San Diego, February 1, 2026
The Wacken Metal Battle USA has announced the cities and bands participating in the upcoming 2026 competition dedicated to discovering independent metal talent. The national final will take place in San Diego, CA, offering opportunities for winners to perform at the renowned Wacken Open Air Festival. This event continues to highlight the vibrant metal scene across multiple American cities, showcasing diverse talent.
Wacken Metal Battle USA Announces 2026 Battle Cities and Bands
San Diego, CA – Wacken Metal Battle USA has unveiled the cities and participating bands for the 2026 competition, aiming to discover and promote independent metal talent across the nation. The national final is scheduled for June 13, 2026, in San Diego, CA.
Competition Details
The 2026 Wacken Metal Battle USA champion will receive:
- A slot at the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival.
- Full professional backline provided.
- $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
- VIP camping at the festival.
Participating Cities and Bands
The battles will be hosted in the following cities, with the respective participating bands:
- San Diego, CA: Cascade Effect, Fadrait, Mythraeum, Monarch, Voices of Ruin, Corpse Hoarder
- Los Angeles, CA: Mourning High
- San Francisco, CA: Prime Prophecy
- Portland, OR: What’s Wrong
- Miami, FL: Pontifex
- New York, NY: Firehaze
- Houston, TX: Broken Time
Previous Winners
The Wacken Metal Battle USA has a history of showcasing emerging metal talent. Notable past winners include:
- 2025: Mourning High (Southern California/Arizona)
- 2024: Cascade Effect (San Diego, CA)
- 2023: Fadrait (San Diego, CA)
- 2022: Mythraeum (San Diego, CA)
- 2019: Monarch (San Diego, CA)
- 2018: Voices of Ruin (Anaheim, CA)
- 2017: Corpse Hoarder (Philadelphia, PA)
For more information and updates, visit the official Wacken Metal Battle USA website.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition Name | Wacken Metal Battle USA 2026 |
| National Final Date | June 13, 2026 |
| Location of National Final | San Diego, CA |
| Prize for Winning Band | Slot at 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival, full professional backline, $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany, VIP camping at the festival |
| Participating Cities | San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Houston, TX |
| Participating Bands | Cascade Effect, Fadrait, Mythraeum, Monarch, Voices of Ruin, Corpse Hoarder, Mourning High, Prime Prophecy, What’s Wrong, Pontifex, Firehaze, Broken Time |
| Past Winners | Mourning High (2025), Cascade Effect (2024), Fadrait (2023), Mythraeum (2022), Monarch (2019), Voices of Ruin (2018), Corpse Hoarder (2017) |
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