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ABOUT:

For the last 4 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022), 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 2023 will be the 32nd edition of the festival and will be held from August 2nd to 5th. The 2023 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Iron Maiden, Megadeth, The Dropkick Murphys, Wardruna, Jinjer, Beartooth, Trivium, Kataklysm 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 32nd 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

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.

THE PROCEDURE

The Metal Battle is at least a two phase contest.

  1. In every country there is an initial contest that – if necessary – lead to a national final.
  2. The winner from each country will participate in the international final which will take place on the WET STAGE & HEADBANGER STAGE (inside the Bullhead City Circus) during the W:O:A festival.
  3. Bands have to travel to the heats and finals at their own expense.

PARTICIPATION

  • Your band doesn’t have a 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.
  • You’re not a band that won former, which means the year before, Metal Battle heats.
  • Bands, that participated 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
  • Please send your application (3-4 songs, photo, band info and contact address) to the address of your National Promoter Departement.
Stages at Wacken Open Air

ABOUT THE W:O:A METAL BATTLE

The Metal Battle has been taken place all around the world since 2004. Since then it brings together the worldwide metal scenes at the Wacken Open Air. The contest supported several bands at their starting point of their career, e.g. Drone, Torture Squad, Battle Beast and Hammercult.

THE BATTLE

The Metal Battle is an international music contest, which strives to support young, unsigned Metalbands from the underground. That’s the reason why the Metal Battle grew and more than 40 countries joined the competition. Countries like Canada, Mexico, South Africa, the Middle East, Bulgaria, China, Japan (just to name a few) entered this worldwide network to figure out one band that represents their local scene at the international final round at the Wacken Open Air.

Traditionally the final takes place at the WET Stage and the Headbanger’s Stage of the W:O:A. The bands do have the option to give hell to the audience of the biggest metal festival in the world and to show them what metal is about in their home country.
In the end the jury will select a “top 5” and the bands will be rewarded with material and cash prizes.

Also the Metal Battle final at the W:O:A will be a forum for all participating bands where they can get in touch with producers, manager, booking agents and labels. So the Metal Battle gives a chance to all participating bands to establish contacts which can be useful for their musical future.

WANT TO BE PART OF IT? HERE IS HOW IT WORKS!

PARTICIPATION

  • Your band doesn’t have a 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.
  • You’re not a band that won former, which means the year before, Metal Battle heats.
  • Bands, that participated 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
  • Please send your application (Demo CD with 3-4 songs, photo, band info and contact address) to the address of your National Promoter Departement.

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.

THE PROCEDURE

The Metal Battle is at least a two phase contest.

  1. In every country there is an initial contest that – if necessary – lead to a national final.
  2. The winner from each country will participate in the international final which will take place on the WET STAGE & HEADBENGER STAGE (inside the Bullhead City Circus) during the W:O:A festival.
  3. Bands have to travel to the heats and finals at their own expense.

THE GUIDELINES FOR ALL STAGES OF THE COMPETITION JURY

  • The promoters will name at least three respected people from the music business to act as judges. There is no public vote.

EQUIPMENT AND “ONSTAGE” RULES

  • The promoters will provide the P.A. and the lighting equipment every band will then use.
  • Every country is responsible for it’s backline specification. Please send any enquiries to the corresponding / contact person.
  • The promoters provide all lighting and audio engineers.
  • The bands bring their own instruments such as guitars, bass, keyboards and effect pedals and may also bring and use their own guitar amps.
  • To keep the changeover times as short as possible, bands with left handed drummers will play as first or last band. All bands have to follow the directions given by the promoters or stage manager.
  • Semi playback is not allowed. All bands must play live.
  • The performance time for each band is at least 20 minutes.
  • If a band overruns its allotted performance-time, then the band-members should be aware of the fact, that in this case their sound will be faded out.
  • The running order for the concert will be released a few days before the event takes place.