THE BEAST

Wacken Metal Battle USA 2025: Battle Rounds & Bands Announced for the Ultimate Metal Showdown

One Band to Conquer Them All and Play Wacken Open Air

Wacken Metal Battle USA is gearing up for its 2025 competition, and the stakes are higher than ever. The country’s most prestigious battle of the bands will crown one unsigned metal band the champion, sending them to perform at the legendary Wacken Open Air Festival in Wacken, Germany – one of the largest and most iconic metal festivals in the world, attracting over 80,000 attendees annually.

The Wacken Open Air Festival 2025 will take place from July 30th – August 2nd, and this year’s event promises to be unforgettable with headliners including Machine Head , Gojira , Dimmu Borgir , Saxon , and many more. The festival is already sold out, making this competition even more important for up-and-coming bands seeking international exposure.

Battle Rounds and Locations: The Wacken Metal Battle USA will host multiple rounds across the country, bringing metalheads together to cheer on their favorite up-and-coming bands. The national final will take place on June 21st, 2025, in Clifton, NJ at Dingbatz .

Here’s a sneak peek at the WMBU 2025 battle schedule:

Texas Battles:

• Jan 31 - Dallas, TX – Trees w/ IH8, Dead Stereo, Vein, Gravehuffer, Divide, From the Grave
• Feb 1 - Dallas, TX – Trees w/ Lyric Noel, Wolvera, The Funeral Procession, Oklahoma Blood, Hand Over Fist
• Feb 2 - Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
• Feb 8 - Houston, TX – BFE Rock Club
• Feb 22 - San Antonio, TX – Rock Box
• Feb 23 - Corpus Christi, TX – House of Rock
• March 9 - Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live

California Dates:

• Feb 8 – Oakland, CA – Toot’s Tavern w/ Taunted, Midnight Mass, Dev1ous
• Feb 22 – Santa Ana, CA – Stages w/ Mourning High, Kumsumption, Against The Sun, Vendetta XIII
• March 22 – Sacramento, CA – On The Y w/ Way II Stoned, Rail Rage, Exacto, O’Craven

Maryland Battles:

• Feb 8 – Catonsville, MD – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Omen//Skye, Voids, For Fear Itself, Nights Edge
• March 1 – Catonsville, MD – Morsbergers Tavern w/ Dying Oath, Bedroom Floor, Traverse The Abyss

New Jersey Battles:

• Feb 28 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz w/ Prime Prophecy, Gore, Psilo, PERN, Before I Die, Youth Death Club
• March 1 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz w/ Deadly Ascension, Falsify, Jackpipe, Ultraviolet, FireHaze

New York Battles:

• March 6 – Brooklyn, NY – Woodshop Brooklyn
• March 7 – Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon

Florida Battles:

• March 15 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug w/ Wirethrone, Varanger, Nocturnal Dawn, Claux
• April 19 – Tampa, FL – The Brass Mug w/ Pontifex, Othalan, Nibiru

Washington & Oregon Battles:

• March 28 – Seattle, WA – The Funhouse
• March 29 – Portland, OR – Dante’s

The WMBU competitions have already attracted fierce competition from local and national metal acts looking to secure their place in this prestigious contest. Bands like 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) have earned their spot in Wacken through the previous editions of the WMBU competition.

What the Winner Gets: The winner of the 2025 Wacken Metal Battle USA will be rewarded with an unforgettable prize package that includes:

• A slot to perform at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival in Wacken, Germany.
• Full professional backline provided for the performance.
• $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
• VIP camping at the festival for the band.

The Wacken Metal Battle USA is not only a chance to play at Wacken Open Air but a great opportunity to gain exposure on an international level, network with industry professionals, and make a mark in the global metal community.

The Battle to Win: The Wacken Metal Battle USA has become a key moment for the underground metal scene, giving unsigned bands an incredible platform to showcase their talents. Whether they’re a thrashing powerhouse, an atmospheric doom act, or a tech-heavy death metal band, every act has a chance to make it to Wacken Open Air.

Get Ready to Rock! The competition will be fierce, the energy will be high, and the rewards are unprecedented. If you’re a fan of metal, make sure to check out the local battles and support the unsigned acts that could soon be rocking the biggest stage in the world.

For more information about Wacken Metal Battle USA, the participating bands, and the upcoming events, visit:

• Official Website: Metal -Battle.com
• Facebook: Facebook.com /metalbattleusa.official
• Twitter: @MetalBattleUSA
• Instagram: @metalbattleusa.official

Join the Battle – One Band to Rule Them All!