Pune Metal Band Kasck To Perform at Wacken Open Air 2024

Pune thrash metal band Kasck are heading to Wacken Open Air in Germany this week, competing as part of band competition Wacken Metal Battle on August 1, 2024 at the W:E:T Stage.

The performance marks Kasck’s Europe debut, after they’ve already performed in Dubai and Nepal in the past. Vocalist-guitarist Mayank Katare says they always felt taking part in Wacken Metal Battle was always worth it, given that it leads to a performance slot at Wacken Open Air. Representing the Indian subcontinent, Kasck call the competition “quite challenging but equally rewarding.”

Bands who have won Wacken Metal Battle India face the final hurdle in terms of the financial investment they have to bear in order to travel and perform in Germany. Katare says where there were possible sponsors before for bands wishing to represent India at Wacken, it’s simply tougher now. He adds, “It is hard enough to get sponsorship for a local gig let alone funding a band traveling overseas to perform. In the end, the music business is just like any other business, you gotta spend money to make money.”

They knew the challenge and say they were prepared to put in the money to travel and perform, following in the footsteps of Indian metal bands like Kryptos, Bloodywood, Demonic Resurrection, Zygnema, Godless and more. “It is the stage where every metal band dreams to perform. Even if we have to sell a kidney or two, so what!?” Katare says with a laugh.

Kasck, who released their EP Deal with the Devil in January 2023, are planning an “intense set full of our favorite songs” for Wacken Open Air. Katare adds, “Even though we are just a trio, we like to move around a lot on the stage and at the smaller stages you don’t get that liberty, so we are excited to be able to move freely on the stage too.”

Outside of their own performance, Kasck – comprising Katare, drummer Saurabh Sharma and bassist Vishal Prabhu – are looking forward to watching the likes of Scorpions, Korn, Behemoth, Vio-lence, Evile, Testament and more at Wacken.

The band is already plotting a return to Europe sooner than most, performing in Georgia and Armenia between Oct. 4 and 6, at a festival put together by the label Satanath Records. “Right after that we have some other tours in the planning,” Katare says. Their homecoming gig after Wacken takes place in Bengaluru on Aug. 11, playing at Bangalore Thrash Fest alongside fellow thrash bands like Amorphia, Speedtrip, Sabotage and Splinter. “We would certainly like to achieve this goal where we can have multiple international tours every year, playing in as many countries as possible,” Katare adds.

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