Once they’ve started, it seems like nothing can stop them – that’s something fans love about 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, and it’s also what makes the time between the very first announcement and the actual event so special and exciting for them every year. Just days after the news that Zak Stevens’ new project Archon Angel will play live for the first time ever on board of the Independence of the Seas, the Skipper and his crew didn’t keep their Sailors waiting long before revealing the next highlight for the 3,000 lucky Metalheads.
Today, 70000TONS OF METAL, is deeply honored and humbled to have the opportunity to host a legendary figure in the history of Metal guitar on board #RoundX: They welcome the distinguished Michael Schenker, alongside his entourage in MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST, aboard for 2020! And as 70000TONS OF METAL has also gotten used to writing Heavy Metal History, the crew is ready to do it once again with this venerated superstar by commemorating Michael Schenker’s Official 50th Recording Anniversary on The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise.
The one and only original Mad Axeman, the triumphant genius of 6 strings, will be joined by a very special compliment of musicians:
Gary Barden (Vocals)
Robin McAuley (Vocals)
Doogie White (Vocals)
Chris Glen (Bass)
Steve Mann (2nd Guitar / Keyboards)
Bodo Schopf (Drums)
Sailors will be completely mesmerized by their Two Unique Headlining Performances. However, that is not all! Michael Schenker will celebrate his 65th birthday on board while sailing from Miami / Ft. Lauderdale to beautiful Cozumel, Mexico and back, alongside 3,000 Metal fans from over 70 different countries across the globe. This is 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, The United Nations of Heavy Metal at Sea!
A spectacle of this magnitude is absolutely not to be missed – so make sure you join this exciting voyage from January 7th to 11th, 2020, sailing on the Independence of the Seas!
Don’t miss the boat! Visit 70000tons.com to book your cabin before they’re gone.
Whoever has been following 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, over the past 9 years, does not only know that it is much more than just another festival at sea. They will also know that one of the things that make it such a unique once in a lifetime event is that even now, only 2 months before the Independence Of The Seas will take 3000 metalheads and 60 world class heavy metal bands from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Cozumel, Mexico, from January 7th to 11th, for Round X, the Skipper and his crew always manage to surprise fans with specials – including one time performances, album and band anniversaries, unexpected jam band constellations, and other premieres exclusively happening on board.
After recent additions such as Devin Townsend and Sortilège to the line-up that already features names like Emperor, Epica and Wintersun, 70000 TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, is excited to announce another world premiere event on board, namely the very first live show by Zak Stevens’ new project ARCHON ANGEL. The band’s debut album Fallen will be released in early 2020 on Frontiers Music, with a music video for the title track and pre-orders for the album launching on December 4, 2019.
Don’t miss the boat! Visit 70000tons.com to book your cabin before they’re gone.
About ARCHON ANGEL
Archon Angel’s inception goes back to a meeting between producer/guitarist Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere) and former Savatage and Circle II Circle vocalist Zak Stevens, who is also a key performer in Trans-Siberian Orchestra. After immediately finding common creative grounds, Aldo submitted to Zak some song ideas which were reminiscent of the classic Savatage sound of records such as Edge Of Thorns and Gutter Ballet. The two felt the magic was there, so no time was wasted in getting together to craft an absolutely striking metal album.
Zak Stevens remembers the inception of Archon Angel quite vividly: “Aldo was producing the ‘Return to Eden’ (Timo Tolkki’s Avalon) album and that’s how we originally met in 2018. He contacted me by email and together we chose the two songs I would be singing on. Right away, it was super easy working with Aldo and we thought very much alike as far as music and production are concerned. And now, here we are today as bandmates in Archon Angel and playing together on the debut album, ‘Fallen’!”
“For Archon Angel, we pretty much started all the songs from scratch,” continues Zak. “Aldo had quite a few songs demoed to get things started with and we just went from there. He’s an amazing guitarist and I was more than impressed with everything he did. From there, everyone got involved. The band guys in Italy (Aldo – Guitars, Marco Lazzarini – Drums, and Antonio Agate – Keys) and in France (my old friend Yves Campion from the band Nightmare on bass) helped Aldo with the instrumentation. I worked on vocal melodies with Aldo, along with my wife Katherine, who is a very creative writer in her own right. She helped Aldo and I with some amazing lyrical contributions and with the overall concept stuff for the album.”
