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ABOUT:

For the last 5 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2024 will be the 33rd edition of the festival and will be held from July 31 – Aug 3rd. The 2024 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Scorpions, Amon Amarth, Blind Guardian, In Extremo, Pain, Beast In Black and many more. Details here.

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 move on to perform at the 33rd edition of Wacken Open Air, and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle.  All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

For more info on Wacken Metal Battle USA, please visit these links:

Official Website: http://www.metalbattleusa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wacken-Metal-Battle-USA-191594501261212/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA 

For more info on Wacken Open Air, please visit http://www.wacken.com

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ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL W:O:A METAL BATTLE

Wacken Metal Battle is an international band contest, established in 2004, that aims at discovering new talent and supporting the scene worldwide. With this, the Wacken Open Air supports up & coming artists on a global scale, offering its resources and stages.

The Metal Battle has grown to include 62 countries that hold national heats and are eligible to send the winners to Wacken. An international jury votes on the performances, the best groups receive financial support from the Wacken Foundation as well as instruments and equipment provided by Metal Battle’s partners. Last but not least, the contest offers the possibility to get in touch with people from the music business worldwide. The contest has supported several bands throughout the years and has been a pivotal career launchpad for bands like Drone, Torture Squad, Battle Beast and Hammercult, to name a few.

REGISTRATION

  • All bands, that wish to participate in the Metal Battle, must read the following rules and guidelines. Bands who send in an application automatically agree to the rules and terms.

Applications at https://www.metal-battle.com/countries/

THE RULES OF THE WACKEN METAL BATTLE

  • Bands can only apply in their respective countries.
  • Your band doesn’t have a Record deal and isn’t about to sign to a label in the near future.
  • Your band can easily play a 30-minute set consisting of your own songs.
  • Using Audio Samples in Live performance is allowed.
  • You’re not a band that won former, which means the year before, Metal Battle heats.
  • Bands that participated in the years before, but didn’t win any of the regional heats may re-apply.
  • Bands that won national or international finals can’t participate anymore
  • All performing members of bands need to have a valid passport to travel to Germany. The passport needs to be valid for 6 Months before they intend to fly to Germany to get their Visa.
  • German Visas must be obtained in their respective German Consulates in your country of performance
  • All travel for heat & international travel is to be paid for by the band itself.
  • Wacken Open Air provides FOH & LD for the band. Hence having your own FOH & LD will not be allowed.