70000tons 2024 Artist Spotlight: Fleshgod Apocalypse

Countdown to 2025: 30 Days

SOOOOOOON, the famous word for 70000tons of Metal cruisers know to love and hate. And one thing you learn is announcements are always unpredictable. After experiencing the 2024 edition to its fullest capability, we captured all sixty-two bands, bringing back our Artist Spotlight, our countdown to the 2025 voyage, leaving on January 30 in Miami, setting sail to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and returning on February 3, 2025. Round 12, the 2024 experience, took place from January 29 – February 2, sailing from Miami to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on the Freedom of the Seas.

70000tons 2024 Round 12: ARTIST 23 of 62 Fleshgod Apocalypse

Italian symphonic death metal giants Fleshgod Apocalypse marked their third voyage on the metal seas in 2024, following appearances in 2016 and 2019. Each performance has reflected a significant chapter in the band’s evolution.
In 2016, Fleshgod introduced King as a five-piece featuring soprano vocalist Veronica Bordacchini, who had contributed to every album since 2011’s Agony. Roughly a year after their 2016 appearance, in 2017, vocalist/guitarist Tommaso Riccardi left the group for personal reasons, prompting Francesco Paoli to step away from drums to take over vocals and guitar. This lineup carried into 2019’s Veleno, with the band premiering “Fury” live during their 70000tons 2019 set.
The pandemic in 2020 brought challenges, including a rock-climbing incident for Paoli. Instead, Paoli channeled the pain into rehabilitation and eventually went into the band’s latest album, 2024’s Opera, unveiling a refreshed lineup. Well ahead of Opera’s release, the band’s 2024 70000tons performance hinted at changes. Veronica officially took on all clean and soprano vocals, with Paoli on bass, Fabio Bartoletti on guitar, Eugene Ryabchenko on drums, and Francesco Ferrini behind a classical grand piano. Absent from the stage was Paolo Rossi, signaling a lineup shift not yet formally addressed.
Fleshgod’s sets on the cruise, Day 1, January 29, 2024, at Studio B Ice Rink Theater, 12:45 AM, and Day 4, February 1, 2024, on the Pool Deck, 5:45 PM, delivered strong performances.
The first set plunged fans into a dark and atmospheric death opera, with flickering strobes and moments of near darkness. The second set had the dead perform in dusk, featuring a haunting classical prelude before launching into a blistering, unique performance. The band’s presence made it clear they were ready for Opera and their next chapter.

What’s next for Fleshgod Apocalypse?

Following their 70000tons performance, Fleshgod Apocalypse officially announced parting ways with Paolo Rossi, moving forward as a five-piece with Veronica Bordacchini handling all clean and soprano vocals and Francesco Paoli taking on vocals and bass.
In August 2024, the band released Opera via Nuclear Blast, landing on three of Metal Insider’s year-end lists (Lisa’s, Jordeana’s and Zenae’s). Fleshgod Apocalypse are set to hit the road shortly after the New Year, beginning a European tour this Friday (January 3rd). For the complete list of tour dates, visit here.

What is the Artist Spotlight?

Well, it’s more than a review of their performance; as 70000tons goes, each band is a headliner, and we treat each one as such, giving them their own spread, discussing who they are and what they’ve been up to since the cruise. Each spotlight coincides with any updates from 70000tons organizers (if any), leading to days before setting sail. An extensive coverage like no other.

What does 70000tons 2025 look like?

There’s a reason why we want to keep going until we can’t. With at least 120 promised shows, bands performing twice within four days, including an All-Star Jam, Belly Flop Contest, Shore Excursions, meet and greets, clinics, workshops, pool girls and boys, hot tub mosh pits, cosplay madness, and much more. 2025, round 13 of 70000tons of Metal will bring cruisers back on the Independence of the Seas, setting sail on January 30 from Miami to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and returning to Miami on February 3, 2025. Tickets are available here. Also, check out the essential packing guide here.

70000tons 2025 Lineup [34 out of 60]:

Arcturus
Benighted
Beyond Creation
Candlemass
Crownshift
Decapitated
Delain
Emperor
Ex Deo
Finntroll
Flotsam & Jetsam
Hammerfall
Ihsahn
In Extremo
Kalmah
Krisiun
Majestica
Mork
Onslaught
Samael
Septicflesh
Sepultura
Sonata Arctica
Stratovarius
Subway to Sally
Swallow The Sun
Symphony X
Tankard
The Kovenant
The Zenith Passage
Trollfest
Trouble
Twilight Force
Unleash the Archers