Wakcha is a heavy/folk metal band from Arequipa, Peru, active since 2020, and part of the new generation of Andean‑rooted metal emerging from southern Peru. Their music blends traditional rhythms, native dances, and regional folklore with heavy metal, creating a style they describe as Andean metal. The band incorporates Quechua language, local melodic phrasing, and folk instrumentation, giving their sound a strong cultural identity.
Wakcha formed in Arequipa in 2020, building their sound around the fusion of metal and Andean folklore. A cultural collective describes their style as “metal y folklore latinoamericano… con letra cantada en quechua,” highlighting their commitment to indigenous language and regional traditions.
Their music draws from:
This positions Wakcha within the same Andean‑metal lineage as Uchpa and Inkarri, but with a more melodic, celebratory, and dance‑oriented approach.
The band’s current formation includes:
Past members include drummer Mario Zuñiga and rhythm guitarist Axer Rodriguez, who contributed to the band’s early development.
Wakcha’s recorded output reflects their growing presence in the Andean metal scene:
Saqra Sarge (EP, 2023)
Their first major release, performed live at events such as Arequipa Metal Fest, where the band showcased their fusion of heavy metal with traditional Andean dance motifs.
Awqaq Wañuy (Single, 2024)
A follow‑up single that continues their exploration of Quechua‑language metal and folkloric themes. The track appears on their official YouTube channel and maintains their characteristic blend of heavy riffs and Andean melodic phrasing.
Their music is distributed independently, with videos and performances circulating through regional cultural platforms and metal communities.
Wakcha has become one of the most visible Andean‑metal bands from Arequipa, recognized for:
Their work resonates with audiences seeking a fusion of heavy music and indigenous heritage, strengthening the presence of Andean culture within Peruvian metal.
| Current | |
| Ernesto Alvarez | Bass |
| Rafael Amat y LeĂłn | Guitars (lead) |
| José Antonio Umpire | Wind instruments, Vocals |
| See also:Â Inkarri, ex-Rumi X | |
| Manuel Reynoso | Drums (2023-present) |
| See also: ex-Crimson Death, ex-Spectral (Per) | |
| HarryLex | Guitars (2025-present) |
| Past | |
| Mario Zuñiga | Drums (?-2023) |
| Axer Rodriguez | Guitars (rhythm) |
| Saqra Sarge | EP | 2023 | Â |
| Awqaq Wañuy | Single | 2024 |