Cuban metal group in plight to get visa for SXSW

A Cuban metal group are attempting to break the 50 year-long tense foreign relations between their country and the U.S in order to play at this year’s South-By-South-West festival.

The band, who go by the name Escape, have received backing from focus group UnBlock the Rock, who are currently promoting their cause with an online campaign.

A statement reads:

“Since 1959, the two countries, separated by less than 100 miles of open sea, remain politically and culturally isolated from each other, with no meaningful end in sight. By building a coalition of sponsors, non profits and individuals, UBTR believes that we can navigate the complicated legal process to invite our fellow metalheads to bang their heads with their American neighbors.”

To help fund the potential trip, the activists have released a compilation from Escape and others. Money from the sales will go towards “legal fees, visa processing, and travel costs”.

You can grab a free download from Escape here, taken from their debut album.