SHVRIKEN Crowned In Wacken Metal Battle Philippines, To Represent Country On Global Stage

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — In the vibrant metropolis of Manila, Philippines, Cebuano metal band SHVRIKEN emerged victorious as the Philippine representative in the esteemed Wacken Metal Battle. The band is now poised to represent their country at the global finals, taking place in Germany during the largest metal festival in the world. The recently concluded Philippine leg of the competition was held at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City on June 16, 2024.

A formidable force within the Cebu metal scene, SHVRIKEN’s journey commenced in 2016, with vocalist Shawn Talacero and guitarist Dave Orat as its founding members. Following various lineup adjustments, the band arrived at its current composition with bassist RR Porminal and drummer Jose Perpetua joining their ranks, while Earl Borres completed the lineup as the second guitarist.

The band’s musical style draws inspiration from modern metal and djent giants such as Meshuggah, Periphery, Veil of Maya, Kadinja, Monuments, and Born of Osiris. However, Dave Orat’s penchant for innovative guitar riffs, as opposed to purely traditional metal runs, lends a distinctive touch to SHVRIKEN’s sound, setting them apart from their peers. This uniqueness extends beyond their music, manifesting vividly in their live performances, where the band incorporates Japanese Sengoku Era-inspired attire and emanates boundless energy to captivate their audiences.

The combination of SHVRIKEN’s sonic and visual prowess undoubtedly captured the imaginations of the multitude of metal enthusiasts in attendance at the Wacken Metal Battle Philippines, propelling the band to emerge as the top choice against formidable competition.

“Humbling.” That is how drummer Jose Perpetua succinctly described their experience. “Playing side by side with the best bands from Luzon, Mindanao, and other Southeast Asian countries helped me realize how big and diverse the music scene actually is.”

The significance of their accomplishment was not lost upon the band. “It’s probably one of the greatest achievements I’ve ever had in my life so far,” guitarist Dave Orat expressed upon securing their victory. “We really did not expect anything when we joined this year’s battle,” vocalist Shawn Talacero added, “Winning the prize really means a lot to us.”

While winning the competition was a significant milestone, the band’s experience extended beyond mere triumph, as they reveled in the camaraderie and sense of community among fellow metalheads. “My favorite part was when the audience did this giant wall of death on a part of SEKIGAHARA,” Orat described. “That was insane.”

SHVRIKEN now embraces both excitement and trepidation as they prepare to represent the Philippines on a global stage at the Wacken Metal Battle finals. “This victory opens up incredible opportunities for us to showcase our talent on an international stage,” guitarist Earl Borres remarked. “It’s a dream come true for any metal band to perform at one of the world’s largest and most prestigious metal festivals.”

Wacken Open Air stands as the largest gathering of the global metal community and happens annually in Wacken, Germany. The festival regularly features renowned names from both the metal and hard-rock genres. The upcoming edition, slated for July 31 to August 3 this year, boasts a lineup headlined by legendary acts such as Scorpions, Korn, and Amon Amarth, among more than a hundred other performers.

While their forthcoming performance at Wacken Open Air takes precedence for the coming weeks, SHVRIKEN also plans to release new music soon. A newly recorded and remastered version of their debut single, Hellwalker, will be available on streaming platforms on June 28, followed shortly after by an epic new single titled Oni.

Support SHVRIKEN in their quest for glory at Wacken Open Air by following the band on social media for updates and presaving their upcoming remastered release of Hellwalker!