The W:O:A Metal Battle, founded in 2004, is designed to boost the next generation of Heavy Metal and Rock musicians. 26 different countries take part in the Metal Battle, and each have their own competitions before the final competition at Wacken Open Air, the largest metal festival in the world with over 75,000 attendees, in Germany in August 2010. Winners will be selected by the contest's jury based on quality, not on superficial facts. The final winner will receive a worldwide recor>...
The W:O:A Metal Battle, founded in 2004, is designed to boost the next generation of Heavy Metal and Rock musicians. 26 different countries take part in the Metal Battle, and each have their own competitions before the final competition at Wacken Open Air, the largest metal festival in the world with over 75,000 attendees, in Germany in August 2010. Winners will be selected by the contest's jury based on quality, not on superficial facts. The final winner will receive a worldwide record deal with Wacken Music and endorsement deals with Washburn and Eden.
Each country has their own preliminary contest and winners will be selected from each. All bands must enter the contest through their own home country and must be unsigned. The preliminary will vary from country to country and may or may not include a live performance portion. Winners from each country will go out to perform on the WET Stage at Wacken Open Air and may be eligible to receive special endorsement deals and other prizes.
To Participate:
- Your band can'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 did not win a heat in 2009.
- You may re-apply if you competed last year, but did not win a regional heat.
The Metal Battle endorsees include Mapex, Marshall, Eden, Washburn. The prizes for 2010 have not yet been confirmed, but 2009's prize pack included a Mapex Meridian drum kit, a Washburn guitar, Paiste cymbals, a Marshall JVM head, and more.
Selected bands will have the chance to play in a qualifying heat in their home country and perhaps go on to perform live at the world's largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air. It's a great chance to socialize and network with other bands and people from the music business. Bands demonstrating long-term promotional compaigns and extensive performance experience will have the best chance of competing and winning in the W:O:A Metal Battle.
In 2004, Germany's Reckless Tide won the first metal battle and landed a record deal with the W:O:A-owned Label Armaggeddon Music. Subsequent winners are well known in today's business and include Gorilla Monsoon (Germany), Drone (Germany), Torture Squad (Brazil), The Fading (Israel), and Crypsys (Spain).
Full list of participating countries:
Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Ex-Yugoslavian Republics, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Great Britain
About Wacken Open Air:
Founded in 1990 as a small event for local German bands, Wacken Open Air has grown to be the world's premier metal festival. About 70,000 people attend the three day festival every year, which regularly features the biggest names in metal. The 2009 festival featured bands like Bloodwork, Bullet for my Valentine, Coheed and Cambria, DragonForce, GWAR, HammerFall, Heaven & Hell, In Flames, Lacuna Coil, Motörhead, Napalm Death, Nevermore, Swashbuckle, Testament, and many more.