[cowboy71]

A bit of fun - who do you think (and/OR who do you HOPE) we will see in the final 10?

To recap, this is the last 3 years, with last.fm listener figures.

2018
Real mix of genres, a couple of big (by last.fm listener figures) bands in Leaves Eyes, Exodus, Kataklysm and Belphegor, and a bunch of lesser knows. A bunch of 45 minute setters, finishing with two 60s.

Triosphere Prog 22200
Leaves Eyes Symphonic 317300
Evertale Power 2733
Belphegor Death 118100
Psychostick Comedy 75100
Majestic Downfall Death 3090
Diablo Blvd Metal 15800
Revenge Speed 30900
Kataklysm Death 179800
Exodus Thrash 365300

2017
Fairly folk/power heavy, again with several bigger bands (Angra, Carcass, Cryptopsy, Manegarm) and a few unknowns. A 60 minute setter towards the start (Angra) and the finish (Carcass)

Manegarm Viking 106400
Angra Power 276400
Einherjer Folk 90600
Cryptex Folk 31400
Total Death Death 756
Touch The Sun Metal 51
Witchtrap Thrash 5744
Dalriada Folk 33600
Striker Thrash 11600
Carcass Melodeath 302200
Cryptopsy Death 151100

2016
Fairly death-centric, some 'bigger' (but not AS big as 2017/2018) bands (Diamond Head, Arkona, Novembers Doom) and some junk
ALL 45 minute setters.

Dead Cross Punk 3
Ghoul Death Metal 31800
No Rasa Death Metal 186
Fallujah Death Metal 39200
Incantation Death Metal 54200
Arkona Folk 108700
Starkill Melodeath 5354
Nervosa Thrash 6225
Novembers Doom Doom 103300
Diamond Head Heavy Metal 161200

[cowboy71]

My predictions, remembering that the 51st band is guaranteed to be a T. I'm going with 3 bigger names, three small, and four very small.

'bigger' names
Tyr for the T - Highly possible
Wintersun - hotly rumored
Running Wild - wishful thinking!

'smaller' names
Exit Eden - One of them is on board already!
Trick or Treat - lead singer is already on board
Temperance - one of their singers is already on board

Crippers (sub 10,000 last.fm listeners)
Claymorean
Dragony
Brothers of Metal
Ex Libris

[Cardest]

10 to go!
Who could they be?

Stat Man would be close to guessing!

Speaking of things 10.....round 10, 2020.
I wonder what big names will be on that cruise and where the heck we go!

[mindgrind]

don't forget, Cirith Ungol- the bass player Jarvis Leatherby from Night Demon is also their manager, and has been doing shows and fests with them , so make that happen.

[dinki]

1. Annihilator will be on for sure i think.

2. Maybe the Night Demon Announcement will bring Visigoth onboard cause Jarvis is the Manager afaik.

3. Guess a black metal band

4. Guess a stoner/sludge

5. T for Terrorizer or Tankard

6. Cirith Ungol / Slough Feg would be great

[Godflesh]

The ‘T’ band will be either TYR, TURISAS, or TROLLFEST.
Then 2x3 Cripper bands.
Then a thrash band, perhaps ANNIHILATOR, but hoping for POWER TRIP.
Then a party band, probably TROLLFEST, unless they’re announced next, in which case it will be TYR or TURISAS instead.
Then WINTERSUN announced shortly before the running order is published.

[cowboy71]

The ‘T’ band will be either TYR, TURISAS, or TROLLFEST.
Then 2x3 Cripper bands.
Then a thrash band, perhaps ANNIHILATOR, but hoping for POWER TRIP.
Then a party band, probably TROLLFEST, unless they’re announced next, in which case it will be TYR or TURISAS instead.
Then WINTERSUN announced shortly before the running order is published.

Like your thinking! Definitely far more likely than mine (mine is a lot of wishful thinking, and mine lacks any death or thrash which are guaranteed to count for at least a couple of bands in the final 10).

[Godflesh]

BTW, TROLLFEST has a hole in their touring between 1/26 and 2/16.

[Pellaz]

The ‘T’ band will be either TYR, TURISAS, or TROLLFEST.
Then 2x3 Cripper bands.
Then a thrash band, perhaps ANNIHILATOR, but hoping for POWER TRIP.
Then a party band, probably TROLLFEST, unless they’re announced next, in which case it will be TYR or TURISAS instead.
Then WINTERSUN announced shortly before the running order is published.

This pretty much mirrors my thinking. I suspect the T band will be Trollfest (based on their touring schedule "hole") but I'd love Tyr or Turisas...or both. (Getting both would replicate the original Paganfest U.S. tour, which was awesome top-to-bottom).

I don't expect all that, though. Andy has to save some names for 2020.

[Ethrivas]

Would like to believe that "Black Metal" side is kind of incomplete, and we can wait a big name on that front such as:
Immortal or Dimmu Borgir.

For the next T, i really hope it is Tribulation or The Crown. (Tyr or Turisas is also OK on my side)
Fingers crossed for crippers such as: Brymir, Moonshade, Marianas Rest, Perpetual Night, Orbit Culture, Shade Empire.

I also expect Wintersun to be added at the very last minute.

Annihilator and Amon Amarth will be picked for 10th edition imo.

EDIT: I think Arsis will be added to the lineup.

[JoAnnamayhem]

Would like to believe that "Black Metal" side is kind of incomplete, and we can wait a big name on that front such as:
Immortal or Dimmu Borgir.

For the next T, i really hope it is Tribulation or The Crown. (Tyr or Turisas is also OK on my side)
Fingers crossed for crippers such as: Brymir, Moonshade, Marianas Rest, Perpetual Night, Orbit Culture, Shade Empire.

I also expect Wintersun to be added at the very last minute.

Annihilator and Amon Amarth will be picked for 10th edition imo.

As for the black metal side, I see Immortal as being a pick however I don't see Dimmu being onboard. Im not sure how I would categorize Rotting Christ but I feel there is hope they will be announced.

I was thinking Testament also for the T, idk if megadave has any type of exclusive clause with his boat but if there isnt then I feel this could a viable guess. Also Tyr and Turisas will both be welcomed by myself, I haven't seen Tribulation in years and it would be nice to see them also. Im actually not even to familiar with The Crown but I will be checking them out today.

I think all the hints towards Wintersun are pretty valid. I mean, with my conversation with Jari plus the backup of several other cruisers with similar stories/ apparent inside info I think we can almost bet on this.

Unfortunately I wont be on in 2020 but im psyched for Amon Amarth to be on board then, im pretty sure they will be to. They just finished recording their new album I believe and that would be perfect.

[JoAnnamayhem]

Something else I forgot to mention for a rumor/prediction:

At the NYC Suffocation show Sonia from Burning Witches was there. We were chatting a bit and I asked if there was any chance of them being on board. She kinda smiled, took a sip of her drink and pretty much shrugged as if she wasn't at liberty to say. Maybe I am grasping at straws but just thought I would throw that out there.

[jeyrow]

My prediction regarding the last 10 bands, taking into account that next year marks the X anniversary (assuming it is a big party with big bands), the next 10 bands would be Cripper Awards, to compete for a quota for 2020

[Phoenix]

Tyr, Tankard, Tengger Cavalry, or Trollfest
Annihilator
Three more Cripper bands, one of which will be Cirith Ungol
One band some people will consider to be black metal - Venom, Keep of Kalessin, or similar, but NOT Dimmu Borgir.
Uli Jon Roth
A band completely out of left field
One doom metal band
Wintersun, announced last and the day before the cruise

EDIT: Had Annihilator twice, changed one to Uli after reviewing rumours.

[Ti7aNiC]

Tyr, Tankard, Tengger Cavalry, or Trollfest
Annihilator
Three more Cripper bands, one of which will be Cirith Ungol
One band some people will consider to be black metal - Venom, Keep of Kalessin, or similar, but NOT Dimmu Borgir.
Annihilator
A band completely out of left field
One doom metal band
Wintersun, announced last and the day before the cruise

I don't know about Annihilator twice, aha, but otherwise I absolutely agree with Phoenix 100%.

[meshuggah]

Wasn't Uli supposed to be onbroad?

[Phoenix]

Tyr, Tankard, Tengger Cavalry, or Trollfest
Annihilator
Three more Cripper bands, one of which will be Cirith Ungol
One band some people will consider to be black metal - Venom, Keep of Kalessin, or similar, but NOT Dimmu Borgir.
Annihilator
A band completely out of left field
One doom metal band
Wintersun, announced last and the day before the cruise

I don't know about Annihilator twice, aha, but otherwise I absolutely agree with Phoenix 100%.

Whoops, messed up when I was doing this lol. 'Twas early.

Maybe my second Annihilator should be Uli, like meshuggah suggested? I remember vaguely some sort of rumour about him being on broad.

[Godflesh]

BTW, TROLLFEST has a hole in their touring between 1/26 and 2/16.

Also, a new album out on 1/18.

[Godflesh]

Wasn't Uli supposed to be onbroad?

He has a hole in his tour dates between 1/24 and 2/9, so definitely possible. It's also his 50th anniversary tour.
I would have thought he would have been announced earlier, for some reason.

[Jaimie38]

I am still hoping for an alias for a huge band.
"Please Welcome the Sherrif's of Huddlesfield to 70 2019" Who??
And Iron Maiden arrives via helicopter as we board the ship.
Yes, I say this every year.

[Sgt. B]

If the Wintersun rumor is correct, then I predict 8-9 bands that Razor gives a thumbs down jpg & 1 band with the fireworks gif.

[Razor Ramon]

If the Wintersun rumor is correct, then I predict 8-9 bands that Razor gives a thumbs down jpg & 1 band with the fireworks gif.

Haha, I'm fully expecting 10 thumbs downs.

[cowboy71]

If the Wintersun rumor is correct, then I predict 8-9 bands that Razor gives a thumbs down jpg & 1 band with the fireworks gif.

Haha, I'm fully expecting 10 thumbs downs.

Yeah, the likelihood of Wintersun takes a noisedive when you realise its a band on Razor's wishlist

[Azazel101]

I think we will get 1 that I own some from, 2 that I will own some from, 6 that I never heard of and at least 1 Florida based band.
some may overlap

[Razor Ramon]

So how many will I thumbs down, meh, or celebrate? Hmmmm..

[eddie_beast]

Last three years a Colombian band was announced in the final 10 and in the last 4 years there was always at least one Colombian band on board, so I guess and I hope there will be at least one Colombian band in the last 10 announcements.
For the other announcements I hope the T to be Testament and it would be nice to have Symphony X on board as they are touring again later this year.

[cowboy71]

Compiling some of the more compelling predictions.

Trollfest for the T - New album out, and gap in their schedule
Wintersun - hotly rumored
Annihilator - because they are a regular fixture
Uli Jon Roth - word on the street was he was gonna be on
Exit Eden - One of them is on board already with Visions of Atlantis
Trick or Treat - lead singer is already on board with Twilight Force
Temperance - one of their singers is already on board with Visions of Atlantis
Dragony - bassist already on board with Visions of Atlantis
Cirith Ungol - bassist already on board with Night Demon
Seventh Wonder - cancelled their gig that was on during the cruise so Kamelot could get on board.

[cowboy71]

Something else I forgot to mention for a rumor/prediction:

At the NYC Suffocation show Sonia from Burning Witches was there. We were chatting a bit and I asked if there was any chance of them being on board. She kinda smiled, took a sip of her drink and pretty much shrugged as if she wasn't at liberty to say. Maybe I am grasping at straws but just thought I would throw that out there.

Burning Witches are already ruled out. Touring with Grave Digger during the cruise.

[Pellaz]

So how many will I thumbs down, meh, or celebrate? Hmmmm..

I'm gonna say 9 thumbs-down and maybe one thumbs-up, which might or might not be Wintersun.

[Godflesh]

Uli Jon Roth - word on the street was he was gonna be on

He supposedly said in 2017 he was already booked for 2019.
Also, the hole in his 50th anniversary tour between 1/24 and 2/9 is damn convenient.

[Razor Ramon]

Wintersun won't be on.

[ExtraneouS]

So how many will I thumbs down

[cegr80]

I would like at least one more band from my wishlist. Tyr or Emperor at least. And Wintersun is more than welcome

[PotatoPotahto]

Honestly if I can even get ONE more wish list band I'll be happy with the last 10.

Especially if it's Beast in Black. They're super super requested and aren't doing any shows until February 21st, so it's definitely possible.

[cowboy71]

Honestly if I can even get ONE more wish list band I'll be happy with the last 10.

Especially if it's Beast in Black. They're super super requested and aren't doing any shows until February 21st, so it's definitely possible.

You are going to lose your shit with anticipation if any of the next ten announcement clues are the letter B

Me too for that matter. Beast In Black, Bloodbound, Brothers of Metal are all on my wishlist too. I'd be happy with Blind Guardian as well, but i've seen them a heap of times already.

[bodomdragon]

I really hope that at least one of the 10 following bands gets announced:

Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder
Seventh Wonder

Fingers crossed!

PS. They could be added as a possibility, even if it is a remote one, for the same reason as Trick or Treat: their lead singer is already onbroad.

[PotatoPotahto]

Honestly if I can even get ONE more wish list band I'll be happy with the last 10.

Especially if it's Beast in Black. They're super super requested and aren't doing any shows until February 21st, so it's definitely possible.

You are going to lose your shit with anticipation if any of the next ten announcement clues are the letter B

Me too for that matter. Beast In Black, Bloodbound, Brothers of Metal are all on my wishlist too. I'd be happy with Blind Guardian as well, but i've seen them a heap of times already.

Now imagine if Behemoth wasn't ruled out.

I don't think they could announce a B band not on my wishlist at that point

[cowboy71]

Nice guessing peoples! Lets see how we go with B.

[Ethrivas]

Be'lakor or Brymir is what i wish for but i think it will be Beast in Black.

[JoAnnamayhem]

Be'lakor or Brymir is what i wish for but i think it will be Beast in Black.

I will fully be satisfied with either one of these, adding Borknagar