70000TONS OF METAL, the original, the biggest heavy metal cruise, is back for 2026 with another incredible lineup

A woman crowdsurfing over people in a pool
(Image credit: Mihaela Petrescu)

15 years since its maiden voyage, the legendary 70000TONS OF METAL cruise is back for 2026 with another blockbuster lineup for a four-day heavy metal experience unlike any other on Earth. Setting sail on the Royal Carribbean’s luxury cruise ship Freedom Of The Sea on January 29 from Miami, Florida to the stunning location of Nassau in the Bahamas, 70000TONS OF METAL features one of next year’s best metal lineups, with 60 artists set to play and each band playing two sets each.

That’s 120 sets of metal! Plus the cruise comes with many unforgettable experiences (more on that in a second…) and the very best atmosphere on the ocean - or possibly at any metal festival in the world!

As well as a stacked bill including Anthrax, Amorphis, Beast In Black, Dark Tranquillity, Eluveitie, Firewind, Gama Bomb, Insomnium, Rhapsody Of Fire, Satan, Soilwork, Vader, Wolf and many, many more, 70000TONS OF METAL also includes a ton of fun activities taking place on board, from karaoke sessions (watch out for some of your favourite artists taking part!), all-star jams, musician clinics and workshops, exclusive meet-and-greets, shore excursions and a whole lot else.There is no VIP section, meaning everyone is in it together, from fans to bands and beyond.

The Freedom Of The Sea will be decked out with four special stages: the five-story Royal Theater, the Star Lounge, Studio B, the Ice Skating Rink and the Pool Deck - and yes, the pools are open all weekend, surrounded by bars, sunbathing areas and hot tubs! All that plus stunning views, lovely people, the chance to visit exotic locations in the most unusual and exciting of circumstances and 24 hour bars. What’s not to love?

Whether you’re a 70000TONS OF METAL ‘survivor’ (AKA you’ve sailed with the festival before) or yet to get your sea legs, there’s never been a better time to jump onboard and take part in one of the most truly individual concert experiences - and holiday experiences - in all of metal.

Public ticket sales open on Tuesday, August 19 at 12pm EDT/ 6pm CET, so snap up yours while you can and come join the fun for a true heavy metal adventure on the high seas.

Find full details and book your tickets at book70000tons.com, and check out the full announced lineup so far for 70000TONS OF METAL 2026 below.

70000TONS OF METAL 2025: Day 4 Recap on 70000TONS.tv - YouTube 70000TONS OF METAL 2025: Day 4 Recap on 70000TONS.tv - YouTube
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70000TONS OF METAL lineup 2026 (more TBA)

Amorphis

Anthrax

Beast In Black

Dark Tranquility

Dødheimsgard

Dust Bolt

Eluveitie

Ereb Altor

Firewind

Gama Bomb

Groza

Haggard

Harakiri For The Sky

Heathen

Hiraes

Hirax

Hour of Penance

Illdisposed

In Mourning

Insomnium

Kamelot

Orden Ogan

Persefone

Rhapsody f Fire

Satan

Saturnus

Seven Spires

Skeletal Remains

Skyclad

Soen

Soilwork

Suidakra

TÝR

Vader

Vio-Lence

Wind Rose

Wolf

Xandria

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