“We’re carrying the flag for a growing but often overlooked metal community in Nigeria.”
Nigeria enters this year’s Wacken Metal Battle Africa story through Lagos, where Lovesick will play before heading to the finals in South Africa. The show also brings Clayrocksu, Drunk Giant Bird and Novanika onto the same bill, giving the night a wider view of Nigeria’s alternative scene.
For Korny (vocals/guitar), that role cannot be separated from the scene back home. “It’s a huge honour, and honestly, it comes with a deep sense of responsibility. We’re not just representing ourselves. We’re carrying the flag for a growing but often overlooked metal community in Nigeria. It means showing up with everything we’ve got, proving that heavy music from this part of the world is just as powerful, technical, and emotionally driven as anywhere else. We want to make people curious about what’s happening back home.”
“We are finally being recognised in rock and metal music.”
Ayo (lead guitar) answers the second question by widening the frame even further. “Firstly, I want to thank Wacken Africa for giving African bands the chance to compete, with the winners getting to participate in one of the biggest metal festivals in the world. I also want to thank them for involving Nigerian bands, as this is Nigeria’s first time. Special thanks to Clayrocksu for being part of the organising team and for helping facilitate the Wacken Nigeria showcase. This is a huge milestone for the rock and metal industry in Nigeria. We are finally being recognised in rock and metal music. As Lovesick heads to the finals, we hope to win and become the first Nigerian band to participate in Wacken Festival. Big thanks to everyone for their support.”
The Lagos set and the finals set are not being treated as the same job. Korny is clear about that. “For Lagos, it’s about energy and connection with our home crowd, our Arà ilé. We’re leaning into the songs that people already resonate with, but elevating them performance-wise. For South Africa, we’re being more strategic: tight transitions, refined arrangements, and a setlist that showcases our range within a limited time frame. It’s less about familiarity and more about impact.”
The fourth question pulls the focus away from Lovesick alone and back towards the scene they are coming out of. Korny answers it in broad terms: “Nigeria brings resilience and originality. We’re building something from the ground up with limited infrastructure, which forces creativity. There’s also a unique blend of influences, local rhythms, relatable storytelling, and global metal sounds all colliding. That creates something unique and unpredictable, which is exactly what any music movement needs to grow.”
That idea comes back again when he talks about the full Lagos lineup. “It shows that the scene is not only alive but evolving. Each of those acts represents a different shade of alternative music, and together it highlights the diversity we have right now. There’s a real sense of community and momentum building. It’s no longer just isolated pockets. There’s a movement forming, and people are starting to pay attention. Dey with us and we go surely dey with you.”
From here, the next part is simple enough. Lovesick plays Lagos first, then heads south for the finals. The larger questions around the Nigerian scene will not be settled in one night, but this is where the public part starts.
