[bodomdragon]

I really don't see him changing the way bands are announced:

And like in previous years, Piller and company plan on waiting until the waning months of the year to announce the rest of the roster.
(“We create a little bit of anticipation, dragging it out a little bit. It’s one our trademarks.”)

"Dragging it out a little bit."

Dragging it out a little bit. Yeah of course. Maybe it's time he realizes that what he creates is not exactly anticipation. We need time to discover the bands onbroad and I think this has been stated like a thousand times before. Does he even listen to his customers?

[Razor Ramon]

I didn't drop three grand because I want to discover bands, I paid to see bands I already love. I can discover new shit sitting on my ass at home.

[Mr.Kito]

We need time to discover the bands onbroad

we have 3 bands with apparently obvious tips, Sonata Arctica, Wintersun ("the arctic winter" tip from the finnish scouting party) and Pretty Maids ("looking for pretty ladies" tip from the dannish scouting party). If the bands are right, why no just announce them already?

[Azazel101]

We need time to discover the bands onbroad

we have 3 bands with apparently obvious tips, Sonata Arctica, Wintersun ("the arctic winter" tip from the finnish scouting party) and Pretty Maids ("looking for pretty ladies" tip from the dannish scouting party). If the bands are right, why no just announce them already?

If he announced everything right away then he could not have fun with it.
you are not a puppet master when their are no strings to be pulled
besides, if the Finnish tip is even leading in that exact direction, it could be either one or both. still just guessing their

[MikeB]

I heard Wintersun won’t do the cruise because they ask too much money. I haven’t heard an official statement about this, but it’s a big disappointment if that’s true.

[AmelieM]

I heard Wintersun won’t do the cruise because they ask too much money. I haven’t heard an official statement about this, but it’s a big disappointment if that’s true.

Hummm... Where did you hear that? Wintersun aren't that big, I don't think they'd ask that much money?

[bodomdragon]

I didn't drop three grand because I want to discover bands, I paid to see bands I already love. I can discover new shit sitting on my ass at home.

Good for you. But that doesn't work for me. I want to give a chance to each and every band that is onbroad. Thanks to being confirmed with enough time, I had the chance to discover Threshold and Heathen and now I'm SO looking forward to their concerts. If they had been announced one week prior to departing I would have most likely not paid enough attention to them and thus not enjoyed the concerts as much as I will now.

[MikeB]

I heard Wintersun won’t do the cruise because they ask too much money. I haven’t heard an official statement about this, but it’s a big disappointment if that’s true.

Hummm... Where did you hear that? Wintersun aren't that big, I don't think they'd ask that much money?

Facebook, the picture with Chris Rörland and Ted Lundström at the Scanner bar, right after your last comment.
I too think they should not ask much since they aren't that big, and any money / show would be good to fund Jari's future studio. They should not turn their back on that opportunity, IMO.

[AmelieM]

Facebook, the picture with Chris Rörland and Ted Lundström at the Scanner bar, right after your last comment.

Oh, okay! I saw that, but I still don't know where the info comes from... I believe it when the info comes straight from the band, but I don't believe someone saying "apparently they ask too much" ... or "apparently Andy doesn't like them".

[MikeB]

Facebook, the picture with Chris Rörland and Ted Lundström at the Scanner bar, right after your last comment.

Oh, okay! I saw that, but I still don't know where the info comes from... I believe it when the info comes straight from the band, but I don't believe someone saying "apparently they ask too much" ... or "apparently Andy doesn't like them".

I'm not 100% convinced either, that's why I said "I haven’t heard an official statement about this". Let's just hope that it's wrong.

[Mr.Kito]

I heard Wintersun won’t do the cruise because they ask too much money. I haven’t heard an official statement about this, but it’s a big disappointment if that’s true.

Hummm... Where did you hear that? Wintersun aren't that big, I don't think they'd ask that much money?

i heard of smaller bands who won't do 70k for the same reason..

the thing is "much" is relative. Wintersun probably just want more than what Andy wants to pay... and that doesn't mean the band is asking "too much" they are probably just not asking "as little" as UMC wants.

[deathmetalpat]

I heard Wintersun won’t do the cruise because they ask too much money. I haven’t heard an official statement about this, but it’s a big disappointment if that’s true.

Hummm... Where did you hear that? Wintersun aren't that big, I don't think they'd ask that much money?

i heard of smaller bands who won't do 70k for the same reason..

the thing is "much" is relative. Wintersun probably just want more than what Andy wants to pay... and that doesn't mean the band is asking "too much" they are probably just not asking "as little" as UMC wants.

