70000tons of Metal Artist Spotlight 2024: Grave Digger

Countdown to 2025: 27 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 25 of 62 Grave Digger

Grave Digger made their fifth appearance in 2024, following performances in 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2020. The German heavy/power metal veterans once again commanded the stage with their signature energy and charisma. Their first set took place on Day 2, January 30, 2024, at the Royal Theater at 5:00 PM, followed by a second set on Day 3, January 31, 2024, at 8:30 PM on the Pool Deck.

We were fortunate to catch their first set, where the band delivered a powerful and energized performance, showcasing their signature live presence. Since their 2020 appearance, Grave Digger has released two albums, 2020’s Fields of Blood and 2022’s Symbol of Eternity. Proving they are unstoppable, the band continues to excel both on stage and in the studio, remaining as dedicated as ever to their craft.

What’s next for Grave Digger?

Grave Digger closed out 2024 by announcing their upcoming twenty-third full-length album, Bone Collector, set for release on January 17 via ROAR. The band has already unveiled singles such as “Kingdom of Skulls,” “Killing Is My Pleasure,” and “The Devil’s Serenade,” promising a return to their old-school roots.

In addition to the new album, Grave Digger will soon embark on a tour celebrating their 45th anniversary. Tickets for the tour are available at this location, and album pre-orders can be found here.

Track List:

01) Bone Collector
02) The Rich The Poor The Dying
03) Kingdom Of Skulls
04) The Devil’s Serenade
05) Killing Is My Pleasure
06) Mirror Of Hate
07) Riders Of Doom
08) Made Of Madness
09) Graveyard Kings
10) Forever Evil & Buried Alive
11) Whispers Of The Damned

Tour Dates:

01/16 (DE) Siegburg @ Kubana Live Club
01/17 (DE) München @ Backstage
01/18 (DE) Glauchau @ Alte Spinnerei
01/23 (DE) Stuttgart @ Im Wizemann
01/24 (DE) Hamburg @ Markthalle
01/25 (DE) Andernach @ JUZ Live Club
01/26 (CH) Pratteln @ Z7 Konzertfabrik
01/30 (DE) Aschaffenburg @ Colos-Saal
01/31 (DE) Nürnberg @ Hirsch
02/01 (DE) Memmingen @ Kaminwerk
02/02 (DE) Mannheim @ 7er Club
02/05 (DE) Hannover @ MusikZentrum
02/06 (DE) Berlin @ Hole 44
02/07 (DE) Neuruppin @ Kulturhaus
02/08 (DE) Essen @ Turock
04/17 (DE) Blieskastel-Bierbach @ Pirminiushalle
05/03 (DE) Wilferdingen @ No Playback Festival
05/10 (DE) Gladbeck @ Metal Bash Open Air
05/30 (DE) Oberscheidweiler @ Resäcker Open Air
07/11 (DE) Bissingen @ Wisdom Tooth Festival
07/12 (DE) Balingen @ RVBang Festival
07/18 (IT) Cremona @ Luppolo In Rock
07/30 – 08/02 (DE) Wacken @ Wacken Open Air
08/29 (DK) Næstved @ Næstved Metalfest

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