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 everywhere in the world 4 days of the most effective music on the planet, continuous enjoyable and recollections to final. That is really 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 at the least as soon as of their life.
As all the time, 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 dwell 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 crammed the remainder of the week with ripping performances.
There isn’t a approach this cruise would have run so easily with out the exceptional 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 every part so snug and welcoming. The Sixthman workforce ran the manufacturing facet of the cruise with out flaw. Regardless of some excessive winds that triggered 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 strategy 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 thought what to anticipate, boarding the ship was a seamless course of. And to seek out that I’ve a panoramic 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 begin 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 principal stage, ensuring the cruise was off to an impeccable begin. It wasn’t simple to decide on the subsequent band to see, as three unbelievable acts performed concurrently. I opted to take a look at Currents, the most effective 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 occasions, 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 an extended and thrilling day, ending with drinks with some great mates, a lot of laughs and a rush of adrenaline for what extra was to return.
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 properly 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 interior workings of Lamb of God, songwriting and a few extra private accords featured in Mark’s e book launched this summer time, Desolation: A Heavy Metallic Memoir. A extremely really helpful learn, if you have not already.
Napalm Loss of life 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 previous and new, heavy on the Sacrament period. This place exploded for them. It is no marvel why this band is as essential as they’re, they deserve each ounce of success they’ve achieved over time. It was vital 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 properly 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 may have been a bit kinder, it was beautiful 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 just a little further time to prepare for tonight’s reveals, I returned to the boat early which conveniently coincided with some rain coming via. It was Lamb of God‘s ultimate set of the cruise, and so they graced us with Ashes Of The Wake in its entirety. A lot much less wind-blown from their first set, they have been unstoppable. A foul present and Lamb of God may by no means be in the identical sentence. I caught some terrific bands this evening, Poison The Nicely, Frozen Soul, UnityTX and Carcass to call a few of the highlights.
Day 4
Truthfully, it was just a little 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 fun. I had a calming morning sitting on the aft deck looking 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 downside with this complete 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 reveals and festivals. To be part of it was nothing in need of an honor. I’m so privileged to have had this time on the boat shared with mates, new and previous, surrounded by the music that I like and a neighborhood 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 converse for everybody by saying subsequent 12 months is already too far-off.
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