“Zak had a huge impact on my musical background: he has a unique vocal tone and the milestone albums he recorded with Savatage are among my all time favourite albums,” adds Aldo. “When Frontiers Records gave me the chance to work with him during the production of ‘Return To Eden’ I was very excited and everything has been super easy. I am very proud of the music we wrote together and we are a great team, stay tuned for more news!”
In the songwriting department, some of the most outstanding writers and musicians from the Italian Rock scene couldn’t help but pitch in, including Simone Mularoni (of DGM and Sweet Oblivion) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge of Forever, Jorn, Hardline, etc.).
The album itself deals with a central character, the “Archon”, who is a modern day angel figure. The idea goes back to the religious system of Gnosticism with the difference that in this instance, the Archon’s story is immersed into modern-day times. The Archon is a medium who brings messages to God (Demiurge) from the people of Earth. The tale that the album tells is one that follows the story and life and times of the modern-day Archon, as he is called upon to protect the people of Earth through frightening, turbulent times.
While Archon Angel are currently preparing to tour the world, one thing is safe: It will all start here – making their appearance aboard the 70000 TONS OF METAL the kick-off for a truly unique experience!
Lineup:
Vocals: Zak Stevens
Guitars: Aldo Lonobile
Bass: Yves Campion
Drums: Marco Lazzarini
Keyboards & Piano (Studio): Antonio Agate
If you follow 70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, on social media, you may have noticed that they are notorious for using the term ‘SOON’ when it comes to their festival announcements. This year, they really stretched the meaning of ‘SOON’, with fans waiting in anticipation for the line up and sale dates. Well, the new ‘SOON’ is NOW …
The phrase “coming home” always has some emotional elements attached to it. Since 2011, for thousands of Metalheads, it means joining the 70000TONS OF METAL cruise, sailing out of South Florida, USA. It’s where they meet their Heavy Metal family and make new friends when the United Nations of Heavy Metal reunites every year. In 2020, “coming home” will have another meaning to go with it, as Round 10 of 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise will bring Sailors to Cozumel, Mexico, the original Port of Call back in 2011.
70000TONS OF METAL has just announced the first 10 of 60 bands as well as pre-sale start dates for 70000TONS OF METAL Survivors (festival goers who have attended the event before) for Round 10, sailing from January 7 to January 11, 2020.
Pre-sales for Gold Survivors (those who have attended at least three times before) and Silver Survivors (those who have attended at least once before) have already started. The Public Sales start at 12:00 PM EDT on Saturday, October 26, 2019. Check out 70000tons.com for more information.
The first 10 of 60 bands that have been announced are:
Survivors and first-time sailors will headbang their way on board the 154,000+ ton luxury cruise ship, the Independence of the Seas, from Miami / Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the beautiful island of Cozumel, Mexico and back. Sailors will be joined by 60 world-class Heavy Metal bands, performing 120+ shows over 4 nights. Only 3000 tickets will be sold.
Pre-Sales are currently underway for their Survivors who have previously sailed on board 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise. Public Sales are slated to start on Tuesday August 16, 2016 at 3PM EDT / 9PM CEST. Mark down the date and time in your calendar as they have sold out the previous six consecutive sailings to sailors from over 70 different countries! Don’t miss the boat, book your cabin as soon as the gates open!
70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise offers Metalheads a life-changing experience in an incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. Boasting the biggest Open Air Stage structure to ever sail the Open Seas, 70000TONS OF METAL gives Sailors unrestricted festival access to all 120 live shows by 60 unique Artists on board. Not only that, throw in Meet & Greets with every Artist, exclusive Art Exhibits and Artist Clinics and the infamous JAMMING WITH WATERS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, the official 70000TONS OF METAL All Star Jam hosted by ANNIHILATOR’s Jeff Waters. Everyone sailing is a VIP, they spare no expense to remove seating in the theatre so that fans can create a mosh pit at sea (this is a Heavy Metal Cruise after all), and most importantly… there are bars that never close – you heard that right, bars that never close!
Round 7 Sails to Labadee
70000TONS OF METAL will sail February 2 – 6, 2017 onboard Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Independence Of The Seas which will be leaving from Ft.Lauderdale, Florida to an all new Caribbean dream destination: Labadee, situated on the northern coast of Haiti, featuring pristine beaches, coral reefs and lagoon-like bays surrounded by forested mountains. Soar over the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest zip line over water!
