"It is with great sadness that we have received the disheartening update that Legion Of The Damned will not be able to join us on 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024 due to their inability to enter the United States," reads an update from cruise organizers. "Nevertheless, we are sparing no effort in our quest to create a miraculous alternative, as we strive to find a replacement and deliver an exceptional event for everyone involved."

Legion Of The Damned issued their own statement, dated January 28th, which reads: "We have some dissapointing news to send out. Legion Of The Damned has been unable to enter the US due to the fact that a member of the band was in Cuba for 15 min during transfer flight to Mexico in 2021. He was not even out of the plane. His ESTA was approved but this popped up. Because its Sunday we are unable to fix something, taking a flight tomorrow will result in not making it to the boat in time. So sadly enough we are flying back to Dusseldorf right now after spending the entire day on London Heathrow Airport! We are deeply sorry and we hope for the best and see you maybe on 70000 Tons Of Metal in 2025."

The 2024 edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal festival will sail on January 29 to February 2, 2024 from Miami, Florida - Cruise Capital of the World - to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back, on board the luxury passenger vessel Freedom of the Seas. The festival will once again host 60 heavy metal bands spanning all sub-genres and welcome 3,000 metalheads from around the world.

Those bands include: Aborted, Angra, Arion, Before The Dawn, Blind Guardian, Blood Red Throne, Carnation, Crypta, Dalriada, Décembre Noir, Depressive Age, Dynazty, Edenbridge, Einherjer, Endseeker, Equilibrium, Epica, Fleshcrawl, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Grave Digger, Infected Rain, Iotunn, The Halo Effect, Kataklysm, Leaves’ Eyes, Monstrosity, My Dying Bride, Mystic Prophecy, Nanowar Of Steel, Nervosa, Omnium Gatherum, Rising Steel, Saor, Scar Symmetry, Serenity, Shores Of Null, Sodom, Temperance, Threshold, Thyrfing, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Unleashed, Victory and Warkings.

Freedom of the Seas, a Freedom class cruise ship, offers a host of amenities and complimentary dining options. Guests will also enjoy unrestricted festival access to all 120+ performances across four stages: The Royal Theater is a five-storied concert hall. The more intimate Star Lounge offers the local club vibe. A third indoor stage, Studio B, provides an arena-like atmosphere. Lastly, but most notable, the Pool Deck Stage: The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage structure to sail the Open Seas. This colossal stage is surrounded by bars, plenty of room to sunbathe and even hot tubs incorporated into the stage itself, offering guests the unique opportunity to watch their favorite metal bands from the comfort of a hot tub.

The ship will sail to Puerto Plata - the Dominican Republic's oldest city in the north and the pioneer of tourism in the country. The city is famous for Parque Independencia, the “Central Park” of Puerto Plata and a popular meeting point. Take a cable car to the top of “Monte Isabel de Torres”, a peak rising 2,600 feet above sea level. Swim and snorkel at Sosua beach and then grab some lunch or a beverage at one of the many nearby restaurants and bars. Try some local fare with a bowl of la Bandera: a meat stew with rice, beans, and fried plantains or a saucy Pescado con coco (fish in coconut sauce).

La Casa de la Cultura is a three-story Victorian house that features local arts exhibits, a contemporary art gallery, library and store with local goods for sale. Find yourself some of the oldest, most translucent amber in the world, which Puerto Plata is famous for.

As the festival organizers continually strive to innovate and improve the Heavy Metal Festival Experience for their guests and their surroundings, festivalgoers will once again have the option to purchase a Carbon Offset when booking their Private Cabin or Single Ticket for 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024. For the eleventh voyage of 70000 Tons Of Metal in 2023, nearly 15% of their customers chose to purchase the additional Carbon Offset. The funds contributed through the Carbon Offset Program went to Greentripper's Improved Cookstoves in Ghana project.

Visit 70000tons.com for more information and watch their social media pages @70000tons for additional announcements.

70000 Tons Of Metal is The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise.

With ten consecutive sellouts since the inaugural voyage in 2011, this extraordinary and unique floating festival now sails on board some of the largest luxury passenger vessels in the world. Featuring 60 world-class Heavy Metal bands from around the globe performing across four stages, 70000 Tons Of Metal is home to The World's Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to sail the Open Seas.

Guests can enjoy the Heavy Metal festival experience of a lifetime with all the benefits that a cruise has to offer: complimentary fine dining, bars that never close, 24-hour room service, as well as the ship’s many amenities.

This four-day Heavy Metal Music Festival and Caribbean vacation offers 3,000 metalheads the amazing opportunity to mingle side-by-side with all of the bands on board. With no VIP areas it truly is like everyone has a backstage pass. Not only do guests have unrestricted festival access to 120+ live performances (all bands play twice), every ticket also includes meet & greets with every band, intimate masterclasses with select musicians and exclusive live & listening premieres. Guests also have full access to the “Jamming in International Waters All Star Jam” - a one-of-a-kind jam session featuring a host of musical virtuosos performing classic metal songs together on stage.  

Festivalgoers also have the special opportunity to explore a Caribbean dream destination with their favorite band members on an “Artist Escorted Shore Excursion”, another 70000 Tons Of Metal exclusive.

For more details about 70000 Tons Of Metal 2024, including FAQs, vessel amenities and contact information, please visit 70000tons.com.

Guests and fans are also invited to join the 70000 Tons Of Metal community on The 70000 Tons Of Metal Official Forum, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Telegram, and Spotify: @70000tons