70000Tons of Metal Review: The Metal Cruise Festival is Paradise at Sea

Escaping the winter chill for Miami’s 25°C warmth, thousands of metalheads from 81 countries for what would become four days of sonic brutality on the high seas. The 70000Tons of Metal festival delivered an experience that defied conventional festival boundaries, creating an intimate floating community where fans could breakfast alongside their heroes and witness Roman-armored attendees casually climbing deck stairs.

What immediately strikes you about this cruise is its wonderfully absurd juxtaposition of elements. By day four, an official costume contest had transformed the ship into a surreal metal Comic Con, complete with gruesome masks, Kool Aid man outfits, and everything from squid costumes to poop emojis. The sight of someone in a full velvet purple cape and glittering headgear at the breakfast buffet (where you’re also likely to see metal greats like Udo Dirkschneider and Ihsahn) perfectly encapsulates the festival’s spirit. Metalheads are all about embracing fun and that was on full display aboard the sunny and windy Independence of The Seas cruise ship.

The festival’s inclusive atmosphere welcomed everyone from older fans preferring seats to younger headbangers, with wheelchair-accessible stage areas ensuring no one missed the action. As the ship departed to some cheers and the P.A. played Godflesh’s thundering “New Dark Ages” marking the moment, it became clear this was a special gathering, a kind of temporary nation of black T-shirts taking over the Atlantic.

Day One: Emperor, Onslaught and Benighted Delivery Brutality

The festival’s multi-venue approach created distinct atmospheres throughout the ship. Beyond Creation kicked things off at Star Lounge with modern, wavy heavy metal, while Onslaught brought old-school thrash to Studio B, a stage converted from an ice rink. The theatrical Royal Theater hosted Twilight Force’s epic fantasy adventures, complete with crowd members brandishing replica swords.

Norway metal legends Emperor delivered a masterclass in black metal despite visa issues that left them without Samoth, proving their professionalism with guitar tracks filling the gap. Their performance of “The Burning Shadows of Silence” ignited moshpits, while “The Loss and Curse of Reverence” showcased a well-oiled machine treating their craft with utmost seriousness.

French pulverizers Benighted at the Star Lounge were perfect to break one’s neck for headbanging, as frontman Julien Truchan goaded the crowd to do with songs like “Fame of the Grotesque.” It’s a jolt from the blue at 1 am to hear the breakneck speed and intensity of “Scapegoat” from the band, whom we saw about a decade ago at Czechia’s Brutal Assault festival and we’re convinced they seldom have a bad day.

Day Two: Trollfest’s Flam-boyance and Mad Winds

Norwegian band Trollfest’s morning performance on windy pool deck stage epitomized the cruise’s party atmosphere. Appearing in pink onesies for their Eurovision entry “Dance Like A Pink Flamingo,” they transformed potential weather challenges into entertainment gold, encouraging audience participation while attendees wore flamingo floaties and unicorn dresses. This was clearly the band many abroad 70000Tons were here to watch.

Despite battling powerful winds on the pool deck later in the evening, German veteran Dirkschneider proved that age is just a number as the Accept veteran commanded the stage at 72 with classics like “Flash Rockin’ Man” and “Midnight Mover.” The evening reached its emotional peak when guitarist Fabian Dee Dammers called his girlfriend on stage for a surprise proposal before launching into “Princess of the Dawn.” Dirkschneider gave his blessings and later on, of course ended with the Accept classic “Balls To The Wall.”

Boston act Powerglove emerged as crowd favorites, turning their video game metal into interactive theater. With dueling guitars and synth work mirroring classic gaming soundtracks, they tackled everything from X-Men to Tetris while a fan in a pterodactyl suit wandered through the crowd, creating one of the festival’s most memorable moments.

Incantation proved that death metal masters could balance on-stage banter and brutality, delivering a crushing set that ended with the breakneck “Impending Diabolical Conquest.” Meanwhile, Swallow the Sun elevated their Royal Theater performance by incorporating dancers from Ballet Finland, creating graceful yet intense storytelling that transformed the band into sonic storytellers supporting the visual narrative for songs like “Plague of Butterflies.” Perhaps the best use of the theater stage setting, this was unmissable and a clear highlight of 70000Tons of Metal.

