Countdown to 2025: 4 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 38 of 62 My Dying Bride
The UK’s gothic/doom masters, My Dying Bride, embarked on the metal seas for the third time in 2024, following previous voyages in 2012 and 2016. Delivering pure doom and nothing else, the 2024 edition came just months before the release of their new album, A Mortal Binding.
Despite some technical issues, the band’s first set took place on Day 2, January 30, 2024, scheduled for 8:00 PM. Their second performance followed on Day 4, February 1, 2024, at 6:30 PM. Whether it was the dark lighting or the fog creating a lingering silhouette, nothing stopped the group from mesmerizing the 3,000 cruisers in attendance. We were there for both performances to witness their magic of doom and gloom mastery.
What’s next for My Dying Bride?
By March 2024, My Dying Bride was nearing the release of their new album. Everything seemed on track, with promotional efforts underway and shows planned for the year. However, on April 9, just ten days before A Mortal Binding was set to debut, Maryland Deathfest organizers announced that My Dying Bride had dropped off the lineup, with Agalloch stepping in as their replacement. At the time, the cancellation appeared vague with no mention of visa issues or specific reasons.
When the album was finally released, the band issued a statement explaining the situation. The group explained how the production of their latest album revved up existing tensions within the band and have cancelled all 2024 shows.
After months of silence, the band made a surprising announcement in December, revealing that Swallow the Sun’s Mikko Kotamäki would join them as a vocalist for their 2025 live performances. 70000tons of Metal 2024 was more or less one of the last live gigs to feature vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe live with the band until further notice.
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 [54 out of 60]:
Abysmal Dawn
Arcturus
Benighted
Beyond Creation
Cabrakaän
Candlemass
Crownshift
Decapitated
Delain
Destinity
Emperor
Ex Deo
Fabulae Dramatis
Finntroll
Flotsam & Jetsam
Hammerfall
Incantation
Ihsahn
In Extremo
Kalmah
Kissin’ Dynamite
Krisiun
Lutharo
Majestica
Metsatöll
Mork
Onslaught
Painful
Pessimist
Powerglove
Reaping Asmodeia
Samael
Septicflesh
Sepultura
Seven Kingdoms
Sonata Arctica
Stratovarius
Striker
Subway to Sally
Super Monster Party
Swallow The Sun
Symphony X
Tankard
Tenebrarum
The Dread Crew of Oddwood
The Kovenant
The Mourning
The Zenith Passage
Thy Antichrist
Total Death
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
Lich King
Lord of the Lost
Monstrosity
Kyle’s Top 10 Moments of 70000tons 2024
Tom’s Top 10 Sets of 70000tons 2024
Artist Spotlight 2023:
Recap from 2023 artists
Shortcut to all 60 artists here