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12. September 2024

2025 Participating Countries Announced

We are thrilled to officially announce the participating countries for the Wacken Metal Battle 2025. Once again, we will unite the underground metal scenes from around the world in one of the most prestigious competitions for emerging metal bands. This year’s Metal Battle will see the event expanding its global reach, including new and returning regions, all vying for a chance to perform on the grand stage at Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest and most legendary metal festival.

From the scorching sands of the Middle East to the icy lands of Finland, from the Caribbean shores to the Balkan regions, the global metal community will come together in a fierce competition of talent and passion. Each country will host local Metal Battles to determine which band will represent their nation in the international finals, taking place at the sacred grounds of Wacken in 2025.

We are excited to witness the diversity of sounds, cultures, and stories that each band will bring, strengthening the global metal community and offering an unparalleled opportunity for emerging acts to make their mark on the world stage.

Participating Countries for Wacken Metal Battle 2025:

  • Argentina
  • Balkan Regions
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • Caucasia & West Asia
  • Central America
  • Czech Republic
  • China
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Indian Sub-Continent
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Ireland
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • South America Northern Region
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Sweden
  • Uruguay
  • USA

Check over here the countries which have opened applications for 2025 already.

2. September 2024

Wacken Metal Battle 2024 Aftermovie Released.

The Wacken Metal Battle celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, marking two decades of discovering the best emerging metal talent worldwide. Since 2004, this competition has become a vital part of Wacken Open Air, offering unsigned bands from over 40 countries the chance to perform on one of metal’s biggest stages. Winners gain not only the thrill of playing at Wacken but also significant exposure in the metal community. The Metal Battle remains a key force in championing new talent and shaping the future of heavy metal.

With this official aftermovie, a huge “Thank You!” goes out to all the Wacken Metal Battle bands and promoters of Wacken Open Air 2024! See you in Wacken – rain or shine!

Tickets:

Get your ticket for Wacken Open Air 2025 now! Purchase here: http://wacken.click/woa2025tickets

Official Aftermovie Credits:

  • Executive Producer: Salman U. Syed, WOA Festival GmbH
  • Creative Director: Nick Scholey
  • Directors of Photography (DOPs): Nick Scholey, Nick North
  • Editing & Post-Production: Nick Scholey
  • Music Editor & Script Supervisor: Nick Scholey
  • Color Correction & Grading: Nick Scholey
  • Footage Selection: Nick Scholey & Salman U. Syed

Additional Footage:

  • Contributor: Salman U. Syed, WOA Festival GmbH, Stephan Liehr, WOA Festival GmbH
  • External Contributors: Mei Blanche (China), Yang Yu (China), Hameeda Katoon (Germany), Felipe Szarruk (Colombia), Paula Casas (Colombia), Eric Dow (USA), Adam Bushey (USA), Stefan Albers & Kay Holland (Aerial Shots)

Featured Bands:

  • SHVRIKEN – SEKIGAHARA
  • THUS – INHALE THE ASH
  • FIVE PENALTIES – Living like a dead body 像尸体一样活着
  • INFO – Salve Robot
  • DOOMSDAY ASTRONAUT – Born Of Smokeless Fire
  • AQUILLA – PATHFINDER
  • THUS – PACIFY THE PARASITE

Stay Connected:

  • Wacken Metal Battle Social Media: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
  • WackenTV: Latest uploads & recommendations @wackentv

WackenTV is the place to find hundreds of clips shot on site throughout the history of the world’s most famous metal festival – with more and more content every Tuesday and Friday.

Legendary performances, gorgeous campground atmosphere, and exciting glimpses behind the scenes are gathered here. Meet the Wacken crew with our host Harry Metal and watch out for Wacken-related content like shots from Full Metal Cruise or Wacken Winter Nights. Comment on our clips, like us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and take part in our video-vote once a month.

All WackenTV clips from Wacken Open Air 2024: http://wacken.click/woa2024 Be amazed by the Metal Battle competitors: http://wacken.click/metalbattle All W:Olive performances released on WackenTV: http://wacken.click/AllWOA

11. June 2024

The second Round of 10 Metal Battle Bands Announced

W:O:A 24 is coming closer and so does this year’s Metal Battle. Ten out of our 30 finalists were already brought to you, now it’s time to serve some more.

From North America, over Asia, Middle- and Southern-Europe and Scandinavia – you name it we got it! You can picture a complete list of every new attendant down below.

Congrats to everyone that made it this far in their metal battle journey already and “welcome” to the HolyGround! We cannot await the epic duels you’ll bring to all of us.

The newest additions are:

Slovakia – ETTERNA

Portugal – VOIDWOMB

Hungary – TURBOWITCH

Romania & Rep. Moldova – DOOMSDAY ASTRONAUT

Greece – JUNKWOLVZ

Norway – TESSIA

Poland – AQUILLA

China – FIVE PENALTIES

Canada – BEGUILER

Belgium – POSEYDON

13. May 2024

First 10 bands announced

20 years of W:O:A Metal Battle! Not only have we invited various winners from the past to celebrate the anniversary, but of course there will also be 30 finalists from all over the world competing for this year’s @wackenmetalbattle.official crown!

The first 10 final rounds around the globe have already taken place and we can therefore introduce you to the first 10 winners who will advance to the international final round at W:O:A 2024.

Please welcome:
from Caucasia & Türkiye – @blacktooth_tr
from Central America – @fleshless_entity
from Indian sub-continent – @kasck_thrash
from Japan – @jpndjentthall_paramena
from Luxembourg – @aeonik_band
from South America Northern region – @maquinainfo
from Saudi Arabia – @wastedlandofficial
from Ukraine – @karabinerthrash
from Sub Saharan Africa region – @sunken_state
from Netherlands – @inheritedband

Congratulations to everyone! The next 10 finalists will be announced very soon!

6. April 2024

Southern German Semi-Finals Announced

The Southern German Wacken Metal Battle Semi-Finals are set to ignite Chemnitz on May 25, 2024, as part of the vibrant Chemnitz Metal Culture event at @kraftverkehr_entertainment. Fans will witness fierce performances from some of the best emerging metal bands in the region, each vying for a coveted spot at Wacken this summer.

Featuring

@campa_metal
@corbian_official
@divinex_official
@slavepit
@toxictraitsofficial

In addition to the intense musical showdown, the Chemnitz Metal Culture event promises a rich experience for metal enthusiasts, with various activities celebrating the metal genre and community inclduing performances by @official_desertedfear @messticator_metal @calibanofficial and many more bands over 3 days.

Stay tuned to @wackenmetalbattle.official for the latest updates and news from Wacken events around the world.

3. July 2023

All 30 bands are announced.

At the end of May, we already announced the first half of the finalists of this year’s @metalbattle.official. Now the very last national preliminary round ended and we have all the 30 bands.

Here are the bands ready to fight for victory on the Holy Ground in 30 days:

CountryBand NameArgentinaNVLO@nvlo.metalAustralia & New ZealandDeprivation@deprivationbandAustriaMetternich@metternich.rocksBelgiumObjector@objectorbandBulgariaMaltworm@maltwormdeathmetalCanadaStrigampire@strigampireCaribbeanLEFT-ÖVR@leftovrbandCaucasia & TurkiyeBlack Tooth@blacktooth_trDenmarkSwartzheim@swartzheimEx Yugoslavia RepMesmera@mesmerabandFinlandOmnivortex@omnivortexofficialFranceXaon@xaon.officialHungaryTiansen@tiansenbandIcelandKrownest@krownest_bandIsraelAndrelamusia@andrelamusia_bandItalyDisesanera@diesanera.officialJapanPhantom Excaliver@phantomexcaliverPhilippinesRedeemed By The Blood@redeemedbythebloodphLatviaSever@sever.bandLithuaniaDeath In Taiga@deathintaigaMexicoHorrid Sight@horridsightMiddle EastErasing Mankind@erasing.mankindNorwayGhetto Ghouls@ghettoghoulscrewRomaniaBlacksheep@blacksheeprollSouthern AfricaMiddle Grounds@middlegroundsbandSpainAneuma@aneuma_bandSwedenMisery Oath@misery_oathUkraine0% Mercury@zeropercentmercuryUruguayForastero Western Metal @forastero.uyUSAFadrait@fadrait


Congratulations to all participating bands on making it into the finals. We are looking forward to welcoming all of these talents to the holy ground soon!

#woa2023#wackenopenair#fasterharderlouder#rainorshine#holyground#metalbattle#metalbattle2023