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 4: Atrocity.
Between Leaves’ Eyes and Atrocity appearances, the formidable Alexander Krull has surpassed achieving gold card status on 70000tons of Metal. As the vocalist and mastermind behind both projects, he has attended four times, with Atrocity performing in 2014, 2019, and 2023, while Leaves’ Eyes embarked on their journey in 2014 and returned in 2018 and 2020. After the COVID-19 pandemic took so much from us, including live shows, the overall return in 2023 held significant meaning for Atrocity and Krull. They were fortunate to introduce their new album, Okkult III, live for the first time aboard one of the best heavy metal cruises. Krull initially shared the following statement himself:
“70000 Tons of Metal is a very special and unique festival experience for every metal fan and musician! It feels like to be in a crazy metal paradise – almost surreal especially after the painful Corona years without live events. For Atrocity it was even more exciting as we could celebrate our release shows for the new OKKULT III album and playing the new material for the first time live on stage, a world premiere in the Caribbean – it can’t get any better than this! It was also a big pleasure to host again the All Star Jam, this year together with the wonderful Clementine of Visions of Atlantis. Thanks to the whole 70k family for an amazing adventure!”
Metal Insider was fortunate to catch their first set at the Royal Theater at 1:45 PM on the second day of the voyage, January 31st, 2023, just eleven days after their new album, Okkult III, was released via Massacre Records. As dim lights bathed the stage and devoted fans gathered eagerly at the front, Krull and the rest of the band delivered an unforgettable performance. It was evident that they were not only relishing their return to 70000tons but also savoring their overall comeback to live performances before an enthusiastic crowd. Krull had a proud moment when he brought his son onto the stage to introduce him to everyone. This presentation marked a departure from what was seen in the previous round with Leaves’ Eyes, as the darker and bleaker atmosphere infused a menacing thrill into the show.
As for Atrocity’s next move, it seems we’ll need to stay tuned, as they appear to have wrapped up an incredible summer festival season. However, it might be time for Leaves’ Eyes to take the spotlight with a possible follow-up to 2020’s The Last Viking. Whatever musical venture Krull embarks on, it’s bound to be filled with the unique symphonic medleys that characterize Leaves’ Eyes or the dark, gloomy, and morbidly destructive sounds of Atrocity. These two projects complement each other like yin and yang, and if you haven’t already listened to Atrocity’s Okkult III, what are you waiting for?
Atrocity
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:
