It’s the jingle-jangle of metal for Bengaluru’s first weekend of the New Year

Metal music for Bengaluru’s first weekend of the New Year

January 6, 5:30 pm onwards

Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, Koramangala

Tickets: ₹499 via Insider.in, plus ₹500 cover charge at the door

The Wacken Metal Battle’s regional rounds have kicked off early in the country to find the one act that will get a spot to compete at the global competition held at the German metal festival, Wacken Open Air, from July to August this year. The Bengaluru leg brings in a varied lineup of six artistes who are vying to become winners at this stage; they will then go on to play at the final round next month at Bangalore Open Air.

Hyderabad-based rock act Peekay join the fray alongside city-based artistes including space-rock band Space Is All We Have, metal bands Ksetravid, As Oceans Flatline, Mutiny and Maneating Orchid. While all the bands have been regulars on the gig circuit, Maneating Orchid — known for their unpredictable mash of mathcore, death metal and progressive metal — are among the more seasoned acts to join Wacken Metal Battle this year.

Wacken Metal Battle’s Bengaluru leg is headlined by two non-competing bands — seasoned grindcore band Nauseate, who released their full-length album Tales From A Groaning Existence in 2020 and rising metallers Goatsmoke, who take over with a blend of sludge, punk and doom styles heard on their 2022 EP What’s the Scene, Bob?

January 7, 5 pm onwards