‘Wacken Open Air’ canceled, Bangladeshi band ‘Thrash’ can still compete in the regional battle

Wacken Open Air, the German metal music festival, has been canceled by the organizers. Due to the ban on public gathering in Germany; the festival was postponed until 2021.

Wacken Open Air is one of the most celebrated events for metal music aficionados around the world. The festival sold out all of its 75,000 tickets in just 24 hours.

Metal bands including the likes of Judas Priest, Slipknot, Amon Amarth and Beast in Black were scheduled to perform in the festival. Last year, Bangladeshi band 'Trainwreck' took part in the festival after winning the regional battle of Wacken Open Air. 

In 2020, another Bangladeshi band named 'Thrash' was supposed to partake in the regional battle in Banglalore, India. Winner of the competition gets a slot to perform at the Wacken Open Air in Germany. 

Sumit Gaurab, guitarist of Thrash, talked to The Business Standard about the status of the competition in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sumit said, "We were supposed to compete in the regional round of the competition in March. However, the coronavirus spread has disrupted the schedule of the event. We have been notified by the organizers that if the current situation subsides, the competition will be held in December."

Sumit also talked about the grim future of live shows as the coronavirus shows no sign of slowing down. "I am concerned about the future of concerts even after the pandemic ends. This crisis will affect the music industry," he opined.