LAMB OF GOD’s Headbangers Boat 2024

I had the pleasure of attending the second voyage of Lamb of God‘s Headbangers Boat this previous week. We set sail from Miami, FL to Puerto Playa, DR on the Norwegian Gem cruise ship. With the assistance of Sixthman Music Festivals, this magnificent journey was in a position to happen once more, giving followers from all around the world 4 days of one of the best music on the planet, continuous enjoyable and reminiscences to final. That is actually a metalhead’s paradise. If being on a heavy steel cruise wasn’t wild sufficient, the place else can one go from taking part in blackjack with Lamb of God to a battle vest contest to consuming mai tais with Unearth? Merely put, Headbangers Boat is one thing that I hope each one that loves this style can expertise not less than as soon as of their life.

As at all times, Lamb places collectively a hell of a invoice. They performed two ragers themselves, one career-spanning set and the second, Ashes Of The Wake in full. Plus a reside debut of the Japanese bonus monitor, “One other Nail For Your Coffin”. Dethklok, Chimaira, Poison The Well, Carcass, Soulfly, Exodus, Napalm Death, Corrosion of Conformity, Currents, Bleeding Through, Unearth, Eyehategod, Frozen Soul and UnityTX stuffed the remainder of the week with ripping performances.

There is no such thing as a approach this cruise would have run so easily with out the outstanding crew from Norwegian Cruise Line. Each single individual I encountered had a smile on their face when answering the only of questions or making daquiri after daquiri for the very thirsty passengers aboard. NCL made the whole lot so snug and welcoming. The Sixthman group ran the manufacturing side of the cruise with out flaw. Regardless of some excessive winds that brought about inevitable schedule and venue adjustments, each band was in a position to ship to the fullest each single time. Sixthman additionally went out of their approach to make me really feel like royalty! Their hospitality is not going to be forgotten. Thanks all so very a lot.

Day 1

Regardless of this being my first cruise ever and having no concept what to anticipate, boarding the ship was a seamless course of. And to search out that I’ve a wide ranging balcony view on Deck 10? That is good. Naturally the primary order of enterprise is to get a frozen margarita on the Pool Deck and take all of this in earlier than leaving the Port of Miami. Lamb of God start the week with an on-stage toast and thanks for attending. The power is already at full mast and the boat is simply now pulling away.

Exodus kicks off the journey on a windy major stage, ensuring the cruise was off to an impeccable begin. It wasn’t straightforward to decide on the subsequent band to see, as three unimaginable acts performed concurrently. I opted to take a look at Currents, one of the best of this new period of metalcore. Needed to watch some Dethklok for the primary time earlier than working again upstairs to see Unearth‘s first set on the boat, which they clearly demolished. Having seen them many instances, they by no means disappoint. I adopted up with one other first, Chimaira. I had been wanting to see them for fairly a while. It was a protracted and thrilling day, ending with drinks with some super pals, plenty of laughs and a rush of adrenaline for what extra was to come back.

Day 2

Loads of nice actions started the day from Espresso with Lamb of God‘s Willie Adler to Brandon Schieppati‘s Mosh Pit Boot Camp. The cruise was nicely paced in order to not overwhelm with choices too early within the day (or to wield off potential hangovers from the earlier evening). I used to be thrilled to attend the Q&A with Mark Morton, hosted by Riki Rachtman. They spoke in depth in regards to the inside workings of Lamb of God, songwriting and a few extra private accords featured in Mark’s guide launched this summer season, Desolation: A Heavy Steel Memoir. A extremely really useful learn, if you have not already.

Napalm Dying destroyed the Pool Deck with a nice shock of Randy Blythe becoming a member of them on stage. Lamb performed their first set of two that evening, a pleasant mixture of outdated and new, heavy on the Sacrament period. This place exploded for them. It is no surprise why this band is as essential as they’re, they deserve each ounce of success they’ve achieved over time. It was crucial to take a look at the very delayed Unearth set not lengthy after grabbing some incredible sushi from Orchid Backyard. One other late evening closed out with some deliciously fried meals that hits so nicely after midnight and a day of debauchery.

Day 3

We woke as much as the boat docked at our single cease on the cruise, Puerto Playa. Though the climate might have been a bit kinder, it was pretty to stroll across the resort, nonetheless in awe at the truth that a Lamb of God cruise introduced me right here. The resort supplied tons of actions and excursions. Randy led an off-site seashore clean-up with followers, whereas others selected to discover Monkey Island. I loved a mojito whereas sitting by the lazy river. Hoping to get a bit of additional time to prepare for tonight’s exhibits, I returned to the boat early which conveniently coincided with some rain coming by. It was Lamb of God‘s closing set of the cruise, they usually graced us with Ashes Of The Wake in its entirety. A lot much less wind-blown from their first set, they had been unstoppable. A nasty present and Lamb of God might by no means be in the identical sentence. I caught some terrific bands this evening, Poison The Effectively, Frozen Soul, UnityTX and Carcass to call a few of the highlights.

Day 4

Actually, it was a bit of bittersweet waking up on the final day, nonetheless it was Halloween and one of the best ways to shut out this unbelievable week. Followers and artists each dressed as much as have a good time. I had a soothing morning sitting on the aft deck searching into the gorgeous ocean reflecting on this steel escapade. I used to be thrilled to lastly see some Eyehategod and Corrosion of Conformity. That was actually the one drawback with this entire occasion, there’s simply an excessive amount of rattling good music to listen to and also you’re just one individual. After a Halloween costume contest, I went again to see some extra Dethklok and Bleeding By way of. I wrapped up the evening watching Chimaira and enthusiastic karaoke performances solely to get up the next day to return to land.

Headbangers Boat is like nothing I’ve ever skilled in all my years of attending exhibits and festivals. To be part of it was nothing wanting an honor. I’m so privileged to have had this time on the boat shared with pals, new and outdated, surrounded by the music that I really like and a group that sticks collectively. I firmly consider that each single individual on the cruise will do nothing however smile when reminiscing on these 4 days at sea. I consider I can communicate for everybody by saying subsequent 12 months is already too distant.