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 19: Empress.
Progressive/symphonic metal outfit Empress may not be unfamiliar with 70000tons of Metal, with members having participated in the voyage previously. However, 2023 marked their official debut, a historic moment that reflects the organizers’ responsiveness to attendee preferences. The Pennsylvania metal group took the stage on the metal seas, with their first set on Day 1, January 30th, at 11:15 PM in the Star Lounge, and a second set on Day 3, February 1st, at 3:00 AM at Studio B – Ice Rink Theater. Despite the close call, we were fortunate to witness their second performance.
Having garnered a positive response from the initial announcement and widespread admiration from cruisers, we were eager to see Empress for ourselves, and indeed, we were fortunate to catch their act. Currently unsigned (thus far), the band has been making waves independently since 2018, performing with the expertise as though they’re seasoned veterans. Their charismatic energy and captivating performance held the audience’s attention, even during the late hours of the night. Vocalist Barbara Blackthorne was a standout, showcasing a versatile range from graceful, clean singing to brutal guttural screams, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
As for Empress’s current endeavors, following the trend of previously discussed bands from the 2023 edition of 70000tons, they are on an upward trajectory, with promising prospects for the group. After a tour alongside Seven Kingdoms and Osyron, which we covered back in September, their 2023 touring cycle seems to have come to an end. However, the band has exciting plans for 2024 and appears to have already entered the writing stages for their new album. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the next chapter as they continue to advance in their musical career.
Empress
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
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
Tygers of Pan Tang
Unleashed
Victory
Warkings
Wind Rose
2023 Artist Spotlight:
