Cryptopsy Surpasses Metallica, Making History as the First International Metal Band to Perform in Saudi Arabia

Canadian technical death metallers Cryptopsy have achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first-ever international metal band to perform in Saudi Arabia. While US metal giants Metallica made headlines with their announcement to be the first international metal act in the Kingdom on December 14, Cryptopsy took the stage at the Syrup Stage in Riyadh on Saturday, December 2, beating Metallica to the historic feat.

Expressing their excitement, Cryptopsy stated, “It’s incredible that even after 30 years as a band, we can still experience something new and exciting. It is a true honor to be the first international metal band to perform in Saudi Arabia. Our experience here has been amazing and unforgettable.“

The event, promoted by Slamman Booking Asia and organized by Heavy Arabia Entertainment, marked the culmination of years of effort to bring a foreign metal band to perform in Saudi Arabia. Gigi Arabia, the CEO of the company, expressed immense pride in pioneering the organization of the first-ever international metal band in Saudi Arabia.

Last Saturday’s show, featuring Cryptopsy, alongside Creative Waste and Necrosin, represents a significant milestone in the history of the Saudi metal scene. Gigi Arabia emphasized, “We know for a fact that after December 1, 2023, the landscape of metal in Saudi Arabia will never be the same. This achievement was spearheaded purely by the local scene, for the local scene. Our commitment to promise and deliver, even in the face of imperfections, has truly been the driving force behind this milestone for the scene.“