For the past eight years of battles (2017–2019, 2022–2026), Wacken Metal Battle USA has held nationwide rounds to crown one independent metal band and send them to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. The festival marked its 30th anniversary in 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 editions canceled due to COVID. As the global metal community continues to surge, Wacken Open Air 2027 will celebrate its 36th edition from July 28–31, and is already sold out. More than 50 bands have been announced, including Electric Callboy, Five Finger Death Punch, Helloween, Heaven Shall Burn, Halestorm, DragonForce, Napalm Death, Jinjer, Knocked Loose, Kanonenfieber, Belphegor, Dethklok, and Blue Medusa, among others. Full details here.
Previous WMBU national winners: Gannondrof (2026 – San Diego), Mourning High (2025 – Southern California / Arizona), Cascade Effect (2024 – San Diego), Fadrait (2023 – San Diego), Mythraeum (2022 – San Diego), Monarch (2019 – San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 – Anaheim), and Corpse Hoarder (2017 – Philadelphia).
The 2027 WMBU champion will receive the following:
– A slot at the 2027 Wacken Open Air Festival.
– Full professional backline provided.
– $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
– VIP camping at the festival.
Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition in which bands from across the country battled for the chance to join more than 30 other national champions and represent the USA in a global clash of rising talent at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival, Wacken Open Air. For over a decade, these battles have been hosted at the festival, giving independent bands the opportunity to showcase their power on an international stage and compete for multiple prizes.
How it works:
Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will advance to perform at Wacken Open Air 2027 and compete against the winners of international bands from around the globe in a major international battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.
