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 27: Hei’An.
Hailing from Slovenia, the progressive metal outfit Hei’An showcased their distinctive style and debut album, Imago, to an audience of 3,000 cruisers from across the globe. Their first performance took place at 10:45 AM on Day 2, January 31st, 2023, at the Royal Theater, followed by a second set on Day 3, February 1st, 2023, at the intimate Star Lounge at 3:45 AM. We were fortunate to catch a portion of their initial performance. Bathed in blue lights, the group skillfully delivered emotive riffs and intricate prog movements, providing a compelling introduction that secured their return, this time for an appearance at ProgPower in the United States. Despite having only one full-length album, the band has been making waves with their music, now turning their attention to 2024 and beyond.
Since their performance on 70000tons, they have held approximately 15 shows throughout the year and are currently writing their sophomore album while developing their schedule for 2024. This progressive metal ensemble exemplifies the diverse offerings of the cruise, introducing bands from around the world that might have yet to have the opportunity to tour or make appearances in the United States. The cruise provides a platform to step out of one’s comfort zone and discover different acts in a live setting. Hei’An is forging ahead, and we look forward to seeing their growth in 2024 and onward.
Hei’An
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:
