Artist Spotlight 70000tons 2023

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 55: Vicious Rumors.

California heavy metal giants Vicious Rumors embarked on their fourth voyage in 2023, making them gold status on the metal seas. Their first appearance took place in 2012, followed by their second in 2014, third in 2019, and fourth in 2023. No stranger to the stages, the group charged the Pool Deck on their first set on Day 2, January 31st, 2023, at 1:00 PM and ripped into their second performance on Day 3, February 1st, at 6:00 PM at the Royal Theater. We made it just in time for the group’s first set, when they revealed they were invited last minute. These things happen due to last-minute cancellations and potential additions trying to have the promised 60 bands. Handling it like pros and showcasing how honored they were to be on stage after nearly three years of silence from the pandemic, the band gave a fun and entertaining set, perfect for a booze-fueled afternoon.

For those who missed Vicious Rumors, essentially exactly one year ago on this experience, there’s much more for them in 2024. This March, the group will be teaming up with the legendary Raven for an All Hell’s Breaking Loose U.S. tour with Lutharo and Wicked. Vicious Rumors will celebrate their 45th anniversary and perform their debut album, Soldiers of the Night. But wait, there’s more: the group does have a follow-up to 2020’s Celebration Decay and more tour dates to look forward to this summer throughout Europe. For the U.S. trek, check out the stops via this location.

Vicious Rumors

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 initially moved fast and suddenly went on a halt. However, things are back on track, and looks to be final(?). With last minute cancellations and possible surprise announcements, one can never be so sure until the actual voyage begins. Following the reveal that Draconian and Marduk were forced to drop off and adding Wolfheart and Pentagram (Chile) to the mix, the “B” band has been unveiled. While 2023 we saw Batushka perform, this year, we will see Krzysztof Drabikowski’s Batushka, making 62 out of 60 bands thus far. In case you missed it, check out Metal Insider’s 70000tons essential packing guide.

2024 70000tons of Metal artists:

Aborted
Acod
Angra
April Art
Arion
Avulsed
Krzysztof Drabikowski’s Batushka
Before the Dawn
Blind Guardian
Blood Red Throne
Carnation
Crypta
Dalriada
Décembre Noir
Disillusion
Dynazty
Edenbridge
Einherjer
Endseeker
Epica
Equilibrium
Fleshcrawl
Fleshgod Apocalypse
Graceless
Grave Digger
Heidevolk
I Am The Night Horde
Infected Rain
Inhuman Condition
Iotunn
Kataklysm
Katatonia
Leaves’ Eyes
LEFT-ÖVR
Legion of the Damned
Lord of the Lost
My Dying Bride
Mystic Prophecy
Nanowar of Steel
Nervosa
Nile
Noturnail
Omnium Gatherum
Pentagram (Chile)
Rising Steel
Saor
Scar Symmetry
Serenity
Shores of Null
Skyforger
Sodom
Temperance
The Halo Effect
Threshold
Tygers of Pan Tang
Unleashed
Victory
Vision Divine
Waltari
Warkings
Wind Rose
Wolfheart