Every year, a few days before we hop on a plane to Florida to board the annual 70000 Tons of Metal cruise, they drop the complete running order of bands on their website. This sparks both excitement and extreme panic in me. I immediately print off two copies (since I’m going to fuck up at least one), grab a Sharpie, and start flagging which sets I absolutely have to see and which I have to skip if I have any intentions of eating/sleeping/showering and/or drinking. With a minimum of 60 bands (each playing two sets), an All-Star Jam, and all sorts of signings and special events crammed into four days at sea, there’s never a dull moment. So, for the neurotic types like me, a lot of planning goes into the trip! 2024 was no exception, and there were some amazing sets this year, and some from bands that are extra special because they rarely come through North America to play live.

Presented in alphabetical order, here are my top ten sets of 70000 Tons of Metal 2024!

01) Blind Guardian – Pool Deck, Day 03

Photo Credit: Tom Mis

Starting with an easy one, since Blind Guardian never disappoints live! With a deep catalog to pull from, the band played two different sets with only a handful of overlaps. Maybe it was the setlist, maybe it was the cool mist over the ocean, or maybe it was just the woman dressed up like Frodo Baggins against the barrier (waving around a plastic Sting sword), but their Pool Deck set was absolutely perfect. Consider that the same core members have been doing this since the late ‘80s, and that new songs from 2022’s The God Machine hold up against tracks from their official debut full-length Battalions of Fear from 1988, and you’ve got an epic setlist. No Blind Guardian set, however, would be complete without an extended singalong to the classic “Valhalla” and fan favorite “Mirror Mirror” – the Pool Deck was literally built for moments like this!

02) Crypta – Pool Deck, Day 03

Photo Credit: Tom Mis

Crypta had one of the most insane timeslots on board – a 5:15 am Pool Deck set – but that doesn’t mean folks didn’t turn out. In fact, they packed the stage. Some chose to get up crazy early in the morning for this set, and some just never went to bed at all. Despite the wild hour, the band seemed perfectly refreshed and ready to go. Fernanda Lira’s stage presence puts her up there with the greats of the genre – she’s incredibly engaging to watch, only standing still long enough to sing into the mic. Her partner in crime, Luana Dametto, keeps the band locked in tight with exceptional precision. Though much of the praise often falls on the band leaders, I don’t want to diminish the contributions of guitarists Tainá Bergamaschi and Jéssica Falchi – while this easily could’ve been a “hired gun” situation, both guitarists are critical to the band’s dynamic. Jéssica’s sunny disposition on stage is always a joy to watch, while Tainá’s persistent scowl embraces the darker nature of the music. Like two sides of the same coin, this pairing is perfect with Fernanda and Luana. Crypta on record doesn’t compare to seeing them live!

03) Dalriada – Royal Theater, Day 01

Photo Credit: Tom Mis

This band does not get enough love in the United States – and it doesn’t help that all of their songs are in Hungarian. But you are truly missing out if you slept on Dalriada (especially if you literally slept through their 3am set in the Theater). Dalriada is one of the most fun folk metal bands around. Forget moshing; we’re here to dance and have a good time. Sure, I can’t pronounce any of these song names, but I recognize “Napom, Fenyes Napom” immediately from the opening strings and start clapping along, and the room lit up for big single, “Hajdútánc” – it’s impossible not to have a good time seeing Dalriada, unless of course, you hate fun. This is also a really great example of a band that you probably won’t see in North America outside of the cruise (the only other time I had the chance to catch them live was on 70000 Tons of Metal a few years ago!). This set was unmissable, and was absolutely worth destroying the floor in the Theater just to dance!