The Faroese doom metal band Hamferð, of whom we have already spoken about in the Wacken Metal Battle Føroyar live report, won the international finals of the Metal Battle, which took place within Wacken Open Air festival, Germany. After a compelling two-days competition, during which almost 30 bands from all around the world challenged each other in front of a jury of international level, the band from Tórshavn has brought home this excellent result thank to its strong, atmospheric and unique style and its great stage presence, giving off the feeling of a funeral procession.
Consequently, it’s not surprising that the judges have chosen this band from the Faroe Islands to become the winners of this renowned competition. Nevertheless, after the victory, Hamferð‘s frontman, Jón Hansen, has declared that this result has been pretty unexpected:
The experience of winning the Wacken Metal Battle was odd, since we had no thoughts on whether or not we would be in the popular end of the bands at all. Yet it feels less like a "victory" in the sense of the word, and more as if a window has been opened quite wide for us to take the band further. Every band gave their best and had equal chance of getting noticed, so hopefully the other bands will enjoy some success from playing at Wacken as well. That was our only aim from the beginning, and we exceeded it, somehow!
Great satisfaction has been also expressed by the Metal Battle Føroyar organizers who, within less than one year, have started the project, experienced successful national finals and have now seen the Faroese band winning the international finals in Germany. In this connection, one of the organizers, Fróði Tórálvsson Stenberg, has declared:
It feels incredible and surreal all at once. We started the idea of Metal Battle Føroyar back in november, and now we have our first winner, the first time we´re participating in the Wacken Metal Battle concept. I´m happy for the guys in Hamferð, such music enthusiasts and great people, I'm proud to be able to serve as platform through Metal Battle Føroyar, and help getting their music out there. Naturally I also want to thank all our sponsors, who made the trip possible.
The experience of winning the Wacken Metal Battle was odd, since we had no thoughts on whether or not we would be in the popular end of the bands at all. Yet it feels less like a "victory" in the sense of the word, and more as if a window has been opened quite wide for us to take the band further. Every band gave their best and had equal chance of getting noticed, so hopefully the other bands will enjoy some success from playing at Wacken as well. That was our only aim from the beginning, and we exceeded it, somehow!
Great satisfaction has been also expressed by the Metal Battle Føroyar organizers who, within less than one year, have started the project, experienced successful national finals and have now seen the Faroese band winning the international finals in Germany. In this connection, one of the organizers, Fróði Tórálvsson Stenberg, has declared:
It feels incredible and surreal all at once. We started the idea of Metal Battle Føroyar back in november, and now we have our first winner, the first time we´re participating in the Wacken Metal Battle concept. I´m happy for the guys in Hamferð, such music enthusiasts and great people, I'm proud to be able to serve as platform through Metal Battle Føroyar, and help getting their music out there. Naturally I also want to thank all our sponsors, who made the trip possible.
Winning this competition will mean not only getting the chance to play again at Wacken Open Air 2013, but, above all, getting a worldwide record deal with the German label Nuclear Blast and material prices of Marshall, Washburn, Paiste and Eagletone.
Photo by Eija Mäkivuoti
great news!
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