BornBroken to Rock Wacken Open Air 2026
Wacken Metal Battle Canada has officially crowned its 2026 champions, BornBroken. The Montreal-based metal band is set to take the stage at the renowned Wacken Open Air festival on July 29th, performing on the Headbangers Stage.
Performance Details
- Stage: Headbangers Stage
- Date: Wednesday, July 29th
- Time: 12:15 PM – 12:35 PM (CEST GMT+2)
Latest Album: “Am I Invisible”
BornBroken’s latest release, “Am I Invisible,” is available in both vinyl and digital formats. Check it out through the following links:
- Music Video: [Watch here]
- Bandcamp: bornbroken.bandcamp.com
- Vinyl: loudtrax.com
- Digital Album: ffm.to
- YouTube Album Stream: youtube.com
- More Info: linktr.ee/bornbroken
About Winning Wacken Metal Battle Canada
After a fierce competition featuring four standout bands—BORNBROKEN (Montreal, QC), ASHES OF YGGDRASIL (Lloydminster, AB/SK), EMPALEMENT (Victoria, BC), and GRAVEARTH (Oshawa, ON)—BornBroken emerged victorious at the national final held on May 9th in Montreal. The event took place at Piranha Bar, where the bands showcased their talents before a panel of industry veterans.
Judging Panel
The judging panel featured notable figures including:
- Luc Laine (CFLX 95.5 FM – Alerte Metallique)
- Pierre Beaubien (CIBL 101.5 FM – Décibel Métal)
- Andrew Wieler (CJLO 1690 AM – Metal Director)
- Kaje Annihilatrix (Promoter, Freelance Metal Writer, Asher Media)
- Dany Soucy (Nova Spei, Bam&Co-Heavy Label, Trois-Rivières Metalfest)
- Patrick Loisel (Augury)
As the champions, BornBroken will represent Canada at the 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air and compete in the international Wacken Metal Battle, where bands from over 30 countries will clash.
Band Reflections
JJ Tartaglia, organizer of WMBC, expressed his excitement: “Congrats to BornBroken; they are sure to tear it up at Wacken this summer and do Canada proud!”
Mike Decker, guitarist and vocalist of BornBroken, shared his feelings about the win:
“Winning the Canadian Wacken Metal Battle still hasn’t fully sunk in. We’ve spent years grinding through clubs, hauling gear through snowstorms, playing to half-empty rooms, and fighting for every inch as a band, so this means more to us than we can really put into words. To now represent Canada at Wacken Open Air is something we will never take for granted.”
Decker further acknowledged the support from fans, family, and fellow bands, stating:
“We feel like we’re carrying a piece of every one of those bands with us onto that stage in Germany. In our eyes, everyone who stepped into this battle and gave it everything they had is a winner.”
Wacken Metal Battle Overview
The Wacken Metal Battle is an international competition aimed at promoting unsigned metal bands. Each nation selects its top talent to compete at the iconic Wacken Open Air festival, which attracts a massive audience and serves as a launchpad for emerging artists.
About Wacken Open Air
Wacken Open Air is recognized as the largest heavy metal festival globally. It began in 1990 with just 800 attendees and has grown to welcome around 85,000 fans each year. The festival transforms the small village of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein into a hub for metal enthusiasts.
Conclusion
BornBroken’s triumphant win in the Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2026 signals a bright future for the band as they prepare for their performance at Wacken Open Air. With their hard work and dedication, they not only aim to entertain but also to make Canada proud on an international stage.
FAQs
When and where will BornBroken perform at Wacken Open Air?
BornBroken will perform on July 29th at the Headbangers Stage from 12:15 PM to 12:35 PM (CEST).
How can I listen to BornBroken’s latest album?
The album “Am I Invisible” is available on Bandcamp, vinyl, and various digital platforms. You can also stream it on YouTube.
What is the Wacken Metal Battle?
The Wacken Metal Battle is an international contest for unsigned metal bands, culminating in a performance at the Wacken Open Air festival, showcasing fresh talent from around the world.
What is Wacken Open Air?
Wacken Open Air is the largest heavy metal festival in the world, held annually in Wacken, Germany, attracting metal fans from across the globe.
