Countdown to 2025: 7 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 35 of 62 Lich King
70000tons of Metal promises to deliver sixty bands each year, though filling all the slots can sometimes take longer and occur at varying times. Occasionally, unexpected challenges arise, such as last year when Legion of the Damned had to drop out at the last minute due to being denied entry into the U.S. Finding a replacement on short notice isn’t always easy, and in some cases, it doesn’t happen at all. This has occurred in previous years with bands like Gojira and Nile being forced to cancel or going silent about their scheduled appearance.
In 2024, Massachusetts thrashers Lich King stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Legion of the Damned. Despite the short notice, the band delivered two energetic sets. Their first performance took place on Day 2, January 30, 2024, at the Pool Deck at 11:30 AM, followed by their second set on Day 4, February 1, 2024, at Studio B Ice Rink Theater at 3:30 PM.
We caught their first set, which brought an early start to the day after a brief nap from the previous night. Despite the limited preparation time, Lich King did an incredible job.
What’s next for Lich King?
Later, in 2024, Lich King embarked on a North American tour, joined by fellow 70000tons cruisers Nervosa, along with Hatriot. No tour dates have been announced just yet for 2025, nor has there been any news of a follow-up to 2017’s The Omniclasm. However, on Christmas Day 2024, the band encouraged fans to “keep their eyes peeled” for future updates.
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
Artist Spotlight 2024:
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
Infected Rain
Inhuman Condition
Iotunn
Kataklysm
Katatonia
Leaves’ Eyes
Left-Övr
Kyle’s Top 10 Moments of 70000tons 2024
Tom’s Top 10 Sets of 70000tons 2024