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 14: Destruction.
No stranger to the metal seas, German thrash giants Destruction embarked on the boat for the fourth time, following previous appearances in 2011, 2015, and 2018. However, their 2023 performance marked a global introduction of sorts, marking a shift from a trio to a quad. The year 2021 brought a significant change for the group as Mike Sifringer left, prompting a restructuring that introduced guitarists Damir Eskić and Martin Furia. The change was showcased in 2022’s Diabolical, which also marked their label switch, signing with Napalm Records. With these significant changes, we were eager to witness the transformation in action, fortunate enough to catch both sets live.
On January 31st, the second day of the voyage, Destruction delivered a powerful performance on the Pool Deck stage at 6:00 PM, obliterating the sun into oblivion. As dusk slowly settled in, Destruction’s performance, led by Schmier’s dominating vocals, reverberated across the pool deck area. The addition of guitarists elevated the sound, injecting a new level of energy into the performance.
Destruction Set 1:
Destruction had the honor of concluding the voyage by closing the Royal Theater on the fourth day, February 2nd, at 10:30 PM. Aware that it was the final night, we were fortunate to witness the entire set absorbing their performance. With abundant energy, these German thrash masters delivered a memorable closing act.
2023 holds special significance for Destruction as they celebrate their fortieth anniversary. These giants have been commemorating their storied career throughout the year, culminating in their final show not too long ago. Hopefully, news about a new album or a potential tour in 2024 will follow.
Destruction Set 2:
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:
