Ahoy me hearties! Lamb of God Presents Headbangers Boat will sail May 27-31, 2028 on Norwegian Jewel from Southampton, UK to La Coruña, Spain, the gateway to the magnificent rocky shores of the Costa da Morte. That’s the Coast of Death, a name earned over centuries of wild storms and shipwrecks. It stretches west and south of La Coruña toward Cape Finisterre, which the Romans believed was the end of the known world. High seas will meet high decibels!
It’s the fifth voyage of the hugely popular heavy metal celebration at sea, and its first-ever European itinerary. Four sailings from Miami, Florida built the legend. Now the 5x Grammy-nominated metal titans Lamb of God are bringing it across the ocean with the volume cranked even higher, with Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than 25 years, once again their shipmate.
Headbangers Boat has always brought the metal community together for face-melting performances, exclusive experiences, and days of pure musical mayhem. This milestone sailing is built for epic riffs and infinite shredding, where metal reigns supreme. No sleeping below deck… all metal, all the time!
Lamb of God will play not one but two unmissable performances, with the first names of an ear-shattering, mind-blowing lineup of special guests also shared today. Joining Lamb of God on the high seas are Zürich’s deathcore marauders Paleface Swiss, whose ferocious live shows leave nothing standing, and Glasgow’s Bleed From Within, the groove-heavy metalcore force who pair punishing breakdowns with soaring melodies. Texas hardcore heavyweights Kublai Khan TX will bring downtuned riffs and skull-caving breakdowns, while Massachusetts metalcore legends Shadows Fall, Grammy-nominated architects of the NWOAHM, arrive with razor-edged riffs and thirty years of battle scars. Rounding out this first wave is Swindon’s genre-mangling Heriot, whose blend of industrial menace, hardcore, and sludge is gloriously savage. But the crew list isn’t complete yet, with more bands still to be added to the Headbangers Boat manifest!
Beyond the non-stop metal, expect world-class dining, numerous amenities, and once-in-a-lifetime moments with your favourite artists and fellow metalheads. Members of Lamb of God will curate and host exclusive activities. Co-founder Randy Blythe sits down for an in-depth conversation and Q&A, and drummer Art Cruz spins a “Heavy In The Mix” DJ set. The Headbangers Poker Tournament includes the chance to win a spot at the Final Table with co-founding bassist John Campbell, so prepare your best poker face and watch out for (card) sharks. Fight for glory in Masters of Metal: The Trivia Massacre and Scream for the Sea Metal Mayhem Karaoke, join in with the Swag Swap where ye can trade booty with your metal brethren, and more.
The adventure starts in Southampton, where rich maritime history meets charming coastal scenery and classic British culture. Before setting sail, cruisers can explore the medieval city walls, visit the SeaCity Museum, check out vintage aircraft or an art gallery, challenge cabin mates to an arcade game showdown, or just stroll through the bustling city centre. Traditional British fare, cosy local pubs, waterfront views, and centuries of seafaring history make it the perfect port to start from, and a fine spot for a pre-sail grog or two.
Once your sea legs have mastered a circle pit on a boat, it’s land ho for a spectacular shore excursion in La Coruña, a stunning coastal city in Spain’s Galicia region packed with historic charm, beautiful beaches, and vibrant Spanish culture. Visit the iconic Tower of Hercules, the oldest working Roman lighthouse in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the late 1st century A.D. Find the Iron Age-era Monte dos Bicos petroglyphs in the sculpture park, potter along to the 16th century fortress Castillo de San Antón (Castle of San Antón), wander the charming streets of the Old Town, and stroll the scenic waterfront promenade – or just chill at the beach! Save some doubloons for onshore vittles by way of fresh seafood and traditional Galician tapas. Anyone for Sangria? Please note: shore excursions will not be available to reserve until 4-6 weeks prior to sailing. Cruisers will be able to book an excursion upon receipt of their official booking number.
Norwegian Jewel, an aptly-named Jewel-class vessel, has everything needed to make Headbangers Boat 2028 the most electrifying cruise adventure yet. There are unique bars and lounges at (almost) every corner, a wide range of delicious specialty and complimentary dining options, the Pool Deck with multiple hot tubs, the Jewel Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Pulse Fitness Centre, Basketball/Pickleball Courts, exclusive merch, and more. You just have to fit it in around all those bands you will want to watch…
Book your cabin! With a range of cabin classes, First Round Presale Signups are open now through November 16 at 04:59 am (GMT), and Final Round Presale Signups conclude November 19 at 04:59 am (GMT). Headbangers Boat Alumni, the old sea dogs of the fleet, get their own presale from November 12-16. Public On-Sales begin November 20 at 7:00 pm (GMT), exclusively at headbangersboat.com. Book during the presale and you save $100 (£75/€90) per cabin before prices rise on November 20, keeping you a few coins. And you can book your spot via the instalment plan, spreading the cost over the coming months with automatic monthly billing and an initial deposit of just $50 (£37) to reserve your place! You can sign up to the instalment plan until March 5, 2027, while cabins last. Everyone who books during the presale also secures an exclusive onboard photo opportunity with Lamb of God.
With the remaining line-up to be revealed in the coming weeks, prepare for your timbers to be shivered!