Stratovarius showcased their Finnish power/prog metal mastery, seamlessly traversing energetic anthems and more contemplative pieces like “4000 Rainy Nights.” Their performance of faster tracks like “Will the Sun Rise?” became truly captivating with windswept hair adding to the dramatic atmosphere.

Fellow symphonic metal veterans Symphony X brought their signature virtuoso performance to the proceedings, demonstrating technical prowess that has made them legends in progressive metal. In a delightful surprise, they incorporated an unexpected reggae interlude to mark the ship’s approach to Jamaica, showing their playful side alongside their musical sophistication.

Day Three: Sun, Sand and Back on the Boat

After a day in Ocho Rios where attendees could take on touristy excursions or just laze by the beach, the ship’s atmosphere became notably more relaxed once everyone was back on board.

Canada’s rising Unleash The Archers demonstrated why they’re major draws in modern metal, combining power and heavy metal with death metal elements in an accessible yet adventurous performance, including songs like “Green & Glass” from their new album Phantoma.

Fellow Canucks Ex Deo brought theatrical warfare to their set at Studio B, with members in full warrior mode and ominous string sections creating explosive attacks. Their dramatic presentation, complete with poses and Colosseum references, merged Sepultura and Pantera influences with death metal brutality.

Powerglove showed us why a different set at another stage. They deployed inflatable weapons to battle on “Super Smash Bros Melee Theme.“ The festival crowd brought their A-game as well, with Pikachu and Mario cosplayers and a nostalgia trip that made it one of the most fun sets of the festival, complete with the Falcon punch-referencing “Mario Minor,” the Pokemon and Power Rangers theme

Day Four: Costumes, Contests and Celebrations

The final day’s official costume theme transformed the ship into a carnival of creativity. The belly flop contest featuring mermaids, Batman, and lucha fighters provided perfect counterpoint to the musical intensity, while Suffocation proved that extreme heat couldn’t dampen their legendary performance – highlighted when a Jesus cosplayer appeared during “Jesus Wept.”

Sepultura closed the pool deck with headliner authority, delivering classics like “Refuse/Resist” and “Territory” under proper festival lighting that finally made the cruise feel like a massive festival, for those who sought that. Vocalist Derrick Green commanded the crowd with obvious amazement at what he was witnessing, ending the outdoor stages on a triumphant note as wet and windy conditions signaled the approaching return to land.

Candlemass demonstrated that doom metal legends age like fine wine, taking their time with thunderous, methodical precision that had the crowd hanging on every note. Their performance of classics like “Solitude” proved why they remain titans of the genre, with the vocalist’s admission that “it takes time for old men” adding endearing humor to their crushing sonic weight.

The evening’s crown jewel belonged to Ihsahn at the Royal Theater, delivering a performance that was both majestic and brutal in equal measure. His blend of progressive sophistication and black metal intensity, highlighted by tracks like “Pilgrimage to Oblivion” and “The Distance Between Us,” showcased why he remains one of metal’s most innovative artists.

The Intimate Festival Experience

What sets 70000Tons apart from land-based festivals is its unique intimate festival experience. Arcade game competitions between Powerglove and Super Monster Party, meet-and-greets, and the sight of fans casually encountering their heroes at breakfast created bonds impossible at traditional festivals. The ship’s captain Andy Piller, affectionately calling attendees “survivors and family,” received rousing applause that spoke to the genuine community formed over these four days.

70000Tons of Metal succeeds by embracing the escapist, unserious and the serious aspects of metal culture. From Emperor’s professional black metal mastery to Trollfest’s pink flamingo antics, from intimate ice rink performances to pool deck headlining sets, the festival created a unique ecosystem where metal’s diversity could flourish. The combination of multiple daily performances, costume contests, and the simple joy of headbanging while surrounded by ocean created an experience that traditional festivals simply cannot match.

Power metal and folk metal had a soft spot at the festival this year, but next year, things are already shaping up differently. Bands announced for 70000Tons of Metal—taking place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, 2026 and traveling from Miami to Nassau in the Bahamas and back—include Anthrax, Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork, Eluveitie, Wolf, Kamelot, Insomnium, Skeletal Remains and more.

For metalheads seeking something beyond the standard festival format and if you feel like you’ve seen plenty from packed European summer festivals and the few we have in India, 70000Tons offers a floating paradise where the music never stops, the community never sleeps, and the memories last far beyond the final port of call.