We’re counting down to the 2024 edition of 70000 tons of Metal! This is by far one of our personal favorite metal cruises where every artist is a headliner. Metalheads from around the globe share an insane experience of four days with very little to no sleep of nonstop metal shows. From big pool deck experiences to the intimate Star Lounge, there’s something for all metalheads regardless of subgenre, and we love it all. 2023 marked a significant return for the cruise after all cruises generally faced a halt due to the pandemic. The event’s future was uncertain, but it returned, giving sixty unique artists a go. This year we saw a number of acts having their first experience on the boat to artists having some notable silver-to-gold member status returns. We managed to capture all sixty bands, and as we countdown to the 2024 edition, we will share artist spotlights from the 2023 expedition leading up to the 2024 voyage. Artist Number 12: Dear Mother.
It didn’t take long for 70000tons cruisers to express their excitement and curiosity about Dear Mother, particularly in awe of Merel Bechtold. While this wasn’t Bechtold’s first appearance on the cruise, having been there twice before with Delain and MaYaN, it marked the debut festival appearance and cruise for her latest project, the alternative metal act Dear Mother. Bechtold, having created a dedicated fan base, performed two sets on the cruise – the first being on night one, January 30, 2023, at 3:45 AM in the intimate Star Lounge, and the second on Day 4, February 2, 2023, at Studio B Ice Rink theater at 12:15 PM.
Although we intended to be present for both sets to support Bechtold’s latest musical endeavor, we could only attend their first set, marking their official first-ever festival performance.
During the middle of the evening, not long before sunrise, Bechtold and the group exhibited a remarkable chemistry, reflecting a bond akin to long-term family members. This project appears driven more by the joy and love of music and art than the business and politics of the industry. They were there to rock and showcase their sound, likely featuring material from their 2021 debut, Bulletproof. Taking full advantage of the small stage, they disregarded barriers and security, utilizing every inch of space. The group radiated incredible energy, camaraderie, and countless smiles, clearly enjoying the performance. Humble and enthusiastic, both the band and the crowd relished the experience.
Dear Mother
As for what’s next for Dear Mother, the details are not entirely clear, but they appear to revel in their 2023 experience, introducing their music to the world. Having recently marked their eleventh live show, the band has promised more significant surprises in store for 2024, soon to be revealed.
70000 tons of Metal will return on January 29th, setting sail from Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and back on February 2nd with another batch promising sixty bands to perform twice throughout the waves of adventure. The announcements have been moving fast this year as tickets have already gone on sale, and, well no updates since our last post but, in case you missed it, 37 bands out of 60 have been revealed thus far:
2024 70000tons of Metal artists:
Aborted
Angra
Blind Guardian
Blood Red Throne
Crypta
Dalriada
Depressive Age
Draconian
Dynazty
Epica
Equilibrium
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Grave Digger
Heidevolk
Infected Rain
Iotunn
Kataklysm
Legion of the Damned
Lord of the Lost
Marduk
My Dying Bride
Mystic Prophecy
Nanowar of Steel
Nervosa
Nile
Omnium Gatherum
Saor
Scar Symmetry
Serenity
Sodom
The Halo Effect
Thyrfing
Tygers of Pan Tang
Unleashed
Victory
Warkings
Wind Rose
2023 Artist Spotlight:
