Countdown to 2025: 2 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 50 of 62 Skyforger

Latvian pagan/folk metal outfit Skyforger brought their blend of Baltic mythology, folklore, and history to 3,000 cruisers during their debut 70000tons 2024 appearance. Their first set took place on Day 1, January 29, 2024, at the Star Lounge at 2:15 AM. We attended their second set, which kicked off Day 3, January 31, 2024, at Studio B Ice Rink Theater at 5:00 PM. Known for their richly textured sound, which incorporates traditional Latvian instruments and melodies alongside heavy, aggressive riffs, Skyforger’s exploration of ancient Pagan culture captivated the audience. 

What’s next for Skyforger?

Skyforger are forging ahead into 2025 with three gigs already scheduled. For tickets and more information, visit their website. Bands like Skyforger are a rare treat, and we can only hope they continue to appear on 70000tons, as opportunities to see them perform in the U.S. are limited.

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 [60 out of 60…or more?]:

Abysmal Dawn
Arcturus
Benighted
Beyond Creation
Cabrakaän
Candlemass
Crownshift
Decapitated
Delain
Destinity
Emperor
Ex Deo
Fabulae Dramatis
Finntroll
Flotsam & Jetsam
Fractal Sun
Hammerfall
Hate
Incantation
Ihsahn
In Extremo
Kalmah
Kissin’ Dynamite
Krisiun
Lutharo
Majestica
Matalobos
Metsatöll
Mork
Onslaught
Painful
Pessimist
Powerglove
Reaping Asmodeia
Samael
Septicflesh
Sepultura
Seven Kingdoms
Sonata Arctica
Stormruler
Stratovarius
Striker
Subway to Sally
Suffocation
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
Warfield

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
My Dying Bride
Mystic Prophecy
Nanowar of Steel
Nervosa
Noturnall
Omnium Gatherum
Pentagram (Chile)
Rising Steel
Saor
Scar Symmetry
Serenity
Shores of Null
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

 

author avatar
Zenae Zukowski