Propel down the 300 foot long waterslides, get your adrenaline fix on the Dragon’s Tail Roller Coaster, cool off in the Arawak Aqua Park, or kick back and relax at the cabanas on Nellie’s Beach.
There’s no shortage of shore activities here! Don’t miss out on your chance to explore this Caribbean dream destination with your favorite Artists! Check out official video footage of excursions available at Labadee here:
#SuperMetalSunday
Sunday February 5, 2017 is #SuperMetalSunday! Start off the best Sunday of the year with Heavy Metal bands from around the globe playing concerts on 4 different stages. Think you can make a splash? Participate in the infamous
70000TONS Belly Flop Contest which is judged by a panel of Artists! Witness Heavy Metal history in the making with JAMMING WITH WATERS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS – the official 70000TONS OF METAL All Star Jam. Don’t forget your jerseys because the NFL Championship Game will also be screened on board! Not enough action for you? Throw in multiple workshops and Artist Clinics, and end the cruise with 70000TONS OF KARAOKE for a final sing along until the sun rises!
60 Bands Representing Every Genre Of Metal!
Every Artist on board 70000TONS OF METAL 2017 will play two shows – once on the way to Labadee, and once on the way back to Florida, presenting fans with the opportunity to see 120 shows, including some exclusive performances.
The following 32 of 60 bands have been announced for Round 7:
AMARANTHE
AMORPHIS
ANNIHILATOR
ANTHRAX
ARCH ENEMY
CRUACHAN
DEATH ANGEL
DEVILDRIVER
DRACONIAN
DYING FETUS
EQUILIBRIUM
GRAVE DIGGER
HAGGARD
KALMAH
KAMELOT
MOONSORROW
NILE
OMNIUM GATHERUM
ORDAN OGAN
ORPHANED LAND
POWERGLOVE
REVOCATION
SALTATIO MORTIS
SERENITY
STAM1NA
STUCK MOJO
SUFFOCATION
TESTAMENT
THERION
ULI JON ROTH
UNLEASHED
XANDRIA
70000TONS.tv has uploaded video footage of hi jinx in the 70000TONS OF METAL VIP Lounge at this year’s Heavy Montreal festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Check it out below.
The 2 Minute clip includes an inpromptu wrestling match between BLACKGUARD vocalist Paul Ablaze and Kim Dylla (Vulvatron, ex-GWAR); and ABBATH frontman Olve Eikemo (a.k.a. Abbath) making his entrance into the hot tub, which was made available to 70000TONS OF METAL Survivors who won VIP upgrades via social media contest.
70000TONS OF METAL is The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise – 60 Metal Bands play 120 Shows for only 3000 Fans on one 154,000ton Cruise Ship sailing from Florida to Jamaica on board the Independence of the Seas, leaving from Port Everglades, FL on Thursday, February 4th 2016 and returning on Monday, February 8th.
The first 30 confirmed acts for 70000TONS OF METAL 2016 are:
ANCIENT RITES
AT THE GATES
AURA NOIR
BELPHEGOR
CARACH ANGREN
CHILDREN OF BODOM
CRADLE OF FILTH
DELAIN
DRAGONFORCE
EPICA
FIREWIND
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE
GAMMA RAY
HAMMERFALL
HOLY MOSES
ICED EARTH
INSOMNIUM
LACUNA COIL
MANILLA ROAD
MOONSPELL
MY DYING BRIDE
RHAPSODY OF FIRE
ROTTING CHRIST
SAMAEL
SODOM
THYRFING
TSJUDER
TURISAS
TYR
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS
Ticket prices start at USD $666 per person (plus taxes and fees), which includes all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, most on-board restaurants and even 24-hour room service.
70000 Tons Of Metal has announced the new confirmed bands to the Line-Up 2014:
Just in case you ended up having a couple of silent nights, there will be some loud ones to come: We are proud to welcome HAGGARD, THE CHURCH OF PUNGENT STENCH, IZEGRIM and VICIOUS RUMORS on board 70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise! For one of their two shows VICIOUS RUMORS will do something they have never done live: They will play DIGITAL DICTATOR in its entirety! Any more hidden gifts before the year is out? Maybe some Fireworks?
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 