Parkway DriveThe first-ever Hellbound heavy metal cruise is taking place this October, and with the maiden voyage selling out in just seven minutes, how could organisers not announce a second journey across the seas?
Choose Your Cruise has revealed that Hellbound will return for a second year in January 2027. The event will span five days – Sunday, 17 to Thursday, 21 January 2027 – aboard the Carnival Splendor, with punters experiencing four nights of heavy metal mayhem.
Hellbound 2027 is set to feature a “huge metal line-up,” which will be revealed on Monday, 2 February – register your interest here.
Punters will get to immerse themselves in live music across multiple stages, as well as other events, themed nights, and curated activities for metalheads. There will also be a port call in Tangalooma, Queensland, offering punters an island escape experience that includes dolphin feeding, snorkelling, and more.
Hellbound II arrives in direct response to the phenomenal demand for the inaugural cruise, which sold out faster than any other event in Choose Your Cruise’s 15-year history. The event will celebrate heavy music culture and community, all while floating on the Carnival Splendor.
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Following the line-up announcement for Hellbound II next Monday, pre-sale tickets will be available on Wednesday, 4 February – sign up here for pre-sale access – and the general sale opens on Thursday, 5 February.
After teasing the inaugural Hellbound for October 2026, the line-up and details were announced last April. The all-Australian trek features headliners Parkway Drive, who will be joined by other big names in heavy music, such as Polaris, The Butterfly Effect, Northlane, Make Them Suffer, In Hearts Wake, Windwaker, Bloom, Diamond Construct, Future Static, Reliqa, The Beautiful Monument, and more.
The debut Hellbound cruise will depart Sydney’s Darling Harbour on Thursday, 22 October 2026, and return on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
Marius Els, Joint CEO of Choose Your Cruise, said of this year’s debut, “We have talked about launching a metal cruise for many years, and the Choose Your Cruise team is thrilled to finally bring this vision to life.
“We’re excited to add HELLBOUND to our lineup of successful cruise brands, and we have the perfect ship to deliver an unforgettable experience. A huge thanks to Destroy All Lines and Parkway Drive for their support in making this happen.”
Chris O’Brien, Head Promoter of Destroy All Lines, added: “I have been in discussion with Choose Your Cruise for years discussing a way to launch a Metal Cruise in Australia, and I’m absolutely thrilled we have managed to pull this off.
“At Destroy All Lines, we are always pushing the boundary with the experiences we offer the fans, and ‘HELLBOUND’ is going to be one for the ages! Marius, Mick and his team are experts in their field, and we couldn’t be in safer hands having them produce this incredible Festival on the open seas for our fans.”
