For over a decade at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival Wacken Open Air, independent metal bands from around the globe have been performing in front of thousands and competing against one another for one to be crowned champion of the world along with winning multiple prizes. For the fourth year, Wacken Metal Battle USA is returning to America and will be hosting qualifying rounds in select cities across the nation. The national champion of those battles will perform at 31st edition of the festival taking place from July 30th – August 1st, 2020 in Wacken, Germany. The sold-out 2020 Wacken Open Air line-up includes Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Amon Amarth, Sodom, Annihilator, Overkill, Venom, Sick of It All, Nervosa, U.D.O., Hypocrisy, Death Angel, Beast In Black, At The Gates and many more. Details here.

Unsigned bands interested in participating for 2020 battles, can apply at the following link until November 30, 2019 at 11:59 PM PST. 

Application link: https://metalbattleusa.com/apply/

About:

Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and representing the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken, Germany for the last 30 years. The winner of Wacken Metal Battle USA will perform at the 2020 festival taking place from July 30th – August 1st.

2020 battles will be held in Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ, Inland Empire, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Oakland, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Atlanta, GA, New Orleans, LA, Las Vegas, NV, New York City, NY, Portland, OR, Austin, TX, Fort Worth, TX, San Antonio, TX, Houston, TX, Seattle, WA with more to be announced.

Concert promoters interested in hosting a Wacken battle in their city can apply at this link: https://metalbattleusa.com/promoter-application-for-wacken-metal-usa-battles/

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 31st 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.

Rules: https://metalbattleusa.com/rules/

Last year’s 2019 national final was hosted in Los Angeles, CA and featured Dissentience (Winners, East Coast), Monarch (Winners, West Coast), Nahaya (Winners, Texas), Toxic Ruin (Winners, Chicago), Violence System (Winners, Atlanta) whom were selected from over a hundred bands that participated in battles across the USA.

2019 – WMBU Winner
Monarch (San Diego, CA)
Video – Live at Wacken 2019 here.

2018 – WMBU Winner
VOICES OF RUIN (Anaheim, CA)

2017 – WMBU Winner
CORPSE HOARDER (Philadelphia, PA)
Video – Live at Wacken 2017 here.

For more info:
MetalBattleUSA.com
Facebook.com/MetalBattleUSA
Instagram.com/MetalBattleUSA
Twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA
Wacken Open Air – Wacken.com

Sponsors / Partners:
MetalAssault.com
MetalDevastationRadio.com
MetalMasterKingdom.com
Metal-Rules.com
PureGrainAudio.com
PureRockRadio.net
Dungeon Works Productions
Asher Media Relations
Fatal Illness Management
Come And Take It Productions
Mosh Pit Army
Masquerade Atlanta
Saint Vitus