Dikamba have been named the winners of the Wacken Metal Battle Angola 2026 heat in Luanda, earning the right to carry Angola forward in this year’s Africa circuit.
The heat took place on 28 February at Fundação Arte e Cultura on Ilha de Luanda, with Dikamba up against Silk N’ Roots, Efeito Colateral and Banda Ressurreição, and Eternal Katastrophy as special guests. The event was presented by Rock Made in Angola, with Dead Zone and Kavalera Entertainment involved in the build-up.
Ahead of the show, Dikamba bassist Carlos Oliveira told AFRICA.ROCKS the slot carried more weight than the usual “battle” framing. “Representing Angola in the Wacken Metal Battle is, for us, a huge responsibility and also an honour,” he said. “It’s a chance to show that Angolan rock exists, has its own identity, and has the quality to compete on any international stage.”
After the show, the band told AFRICA.ROCKS via Instagram that winning the Angola heat was “a huge source of pride” and “more than a simple victory”, describing it as the result of years of dedication and a sign of the growing strength of Angolan rock and metal. They added that their focus now turns to Johannesburg, where they plan to represent Angola “with grit and responsibility”.
Next up is the Wacken Metal Battle Africa finals on 6 June 2026 at Sognage in Johannesburg, where the regional winners meet for the next stage.
