You would be hard pressed to find a metalhead across the world that has never heard of Wacken. One of the biggest and the longest running pure metal festivals, Wacken Open Air is a pilgrimage for many and for most bands, getting a slot on the German based festival is a huge goal.

Understanding their role in the global metal community, Wacken teams up with promoters across the world to help uncover some of the best untapped talent. They do this by hosting Wacken Metal Battle events across many countries- with the winner earning a coveted spot on the line-up.

Among many of these great events lies the Wacken Metal Battle Philippines. Held in Manila, these organisers go above and beyond to not only run the competition but to invite some of regions the best talent to showcase and putting on for the local metal community. This year saw Filipino metal icons such as Arcadia, Greyhoundz and Badburn (just to name a few) feature alongside some of the crème of the crop of Asia’s metal and hardcore scenes.

Previous Japan Wacken Metal Battle winners Sable Hills were invited to the party, along with South-East Asian metalcore legends ANNALYNN, the intensely popular MakeMake from Taiwan and Malaysian hardcore heavyweights Restraint. Not to mention, heavy as hell act from Indonesia DownForLife and Chinese nu-metalcore newcomers An Empty City.

Oh and of course, the three finalists from the three regions of the Philippines fought their way through local heats to showcase their very best in the finals to be selected to represent their country in Germany.

Now, as this was my first time experiencing the Philippines metal scene- I was not entirely sure what to expect. This sold-out show was kept relatively cheap, making it a more affordable day out than one may expect from such a line-up. Standing in the blistering heat amongst the local punters, my woes were quickly put to the side as the energy and excitement of growing crowd started to pick up. This was where we experienced the first of the delays, but in a sadistic twist of events- this only added to anticipation.

Once we got into the venue, the sheer size of the layout had me in awe. Greeted by an intense light show, some bands were still doing their soundchecks. Technical difficulties and other circumstances were to blame but gazing upon the set-up I began to understand why. A large stage with two sides, with the aim of a seamless transition between bands, is always a little ambitious and putting on an event this size is never an easy feat.

Despite the delays, spirits remained high and by the time last year’s Philippines Wacken Metal Battle Winners Redeemed By The Blood took the stage to open the show, the crowd was more than ready. Unfortunately, their set was interrupted by more technical issues. Again, the resilience of the Manila crowd was on full display as a dance circle broke out led by a couple of dressed up spectators- one in a Akatsuki robe and another dressed like Dora The Explorer. As Dora chants ripped through the venue, it allowed the tech team to get things sorted and soon enough Redeemed By The Blood were back on track, picking up where they left off.

Following up from Redeemed By The Blood was Laguna Bay’s Piledriver. Giving us an intense display of hardcore attitude and thrash riffs, the got the crowd moving. Their frontman was an absolute badass, giving exactly what you want from this classic blend of thrash leaning hardcore. Despite a short set, it was a fun one and the perfect way to warm up the stage for the three finalists.

Tech-death aficionados Infernal Eden, the Luzon winners, led the charge, with their ferocious frontwoman- ripping through two songs. Mindanao Classic deathcore acts We Killed Samantha were up next- giving a heavy display of breakdowns and snarling vocals, but it was the cloaked Shvriken, the Visayas region winners, that stole the show. Their commanding stage presence, high energy set and just straight up ripping heavy set was impossible to deny. I honestly believed if they did not win, there would’ve been somewhat of a riot.

Before we got our results though, we had a few more bands take the stage. All the way from Malaysia was Restraint and oh boy, they were one of the most memorable acts of the day. Coming out to Backstreet Boys ‘I Want It That Way’, they had the crowd in the palm of their hand instantly. High energy hardcore at its finest- the lads from KL did not stop.

Local legends BadBurn were up next, delivering a blistering set. Tight, heavy and intense- you can tell just how well respected these legends are. A highlight was the singer bringing out his daughter to sing their final track with them. She walked out with the confidence of somebody who had been doing this her life, her growls harmonising naturally with her fathers.

Soon though, it was time for the results and unsurprising to anybody, Shvriken were crowned champions. When it comes to the other second and third place, I did not envy the judges. Both exceptional bands, both with great presence- but it was Infernal Eden that came in second and We Killed Samantha in third place. The emotions ran high, as it was evident by looking at the members of Shvriken that dreams were made on that stage that day.

With the competition over, the rest of the night was a showcase of some of Asia’s finest. Again, tech difficulties continued to plague several sets, with bands having to cut down their sets to only four-five songs. But those in attendance did not let it dampen their spirits. Taiwan’s MakeMake helped raise the roof, an obvious favourite amongst the Manila audience. Breaking hearts and reducing grown men to giggling schoolboys, the ladies of MakeMake showed how you can look pretty but still tear it up.

After an unfortunate outage interrupted their original performance, An Empty City were finally able to make their way back onstage. A little frustrated, a little nervous but still able to keep it together, the Chinese band put on a showcase of modern metalcore. They are a band to keep an eye on. Local band Saydie are also a band to look out for. Simply ethereal, the groove heavy experimental metal act added a sense of whimsy to the event, their singer like a siren, drawing everybody into her orbit.

If Saydie had everybody in a trance, then ANNALYNN came out to break it. Showing their veteran status and making the most of their shortened set, the Thai metalcore giants know exactly how to get a room moving. Frontman Bon commanded the crowd like none other, throwing himself into a ravenous audience. Giving nobody time to breathe, the room was jumping, spinning, headbanging and singing along. There was no denying their impact, as the demands for one more song rang out the room. Unfortunately, they were not able to fulfil this request, but you can tell the love between them, and the fans was mutual.

After standing in the same spot for five hours, I had to get out to take a breath. Outside the venue was a vast array of food stands, filling the balmy night air with a delicious aroma. Stands selling cigarettes, cold beer and water, plus a DJ gave a party atmosphere. Sipping an Iced Americano while the sound of one of the most popular local acts Wilabaliw drifted out the venue- in that moment it truly felt that despite any logistics issues- this truly is an event worth attending.

Not wanting to miss anymore music, I made my way back in to catch the end of Indonesia’s DOWNFORLIFE, who were in the process of delivering some real brutality. They were followed by one of the Philippines’ best kept secrets- Arcadia. Beach balls and other inflatables were being thrown around and it was really time to party. Pumping through set and causing absolute chaos, this band has become my Roman Empire. From their singer being carried by the crowd to the sheer tenacity of their music- I cannot stress enough that if you have an opportunity to see them, PLEASE DO SO.

As we approached the end of a very long day, I had one last band left in me to witness and that was none other than Tokyo riff lords Sable Hills. In an explosion of hair and breakdowns, their unique brand of modernised classic metalcore never fails to impress me. The exhaustion from the crowd was starting to become obvious, but you bet that did not stop the Japanese act from pushing the crowd to move. Rallying for one of the last times of the day, headbanging was impossible to avoid and of course, the circle pits started.

I will admit, after their set I was tapped out and did miss the last band of the night, Greyhoundz. I was not the only one. Others had set up camp on the floor across the venue, others were passed out from pure exhaustion and those others could no longer find the capacity to rock, they were making their way home in the pouring rain.

Despite any of the issues, there is no doubt that this event is an important event in both the Manila and wider Philippines metal scene. Upon talking to the local fans, they were telling me how it is so much more accessible because of the price. In a world where we are people struggling more and more to make ends meet, with the cost of live music starting to become a luxury- it is truly inspiring to see an organisation give back to their community like this team are.

After being able to experience it myself, I hope nothing for the best for this event going forward and I cannot wait to see the talent that emerges in the years to come.

Words by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)
Photos by Rianne_Pictures