Essigfabrik
8 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Werk
9 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Metal Festival
10 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
11 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
13 - Istanbul, Turkey - Refresh The Venue
15 - Nicosia, Cypress - Pavilion

FURY UK and WHITE WIZZARD join Iced Earth on all European tour dates, except for Russia, Turkey, and Cyprus.

VIP ticket packages are available NOW from the Official Iced Earth web site, but are very limited and available on a first-come/first-served basis.

Schaffer formed Iced Earth in Tampa, Florida, in 1984. Since then, he has released 10 studio albums, the newest being the highly-acclaimed Dystopia (October, 2011) – which debuted at #67 on the Billboard Top 200 chart – one live album, two compilations, three boxed sets, and several DVDs. Thanks to massive worldwide sales -- and rabidly loyal fans – Iced Earth has earned a seat in the pantheon of America's most successful heavy metal bands.

For more details visit IcedEarth.com.

To celebrate Dystopia’s runaway success, the band chose today to debut the first music video from the album. 'Dystopia', the title track, can be viewed here.