That is true but if Wintersun finds out about this on the Liberty, http://www.beyondships.com/images/2s_sauna13.jpg ,they might book !

[Memnoch]

Does he even listen to his customers?

Well, he went out of his way to secure as many indoor smoking venues as possible:

We have received a lot of questions about where you can smoke on board. The Skipper has been working hard to get us as many smoking areas as possible. If you are sailing with us in 2015 make sure that you are aware that Smoking is permitted outside on Decks 4, 11 (including the Solarium), and 12. We also have some designated smoking areas inside: CASINO ROYALE on Deck 4 and the CONNOISSEUR CLUB on Deck 5.

And all this effort even when no-one asked him to do that. It makes sense that when everyone wants band announcements, Andy goes out of his way to not announce them. That's how you build anticipation.

[Dundee]

Good for you. But that doesn't work for me. I want to give a chance to each and every band that is onbroad. Thanks to being confirmed with enough time, I had the chance to discover Threshold and Heathen and now I'm SO looking forward to their concerts. If they had been announced one week prior to departing I would have most likely not paid enough attention to them and thus not enjoyed the concerts as much as I will now.

Couldn't have said it better.

[cowboy71]

Does he even listen to his customers?

Well, he went out of his way to secure as many indoor smoking venues as possible:

We have received a lot of questions about where you can smoke on board. The Skipper has been working hard to get us as many smoking areas as possible. If you are sailing with us in 2015 make sure that you are aware that Smoking is permitted outside on Decks 4, 11 (including the Solarium), and 12. We also have some designated smoking areas inside: CASINO ROYALE on Deck 4 and the CONNOISSEUR CLUB on Deck 5.

And all this effort even when no-one asked him to do that. It makes sense that when everyone wants band announcements, Andy goes out of his way to not announce them. That's how you build anticipation.

The skipper is a smoker. That's the main reason he did this

[Memnoch]

Does that mean the real reason he announces (maybe even books) bands at the last minute is that he likes to be surprised by the lineup onbroad?

[Mr.Kito]

Good for you. But that doesn't work for me. I want to give a chance to each and every band that is onbroad. Thanks to being confirmed with enough time, I had the chance to discover Threshold and Heathen and now I'm SO looking forward to their concerts. If they had been announced one week prior to departing I would have most likely not paid enough attention to them and thus not enjoyed the concerts as much as I will now.

Couldn't have said it better.

Same happened to me this year, discovered some awesome bands that i am now a huge fan.

[Sgt. B]

Does that mean the real reason he announces (maybe even books) bands at the last minute is that he likes to be surprised by the lineup onbroad?

[doomguy]

In exactly 100 days you will be onbroad 70000TONS OF METAL 2015, sailing with 60 Metal Bands and 2999 other Metalheads from around the World on a 154,000ton Cruise Ship to Jamaica!

No one gives a fuck, I have a fucking calendar, I know when the cruise is. What we want to know is what the the fuck we paid to see. All these promises about how band announcements aren't going to be like last time are a bunch of shit.

What he promised is that there will be no 6 months of silence like last year, I think he had some personal/family issues or something. He also originally promised 40 bands on a boat (now 60) and never said anything about the frequency of band announcements. The last announcements were less than a month ago. So far he's delivered on all his promises, and creates what many consider to be the best vacation of the year.

[bodomdragon]

In exactly 100 days you will be onbroad 70000TONS OF METAL 2015, sailing with 60 Metal Bands and 2999 other Metalheads from around the World on a 154,000ton Cruise Ship to Jamaica!

No one gives a fuck, I have a fucking calendar, I know when the cruise is. What we want to know is what the the fuck we paid to see. All these promises about how band announcements aren't going to be like last time are a bunch of shit.

What he promised is that there will be no 6 months of silence like last year, I think he had some personal/family issues or something. He also originally promised 40 bands on a boat (now 60) and never said anything about the frequency of band announcements. The last announcements were less than a month ago. So far he's delivered on all his promises, and creates what many consider to be the best vacation of the year.

Nobody denies that the product he delivers is amazing, that he accomplishes his promises, and that the organization once we're on the boat is close to perfect. However, that doesn't mean that the WAY he delivers couldn't be much, much better. For instance, among other issues, "resurrecting" the tradition of virtually moving the boat accross different countries and recruiting bands is cool; doing so only for 5 days and 2 bands and then falling into a silence of 19 days (and counting) while we are "Sailing North Through The Øresund" is unprofessional and rather amateurish. People getting pissed is more than understandable. Don't start such "game" if you cannot make it till the end.

