Our Metal Vacation Story

Salman U. Syed, the visionary behind Bangalore Open Air, began his journey as a young metalhead from India, driven by a deep passion for heavy metal music. His love for the genre led him to the legendary Wacken Open Air, where he first attended in 2009. Over the years, Salman worked his way into the marketing team at Wacken, becoming an integral part of the global brand, and later taking on the prestigious role of Marketing Manager & Wacken Open Air International Brand Ambassador.

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Despite his busy career, Salman never lost sight of his roots. On his weekends and vacation days, he dedicated himself to Bangalore Open Air, India’s longest-running and most prominent heavy metal festival, which he founded in homage to his Wacken experience. His tireless efforts helped build a thriving metal scene in India, connecting the country to the global heavy metal community.

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With a passion for both travel and metal, Salman realized that the combination of the two was the perfect way to bring people together through music. Thus, Metal Vacation was born. Merging his expertise in international marketing with his love for heavy metal, Salman now invites fellow metalheads to experience unique travel adventures—where they can explore the world’s most iconic metal destinations and festivals while connecting with local cultures.

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Salman’s journey, from visiting Wacken Open Air in Germany to creating one in India, and now curating global metal experiences through Metal Vacation