sports

февраль 6, 2026

Venezuela present at the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle

The Venezuelan rock and metal scene is gearing up for a major event. On February 21st, Peru will be the stage where Venezuela will seek its ticket to the "Holy Land" of the genre in Germany. Unlike last year, the Venezuelan national team isn't traveling with just one representative, but with a double contingent: Real Vision (Maracay) and CERES (Puerto Ordaz).

The Venezuelan rock and metal scene is gearing up for a major event. On February 21st, Peru will be the stage where Venezuela will seek its ticket to the "Holy Land" of the genre in Germany. Unlike last year, the Venezuelan national team isn't traveling with just one representative, but with a double contingent: Real Vision (Maracay) and CERES (Puerto Ordaz).

Both groups are gearing up for the regional chapter of the world's most important competition, where they will face off against talent from Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and the host country. Their goal is clear: to conquer the South American throne and represent the entire continent at the legendary Wacken Open Air Metal Battle, the most prestigious and longest-running music competition of its kind.

—Last year, the Venezuelan band Vhill was crowned South American champion. Do you feel that this previous achievement puts extra pressure on you or, on the contrary, does it serve as motivation to demonstrate that Venezuela is currently the powerhouse in the region?

—CERES (C): We feel it more as motivation than pressure. Vhill is a sister band, our best friends are there, we belong to the same city and scene. Seeing them on the Wacken Open Air stage gave us goosebumps; it was a very proud moment. Their achievement shows that great, high-level things can be done from Venezuela. For us, it's an impetus to continue demonstrating that Venezuelan metal has a lot to say in the region.

—Visión Real (VR): It's definitely a collective triumph. It benefits all of us who represent the scene in Venezuela because when a band manages to break through, the flag represents us all. That our country crosses borders with heavy sounds demonstrates that, despite any difficulties, the level of production and performance here remains export-quality.

—Visión Real was formed in 2011 and has gone through several stages. How has that Rap Core sound evolved from its beginnings to become the standard that will represent the country today?

—VR: It has been a constant process of maturation. We have evolved thanks to the contribution of every musician who has been part of our band since the beginning; each one left their mark on our current sound. Today we have new equipment, iron discipline, and years of study that allow us to sound more solid, without losing our essence.

—CERES comes from the same city and scene as Vhill, the current regional champions. How do you approach the commitment to keep that “torch” burning for your region, and what distinctive elements does your proposal bring this year?

—C: For us, it's a great responsibility and a huge motivation. What Vhill has achieved pushes us to want to give our best. We're very proud of what's being built in Ciudad Guayana and, with great humility, we feel that our music has its own identity, with a lot of energy and character. We want to contribute to that scene and inspire other bands to believe that you can go far from here too.

—There are only a few months left until the event in Lima. What is your current rehearsal schedule like?

—C: We're totally focused on preparation, rehearsing constantly and taking care of the travel logistics. Musically, the work centers on polishing the setlist that led us to victory in Caracas, but thinking about the show as a whole: how to connect with the audience and make every minute on stage count.

—VR: We're not leaving anything to chance. Right now, we're polishing and perfecting every detail of the setlist that won us the battle here in Venezuela. The goal is to give our best; we're going in with the mindset of showing what Venezuelan musicians are made of.

—Representing Venezuela involves a significant logistical and financial effort. What activities do you have planned to cover these expenses?

—C: Our main strategy is a Live Session titled Vortex, an immersive experience created to break the traditional format. Tickets are on sale at our Linktree (linktr.ee/ceresbanve). The public response has been wonderful; we've received a lot of support and good vibes, and that motivates us to keep pushing forward.

—VR: The response has been incredible. We'll be playing a concert in Valencia on January 31st at Rock and Riff Bar. We're also open to partnerships with brands that want to support this project (contact: @visionrealmcy). Feeling that support from the fans and our partner brands is what gives us the strength to go to Lima.

—If you had to define in one sentence what your band is going to say to the world when you take the stage abroad, what would it be?

—C: We come from a difficult path, but one full of resilience. From there we raise our voices to demonstrate that, even in adversity, Venezuela continues to create, resist, and dream big.

—VR: Our ultimate phrase is “Real Vision: Latin American Represent.” It’s more than a slogan; it’s our philosophy of life: to represent the sound of our region with pride and a global vision.