[doomguy]

No one gives a fuck, I have a fucking calendar, I know when the cruise is. What we want to know is what the the fuck we paid to see. All these promises about how band announcements aren't going to be like last time are a bunch of shit.

What he promised is that there will be no 6 months of silence like last year, I think he had some personal/family issues or something. He also originally promised 40 bands on a boat (now 60) and never said anything about the frequency of band announcements. The last announcements were less than a month ago. So far he's delivered on all his promises, and creates what many consider to be the best vacation of the year.

Nobody denies that the product he delivers is amazing, that he accomplishes his promises, and that the organization once we're on the boat is close to perfect. However, that doesn't mean that the WAY he delivers couldn't be much, much better. For instance, among other issues, "resurrecting" the tradition of virtually moving the boat accross different countries and recruiting bands is cool; doing so only for 5 days and 2 bands and then falling into a silence of 19 days (and counting) while we are "Sailing North Through The Øresund" is unprofessional and rather amateurish. People getting pissed is more than understandable. Don't start such "game" if you cannot make it till the end.

I know what you're saying, I was just replying to Mr. Angry about Andy making promises about announcements he hasn't kept. I'm just saying he never made such promises. When he started the cruise, all he promised was a quality festival with 40 bands on a boat, nothing else about how it's going to be organised or band announcements. And he has delivered every time. However, I do agree that the way he delivers it could be better, but I have no complaints because I know what to expect. Maybe my first year I was a little annoyed, but I've gotten used to it. Regarding the virtual boat, I don't recall there being any written rules about how fast it travels, after all, it is a virtual boat. What kind of boat is it, speed boat, dinghy, cruise ship? How many knots? The way I see it, it's not really understandable (to me) for people to get pissed, because you know what you're signing up for when you book (don't hate, just my opinion!) For me personally, I just book knowing that it's going to be an amazing time and all worth it, and I just let them get on with it and do their thing.

[FrenchMachoBoy]

Andy simply doesn't give a f**k about all; last year everybody was angry, and said "i will not book again", but the less expensive cabins went sold-out quickly.
I'm nearly sure 90% of angry people booked early, so this sutuation makes many words doubtful, and unbelievable in future.

The main problem for them might be to find bands that make people spend 2000$ to see, and even the motorheadcruise wasn't full, with such a consequent line-up.

In all the past years, this year (2014) was the first one where the pool scene was built on time, and also first time when the merchandise was being sold on time (remember the anouncements : 10am ? 10.30am ? 1pm ?) : meaning the organisation takes many time to improve.

For sure, we know the last bands will be something like 50% redits and 50% new.

[Mr.Kito]

No point in complaining after 2014 had everything to be a disaster and ended up being way better than expected.

But i'm really anxious for the next announcements... come on andy

[doomguy]

Andy simply doesn't give a f**k about all; last year everybody was angry, and said "i will not book again", but the less expensive cabins went sold-out quickly.
I'm nearly sure 90% of angry people booked early, so this sutuation makes many words doubtful, and unbelievable in future.

The main problem for them might be to find bands that make people spend 2000$ to see, and even the motorheadcruise wasn't full, with such a consequent line-up.

In all the past years, this year (2014) was the first one where the pool scene was built on time, and also first time when the merchandise was being sold on time (remember the anouncements : 10am ? 10.30am ? 1pm ?) : meaning the organisation takes many time to improve.

For sure, we know the last bands will be something like 50% redits and 50% new.

Aah, yeah I can understand that. Last years situation was handled rather unprofessionally. I think there was a bit of concern about the cruise going under, and some people quit? At least now they have regular updates, even if they're not bands, at least you know they're alive. As long as they keep going like this, I'll be happy. I can imagine the difficulties it must be to run a festival on land, let alone on a boat. A few problems, like you said such as merchandising and the pool deck stage, but overall I think they do a damn fine job to pull it off. Next year they have to integrate the stage into some hot tubs, so expect more delays.

No point in complaining after 2014 had everything to be a disaster and ended up being way better than expected.

But i'm really anxious for the next announcements... come on andy

That's what I'm saying. In the end you know we're all gonna have a blast. I do get anxious a little bit, but not in a negative way at all. I just look forward to the announcements, just to know if there's any more bands that interest me. But I don't care when they come, because I know they'll come... eventually!

[cowboy71]

And when the announcements do come, we know they are going to come in a rush.

29 bands to announce and only 98 days to announce them.

