THE BEAST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA ANNOUNCES 2025 NATIONAL FINAL — SIX BANDS. ONE WINNER. ONE STAGE IN GERMANY.

June 12, 2025 | Montreal, QC — After nearly six months of intense competition across the United States, Wacken Metal Battle USA has officially announced the 2025 National Final — set to take place Saturday, June 21st at the legendary Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey.

With hundreds of bands participating in over 40 qualifying battles since January, only six elite contenders remain to face off for a chance at the ultimate prize: a performance slot at the sold-out Wacken Open Air 2025 in Germany — the world’s largest metal festival, attended by over 80,000 fans .

The 2025 WMBU National Finalists are:

Prime Prophecy – New Jersey Winner

What’s Wrong – Pacific Northwest Winner

Pontifex – Florida Winner

FireHaze – East Coast Final Winner

Mourning High – West Coast Winner

Broken Time – Texas Winner

The champion will receive:

A coveted performance slot at Wacken Open Air 2025 (July 30 – August 2)

Full professional backline provided at the festival

$1,000 USD toward travel expenses to Germany

VIP camping at the festival

These finalists will be judged by a panel of industry professionals, including Jeff Buttermark (FM Management), Shawn Quinn (Napalm Records), and others to be announced.

“Another successful battle is nearing its conclusion,” says Eric Dow , WMBU national organizer. “I can't wait to see which band takes the crown and represents the US on the Holy Ground. Massive thanks to Jon Asher, Chris Cannella, and all the promoters, venues, judges, media, fans, and especially the bands. Nearly 200 bands, 40 battles—and now, the final 6 at Dingbatz!”

🎥 Watch the WMBU Trailer :

Meet the Finalists:

🔥 Broken Time (Texas)
Modern metalcore from Temple, TX. Known for blending heavy riffs with melodic and progressive elements.
🎥 “Conscious” : Watch Video
🔗 Facebook

🔥 FireHaze (East Coast)
Cuban-American fusion of melodic death, thrash, and groove. A North Jersey underground favorite.
🎥 “Rotten” (Live) : Watch Video
🔗 Facebook

🔥 Mourning High (West Coast)
A rising thrash act with viral traction and retro flair, built on lifelong friendship and relentless energy.
🎥 “F.F.Y.L” (Live) : Watch Video
🔗 Facebook

🔥 Pontifex (Florida)
Symphonic black/death metal formed in 2024 in Orlando. Theatrical, cinematic, and heavy.
🎥 “From The Pale Mist” (Lyric Video) : Watch Video
🔗 Facebook

🔥 Prime Prophecy (New Jersey)
Brooklyn-based progressive metal veterans celebrating 20 years of emotionally charged, symphonic storytelling.
🎥 “Memories From The Past” : Watch Video
🔗 Website

🔥 What’s Wrong (Pacific Northwest)
Seattle metalcore/post-hardcore juggernauts with a dynamic sound and powerful live presence.
🎥 “Singularity” : Watch Video
🔗 Links

About Wacken Metal Battle USA

Since 2017, WMBU has provided a platform for unsigned American metal bands to compete for a chance to perform at Wacken Open Air —the holy grail of metal festivals. Part of a global initiative involving over 30 countries , the competition serves as a launchpad for bands aiming to take their sound international.

Notable U.S. winners include:

Cascade Effect (2024)

Fadrait (2023)

Mythraeum (2022)

Monarch (2019)

Voices of Ruin (2018)

Corpse Hoarder (2017)

Wacken Open Air 2025 , already sold out, features a monumental lineup with acts like Gojira , Papa Roach , Machine Head , Dimmu Borgir , Ministry , Saxon , and more.

🌍 metalbattleusa.com
📱 Facebook | Instagram | X

Presented By:

Fatal Illness Management
Asher Media Relations
Bravewords.com
MetalDevastationRadio
Metal-Rules.com
GhostCultMag.com
V13.net
Come And Take It Productions
Brick By Brick
TMI Collaborations
Piox Promotions
East Coast Metal Mayhem
Tampa Bay Metal Scene
Last Light Presents
Dean Guitars
Dingbatz

Contact:
Eric Dow – National Organizer
Contact via MetalBattleUSA.com

#WackenMetalBattleUSA #WMBU2025 #Dingbatz #WackenOpenAir #MetalBattle #UnsignedBands #SupportUndergroundMetal