MEET SHAMANKA

Shamanka is the kind of band that reeks of warm beer, worn leather, and a primal hunger to make the walls shake. This is heavy rock with guts — thick, gritty, and unapologetic. The Brussels-based four-piece hurls thunderous riffs, savage grooves, and raw energy that hits like a backhand. Think Black Label Society, Godsmack, or early Pantera — then crank it louder.

It all started in the midnight maze of Brussels, where Ayoub (guitar) and Nico (bass) kept crossing paths at parties. No names, no numbers — just a blurry exchange: “We should start a band sometime.” The catch? They were always wasted, and the plan vanished with the hangover. It took years of foggy nights and missed connections before they finally sobered up at the same time.

Nico and Cyril (drums) already had solid ground. They co-founded Roadbound and released Salvation None. Nico also tore up stages worldwide with Evil Invaders, while Cyril fueled the scene behind the curtain as a metal programmer on Classic 21.

Ayoub, known for his riffs in Dirty Wolfgang, was a natural fit. And since Brussels is a tight-knit metal village, he brought in Dash (vocals) — a longtime friend with a powerhouse voice and razor-sharp presence. That was the final piece. The circle was complete.