Heavy metal label Nuclear Blast and metaverse platform The Sandbox have teamed up to launch Blast Valley, a metaverse experience dedicated to metal music and gaming.
Blast Valley offers players a chance to explore a virtual world, embark on a quest and attend virtual events, according to a press release announcing the launch on Monday (January 22).
The virtual experience lets players immerse themselves in a world with a giant volcano scene, vinyl factory, secret crypts, and a bar. They can meet up with players worldwide and participate in quests “to revive the power of metal” within Blast Valley.
“It’s a sprawling abyss where the very air pulsates to metal music. The heart of the Blast Valley is the Infernal Stage, a colossal structure carved out of obsidian. This is where the Blastheads gather to share their love of metal. These beings, born of the raw essence of music, have an innate bond with the rhythms and melodies that echo through the valley,” according to a description of the game on The Sandbox’s website.
Players will be guided by the keeper of the land and guardian of the metal spirit called “The Reaper.”
Additionally, players will also be able to attend virtual gigs and collect avatars.
“Blast Valley is a place where unforgettable experiences are crafted and where bonds with newfound friends are forged. Join us as we celebrate the power of metal and revel in the camaraderie it fosters. Prepare for some upcoming surprises with partners from the scene,” said Nuclear Blast.
“Blast Valley is a place where unforgettable experiences are crafted and where bonds with newfound friends are forged. Join us as we celebrate the power of metal and revel in the camaraderie it fosters.”
Nuclear Blast
Nuclear Blast Records, founded in Donzdorf, Germany in 1987, is part of digital music company Believe after the latter acquired a majority stake in the label in 2018 for what MBW understands was an eight-figure deal. After the acquisition, Believe and Nuclear Blast collaborated on projects including a distribution service called Blood Blast Distribution.
The label’s roster features over 150 bands including Nightwish, Sepultura, Slayer, Sabaton, Blind Guardian, Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia, In Flames, Lamb of God and Dimmu Borgir. Nuclear Blast operates satellite offices in Los Angeles, London, Hamburg and Paris, and has additional representatives in Australia, Brazil, Finland, Italy and Sweden, among others.
Blast Valley marks Nuclear Blast’s latest offering for fans after launching a direct-to-fan platform in November in partnership with metalcore merchandise and music provider Impericon.
Nuclear Blast’s metaverse foray with The Sandbox is the latest in a string of music partnerships for the latter, expanding its position in the burgeoning metaverse music scene.
The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, last month partnered with Warner Music Group to introduce a new gaming experience centered around legendary rapper Notorious B.I.G. The immersive game, called Breakin’ B.I.G., is a 2D arcade-style game that is set in a Brooklyn neighborhood in the ‘90s.
Warner and The Sandbox also previously partnered to create what they described as “the first music-themed world” within The Sandbox gaming metaverse.
The Sandbox also struck partnerships with Universal Music Group’s brand management division, Bravado, for a virtual experience in the metaverse featuring Jamiroquai, the seminal jazz-funk band led by Jay Kay.
Other brands and artists that have partnered with The Sandbox include Ubisoft, The Rabbids, Cut the Rope, Tony Hawk, Gucci Vault, The Walking Dead, Invincible, Snoop Dogg, Adidas, Deadmau5, Steve Aoki, SM Entertainment, The Smurfs, Care Bears, and Atari.
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