Shillong, Feb 4: Death metal outfit Stabwound clinched the title at the Shillong Open Air – Wacken Metal Battle, held on January 31, 2026, at the SRGT Parking Lot, Polo, securing the opportunity to represent the North East and Eastern India at the Wacken Metal Battle – Indian Subcontinent Finals in Bengaluru.
The contest, a key segment of the annual Shillong Open Air (SOA) metal festival, drew nationwide participation, with more than 30 bands from across India, including New Delhi, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, submitting their entries. Following a stringent selection process, five bands advanced to the finals — Necroscope (Shillong), Pole Shift (Assam), Annihilation X (Shillong), Stabwound (Shillong) and Crimson Gates (Jowai).
After high-energy performances, Stabwound emerged as the winner, while Annihilation X finished second.
The competition was judged by a panel comprising Nangsan Lyngsan, vocalist of Godless; Abbas Razvi, bassist of Godless; and Kaushik Baruah of Speedtrip.
With this win, Stabwound will now compete in Bengaluru at the Indian Subcontinent Finals alongside bands from Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The overall winner will earn a coveted slot at Wacken Open Air in Germany, the world’s largest heavy metal festival, scheduled for the first week of August.
Beyond the Metal Battle, the Shillong Open Air Concert drew metal fans from across the region, featuring performances by seven bands, with legendary Indian heavy metal act Kryptos headlining the event.
Shillong Open Air continues to stand out as Meghalaya’s only dedicated open-air metal festival, providing a major platform for emerging and established metal bands.
