70000tons of Metal 2024 Artist Spotlight: Blind Guardian

Countdown to 2025: 44 Days

SOOOOOOON, the famous word for 70000tons of Metal cruisers know to love and hate. And one thing you learn is announcements are always unpredictable. After experiencing the 2024 edition to its fullest capability, we captured all sixty-two bands, bringing back our Artist Spotlight, our countdown to the 2025 voyage, leaving on January 30 in Miami, setting sail to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and returning on February 3, 2025. Round 12, the 2024 experience, took place from January 29 – February 2, sailing from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on the Freedom of the Seas.

70000tons 2024 Round 12: ARTIST 9 of 62 Blind Guardian

Blind Guardian didn’t just charm the scene with their legendary status in power metal history; they made it three times to charming aboard the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise. Sailing for their third time in 2024, after first gracing the ship in 2011 and again in 2015, these German power metal legends brought two unforgettable sets, and we were there for every glorious moment.

The first performance kicked off Night One on January 29th, 2024, at 11:15 PM in the Royal Theater. With tracks like “Imaginations From the Other Side,” “Nightfall,” “Bright Eyes,” “Valhalla,” and “Mirror Mirror,” Blind Guardian turned the venue into a sea of emotive energy. The bright lights and the band’s electric presence set the tone for a sleepless first night, leaving the crowd buzzing for more.

But as epic as the first set was, their second performance under the stars took things to an entirely new level. On Day Three, January 31st, at 10:30 PM, Blind Guardian took over the Pool Deck, where the magic of hot tub moshes, crowd surfers, and the unbeatable camaraderie of the metal community came together for a show no one will forget. Bathed in a wash of reds, blues, greens, and swirling fog, the band tore through tracks like “Into The Storm,” “Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill),” “Deliver Us From Evil,” “Lord of the Rings,” and gave fans another massive round of “Valhalla” and “Mirror Mirror.” It’s safe to say Blind Guardian are a must-see band on 70000 Tons of Metal, and after this year’s performance, here’s hoping it won’t be long before they return.

What’s next for Blind Guardian?

Blind Guardian celebrated their iconic 1992 record, Somewhere Far Beyond, with a revisited edition. They also made a triumphant return after eight long years to New York City, where Metal Insider contributor Ian Weber was present to review the event. Looking ahead, 2025 seems like another busy year, with festivals and European dates announced. Tour dates can be found at this location. As for a follow-up to 2022’s The God Machine or perhaps a celebration of thirty years of 1995’s Imaginations From the Other Side, we’re not entirely sure what Blind Guardian has up their mystical sleeves, but we can only expect to hear more from them throughout the year.

What is the Artist Spotlight?

Well, it’s more than a review of their performance; as 70000tons goes, each band is a headliner, and we treat each one as such, giving them their own spread, discussing who they are and what they’ve been up to since the cruise. Each spotlight coincides with any updates from 70000tons organizers (if any), leading to days before setting sail. An extensive coverage like no other.

What does 70000tons 2025 look like?

There’s a reason why we want to keep going until we can’t. With at least 120 promised shows, bands performing twice within four days, including an All-Star Jam, Belly Flop Contest, Shore Excursions, meet and greets, clinics, workshops, pool girls and boys, hot tub mosh pits, cosplay madness, and much more. 2025, round 13 of 70000tons of Metal will bring cruisers back on the Independence of the Seas, setting sail on January 30 from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and returning to Miami on February 3, 2025. Tickets are available here. Also, check out the essential packing guide here.

70000tons 2025 Lineup [34 out of 60]:

Arcturus
Benighted
Beyond Creation
Candlemass
Crownshift
Decapitated
Delain
Emperor
Ex Deo
Finntroll
Flotsam & Jetsam
Hammerfall
Ihsahn
In Extremo
Kalmah
Krisiun
Majestica
Mork
Onslaught
Samael
Septicflesh
Sepultura
Sonata Arctica
Stratovarius
Subway to Sally
Swallow The Sun
Symphony X
Tankard
The Kovenant
The Zenith Passage
Trollfest
Trouble
Twilight Force
Unleash the Archers