Before 2023 Edition, Get to Know Wacken Metal Battle Egypt History

On March 3, Cairo will see a new edition of Wacken Metal Battle Egypt. The upcoming edition is the fourth in the history of the Egyptian Metal scene. Although the local scene witnessed three editions, only two Egyptian Metal bands stepped into the global stage of the most prestigious Metal battles. They were Crescent in 2015, and Veritatem Solam in 2019. 

If you want to know the history of the Wacken Metal Battles in Egypt, read this article!

On June 8, 2013, a post went viral between Metalheads in Egypt on Facebook and it was about the enlisting of Egypt among the batteling acts for a spot at the global Wacken Metal Battle in Germany. 

On November 10, 2013, the period of band registrations for the competition ended and the whole Egyptian Metal scene was deeply motivated. 

We need to mention that 2014 was a highly active Metal year in the metal scene. A number of festivals used to take place including Metal Blast, Metal Grinders, and Groovy Aid, alongside a number of group Metal and Rock acts in Room Art Space, Al Sawy Culturewheel, Rawabet Theater in the Downtown, and Al Gnina Theater where the first edition of Wacken Metal Battle was hosted.

Back to the first ever Wacken Metal Battle Egypt, five Metal bands from Egypt qualified for the battle and they were Crescent, Anarchy, Sinprophecy, Wyvern, and Nathyr. The bands were announced on January 13, 2014.

Crescent, who are one the scene's big-3, were always known for the great blackened death and death Metal compositions, in addition, they were one of the most internationally recognized Egyptian Metal acts, alongside Massive Scar Era, Scarab, and Odious.

Anarchy were also among the top-stars of the Egyptian Metal scene, and they had a successful and sold-out live concert with the Egyptian giants, Scarab, under the name of Brain Slash 2, and it was one of the few video-recorded concerts in Egypt to be released as a DVD. Anarchy used to introduce catchy progressive Metal music with oriental essence and mythological topics.

When you mention the Egyptian Metal Scene, you should mention Sinrpophecy. They were among the most loyal lords to the Egyptian Metal Scene, and their Walls of Death events were among the top trending and most successful Metal events in Cairo, moreover, they opened the doors for dozens of promising and rising Metal bands to have a stage experience. 

Furthermore, Sinprophecy, our local Swallow the Sun, introduced the magnificent combination of sorrow and rage. 

Wyvern also were among the loyal lords of Egypt, and one of the acts that introduced Thrash and Heavy Metal tracks in the best quality and composition techniques. 

Alexandrian giants Nathyr were the only soldiers from the beloved Mediterranean city at the event. They had breathtaking directions in presenting Middle Eastern in harsh and melodic Metal sounds. 

On March 31, the members of the International Jury were announced. The jury members were Hesham Gahin (jury moderator), Amr Hefny (Ganoub Studio), and Michel Khater (Drummer). Mohamed Ragab (Machine Eat Man) was announced as a jury member a few days later. Janne Lundquist from Sweden was also announced for the jury.

Rock Era Magazine provided the full media coverage for the event, and Mennatullah Hossam and Ahmed Ismail were the main photographers for the event. 

Check Rock Era Magazine Review (HERE)

The event was held on May 3 at Al Genina Theater, and the winners of the first edition were Crescent

Second Edition: Disappointment

In 2015, the system of the Wacken Metal Battle adopted a new system. It was a regional one. I can't remember many details about this edition, moreover, I couldn't find a lot of data about it. All I found, some videos and posts about the Metal Battle rounds in Lebanon and UAE, and the winner of each round would face the winner of Egypt.

I can remember that the qualified bands for the Wacken Metal in Egypt posted some posts about apologizing for not competing in the regional round. 

So, 2015 witnessed the absence of Egyptian Metal bands away from the Metal Battles!

Third Edition: The Return

On October 30, 2018, the Egyptian Metal Scene received the good news of the return of Wacken Metal Battle Egypt once again. The registration started in November.

On February 21, 2019, the official page of the Wacken Metal Battle Egypt announced that four bands were qualified for the battle: 2 from Cairo and 2 from Alexandria.

The bands were: Odious, Wujood, Mythos, and Veritatem Solam.

Odious, who are among the top 3-Egyptian Metal acts, returned to the Egyptian stage after three successful performances in Cairo and Alexandria, one of them was with Swallow the Sun at Metal Blast, after the release of their masterpiece and one of the best-composed albums in the history of the African Metal scene "Skin Age." Moreover, they concluded a successful European tour with Septicflesh and Inquisition. 

Mythos were among the most active Metal acts in the year as they released their first EP and many successful singles, Moreover, they were adventurous as they performed different gigs in Cairo and Alexandria.

Veritatem Solam were also among successful Metal acts in the past 10 years in Egypt, and they had a unique melodic death Metal style. 

Wujood and their Ayman Khalifa who had wide contributions to the history of music in Egypt appeared for the first time to the Metal audience that night, and they delivered catchy lines and a good performance. 

For the first time in the history of the Wacken Metal Battle Egypt, the event was headlined by an international act. 2018 Wacken Metal Battle winners Chugger from Sweden came to Egypt and gave the audience a rocking night.

The international jury members were announced between March 19-23. It included Ismail Attallah (Crescent), Ali Hagras (Fabrica), Amr Hefny (Ganoub Studio), Zeyad Yasser (CJC), and Monika Bremer (Wacken Metal Battle promotor). 

Arab Metal Society مجتمع الميتال العربى did the coverage of the night. Check the coverage (HERE).

The event was held on March 30, 2019, at Cairo Jazz Club 610, and the winners were Veritatem Solam.

What's Next?

Last December, Wacken Metal Battle Egypt announced a new edition of the Metal battles. The upcoming edition will take place next month at Cairo Jazz Club 610. 

Four bands were announced for the event: Mythos, Medic, Erasing Mankind, and Bovem.

Bovem were one of the Metal groups that rose in 2014 and participated in a gig in Cairo. Last year, the band returned to action once again, and they are ready for rocking the scene.

Mythos will participate for the second time at the event, and they became more stage experienced after performing dozens of gigs in Cairo and Alexandria.

Regarding Erasing Mankind, they are a newly born band, but the members had a long history in the Metal scene such as Sayed Ragai, and Bahaa Al Dahaby. The band introduced a new musical direction for the members, heavier, harder, and angrier than in their previous experiences. 

Medic, Egyptian progressive Metal pioneers, will take their "Ascension" from the stage to the Wacken Metal Battle Egypt jury. They are one of the most successful and celebrated Metal acts in the scene. They were one of the essential performers of the Metal Blast Festival. 

For the first time in Wacken Metal Battle Egypt, there will be two guest acts: Catharsis, and Kato Hafez. 

We wish the best of luck for all participants, we wish a happy rocking night for the audience.