Which is actually about the same number we were waiting on at this time last year. For the 2014 cruise we had 27 bands announced from 9th November to 27th January.

[FrenchMachoBoy]

Yes sure, but this year we have 50% of the rooster left to be anounced. Last year it was ... 75%.

[Dutchguy-Tim]

i'm not worried at all.
andy will deliver, as always.

[Mr.Kito]

I do get anxious a little bit, but not in a negative way at all. I just look forward to the announcements, just to know if there's any more bands that interest me. I

Yeah! I'm trying to hold myself, i'm just really curious

And if there's bands I don't know, or know just a little bit to be announced, the sooner the better, cuz i'll be able to listen and decide if i want to see them or not, that happened last cruise with a few bands that I am now a huge fan!

So.. come oooon andy pleaaaaaaase

[Tono_Fyr]

As much as I'd like to know who else is playing, I had all the bands I needed to know by July this year... and the line up has continued to get even better. I'm excited to see Amorphis for the first time.

[cowboy71]

As much as I'd like to know who else is playing, I had all the bands I needed to know by July this year... and the line up has continued to get even better. I'm excited to see Amorphis for the first time.

Its not a bad lineup by any means, but I'm still waiting for one or two of my 'dream' bands that I've never seen.

Within Temptation, Battlelore, Civil War, Powerwolf, Van Canto, Running Wild, Unisonic, Ten, Pythia, Rhapsody of Fire

Any one of those bands on the lineup and I'd be 100% content.

[broegaard]

I am chilling this year. 2015 will be the best metal year for me and I am almost 47 years old....

Bands I will see for the first time that I REALLY REALLY want to see a live act:

Xentrix, Heathen, Threshold, Artillery, Falconer, Helker, Dynazty, Morgana Lefay, Royal Hunt, DC Cooper.(all bucket list bands)

Bands I will see for the first time that I want to see a live act:

Equilibrium, THerion, Tank, Primal Fear, Arch Enemy, BG, Apocalyptica

Bands I saw before and that I REALLY REALLY want to see a live act again:

Amorphis, In Extremo, Therion, Triosphere, Persefone, Voyager,Dragonland, Hibria, Angra, Grave Digger...

I have one or two spots for another festival in my vacation plans so if the organizer delays the annoucements to DEC/JAN I frankly don´t give a damn(kkkkkkk). I don´t think he can book 30 bands I never listened to....

[FrenchMachoBoy]

Just comparing with the blastfest, and crying ! But I'll be there !

[Razor Ramon]

2 days until cancellation deadline. I am sure this dude isn't going to announce a damn thing, this shit's giving me anxiety...

[deathmetalpat]

Despite coming under heavy fire, our second scouting party decided to stay ashore. 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise continued to sail north waiving goodbye to the Øresund Bridge, the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe. Will our scouting party remain in Denmark or will they cross this marvel of construction? If they cross, do you know what country they will be in?

Update ,We came upon a Russian Submarine and took 2 hits to our port side.We are heavily damaged and communication is spotty at best.

[Jaimie38]

Despite coming under heavy fire, our second scouting party decided to stay ashore. 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise continued to sail north waiving goodbye to the Øresund Bridge, the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe. Will our scouting party remain in Denmark or will they cross this marvel of construction? If they cross, do you know what country they will be in?

Update ,We came upon a Russian Submarine and took 2 hits to our port side.We are heavily damaged and communication is spotty at best.

In Soviet Russia, submarine HITS YOU!

[ironhorse]

With the new North American tour dates posted, At The Gates have conveniently left a gap in their European touring schedule from Jan 19 to Jan 30. Coincidence? I doubt it.

[SaraMarie]

With the new North American tour dates posted, At The Gates have conveniently left a gap in their European touring schedule from Jan 19 to Jan 30. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Wouldn't I love for THAT to happen!

[Metalwrath]

Facebook, the picture with Chris Rörland and Ted Lundström at the Scanner bar, right after your last comment.

Oh, okay! I saw that, but I still don't know where the info comes from... I believe it when the info comes straight from the band, but I don't believe someone saying "apparently they ask too much" ... or "apparently Andy doesn't like them".

I'm not 100% convinced either, that's why I said "I haven’t heard an official statement about this". Let's just hope that it's wrong.

I heard they wouldn't play because Andy wouldn't buy Jari a studio.

[mooyagi]

Holy new forum layout

I heard they wouldn't play because Andy wouldn't buy Jari a studio.

[Ecliptica]

I DON'T LIKE CHANGE AND THE NEW FORUM LAYOUT SCARES ME.