Charting the course to 2024: reflecting on 70000tons of Metal 2023 Artist Spotlight: Hypocrisy

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 29: Hypocrisy.

The excitement still lingers from the moment death metal legends Hypocrisy were added to the lineup just days before returning to the boat after an extended absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an astonishing surprise, marking the Swedish giants’ first appearance on the metal seas. Although it wasn’t mastermind Peter Tägtgren’s first time on the boat, his other project, Pain, appeared in the 2017 edition. Hypocrisy’s first set occurred on Day 2, January 31st, 2023, at 12:30 AM on the Pool Deck, performing under the mysterious stars and possible UFO sightings for this special occasion. Their second set took place on Day 4, February 2nd, at 10:30 PM at the Royal Theater. Witnessing both sets in their entirety was a rare chance at 70000tons, possible for only a select few. Given the alien subcontext to their music, being on a boat with no real connections to the outside world, surrounded by 3,000 cruisers dressed in cosplay and anything-goes attire, all while having little to no sleep, made watching Hypocrisy perform live much more exhilarating than any other Hypocrisy show.

Hypocrisy set 1:

The first set had a nice wind effect with the inconsistency of the lights and added fog, creating a perfect capture and setting of the mood of their music, fitting for the touring cycle for 2021’s Worship. From the wind of international waters to the enclosed space at the Royal Theater, Hypocrisy delivered strong sets with songs highlighting their career. From newer tracks like “Chemical Whore” to everyone’s favorites such as “Eraser,” “Mind Corruption,” “Fire In The Sky,” and, of course, closing both nights with their infamous, timeless song, “Roswell 47.” It was a true honor to see them on the boat, and hopefully, they will consider making a return.

Hypocrisy set 2:

Looking ahead to 2024, it appears Hypocrisy may take a back seat as Tägtgren has been relatively active with Pain, recently wrapping their I Am European Tour and releasing a video for Pain’s latest single, “Revolution.” While there may be more music coming from Pain, considering the recently remastered mix of Hypocrisy’s seventh album, Into The Abyss, along with a listening session of their classic self-titled record, it wouldn’t be surprising if they have more planned for 2024 than their scheduled Rockharz Festival appearance. Only time will tell what these death metal legends have in store for the new year.

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, 36 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