- Metal Battle: Central America rocks the sacred land of metal
Heavy Metal is far from over. New rock bands are constantly joining the scene. Some of the best of them compete year after year in the Metal Battle. They perform on the "Holy Ground" in Schleswig-Holstein, Wacken, for fame and glory - and a boost for their career. The band Fleshless Entity from El Salvador, winner of the competition in Central America, also has high hopes.
The Heavy Metal festival in Wacken is a dream, says singer Alonso Ramos. Every musician in Latin America, not just in South America, dreams of coming to Wacken because these countries are poor. "They are full of crime and all that contributes to people dreaming of being here in the Holy Land." Drummer Juan Chacon agrees: "It's a big dream for everyone, as a fan to come here or just to watch every band play."
Mosh pit during performance
The five musicians in Wacken on the Headbangers Stage excited metal fans with their mix of Black and Death Metal, two of the extreme forms of metal. A mosh pit formed early in front of the stage during their performance. "When I see you, I look at gods," Ramos calls out to them. The singer has his arms painted black, and his long black hair flies up while headbanging.
They have been playing together since 2015. Ramos says they met in a call center. Now they are working on their music career. The first performance in Wacken is a chance for the band to learn and have a good time in Northern Germany.
20 years of Metal Battle
After the half-hour Wacken gig on Wednesday evening, Ramos looks euphoric. "It was fantastic," says the singer. The energy in Wacken is incomparable. The band has been on a European tour for about three weeks. "We love every place we've played. But this is something special. That's why they call it the Holy Land."
The Metal Battle was initiated by the Wacken Foundation, which belongs to the Heavy Metal festival. In 2004, the German trash-metal band Reckless Tide was the first winner. Recently, Phantom Excaliver from Japan triumphed. Now, 87 countries are taking part in the Metal Battle.
"The Wacken Metal Battle is an international band competition where you're not fighting against each other, but just being there is everything," says festival founder Thomas Jensen. This year, bands from 30 different countries are participating. The winner will be crowned on Friday.
Heavy Metal lives
"The significance of the Metal Battle is internationally unmatched," says Sebastian Kessler, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Metal Hammer". The competition is unique. It discovers and supports international bands and gives them the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience.
Heavy Metal is alive, says Kessler. "Even in the 90s, when Heavy Metal was declared dead, it survived, evolved, and even found new strengths through adaptation." The scene is now stronger than ever. "You can't escape Heavy Metal, it's too loud for that."
Old and young
The audience is mixed, says Kessler. "Heavy metal is a generational thing. You can see that very well in Wacken." There, people over 50 are celebrating just as much as 15-year-olds or people with five-year-old children. "There are always new bands and therefore new fans, and the spark of passion is passed on." A lot is happening in the metal scene.
The win at Metal Battle Central America has given Fleshless Entity from El Salvador the opportunity to perform on the "Holy Ground" in Wacken, joining the ranks of numerous rock bands competing in this prestigious event. The enthusiasm for performing at the Heavy Metal festival in Wacken is shared among many aspiring bands, who view it as a symbol of success and a significant boost for their career.
