Raise the horns while you pack your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen 'cause one of the biggest Australian metal line-ups ever will gather aboard Australia's first ever dedicated metal cruise, Hellbound, in 2026.
The three-day cruise (22-25 October, 2026) that would make Captain Jack Sparrow giddy, will offer seafaring metalheads two uninterrupted days and three nights of festival programming and cruising.It'll be all hands-on deck for this once in a lifetime experience that's armed with a stacked line-up headlined by Parkway Drive, Polaris, Northlane, The Butterfly Effect, Make Them Suffer and In Hearts Wake.
Alongside the live music contingent – that also features Belle Haven, Bloom, CHEZ, Diamond Construct, Future Static, Ocean Sleeper, Reliqa, The Beautiful Monument, The Gloom In The Corner, To The Grave, and Windwaker – Hellbound will feature DJ sets, themed nights, artist-hosted experiences and non-stop metal-fuelled mayhem for 3,000 heavy music fans.
A joint venture between Choose Your Cruise and Destroy All Lines, Hellbound will take place aboard the Carnival Splendor vessel, and will boast a custom-built main stage on the pool deck, an onboard fitness centre, Cloud 9 Spa and daily fitness classes – the all-in-one ticket covers all entertainment, accommodation and food.
"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," Marius Els, Joint CEO - Choose Your Cruise, says.
"We're excited to add Hellbound to our line-up 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."
Adds Chris O’Brien, Head Promoter - Destroy All Lines: "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."
The bands involved are equally excited to be joining Hellbound. "Alright you scurvy dogs, we can finally tell you that we'll be joining the maiden voyage of Australia's first ever floating metal festival," declares Polaris, "featuring a whole host of mates and headlined by none other than Parkway Drive. Planks will be walked. Rum will be imbibed. Swashes will be buckled. See you next October for four days of nautical nonsense ⚓️."
Adds Diamond Construct: "Hellbound 2026. This one is going to be very special. Three days on the ocean aboard Carnival Splendor, departing Sydney Harbour on 22nd October, 2026. Yarrr 🏴☠️." While Reliqa posted: "Ahoy hoy! We're hopping aboard the Hellbound cruise next October for THREE unforgettable days out at sea 🌊🌊🌊."
Tickets on sale from 10am AEST on 15 May.
Hellbound departs and arrives from Sydney 22-25 October 2026.
Hellbound 2026 Line-up
Parkway DrivePolaris
Northlane
The Butterfly Effect
Make Them Suffer
In Hearts Wake
Belle Haven
Bloom
CHEZ
Diamond Construct
Future Static
Ocean Sleeper
Reliqa
The Beautiful Monument
The Gloom In The Corner
To The Grave
Windwaker
Taking Back Saturday DJs
Stage Host: MANOV
