Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2025: Edmonton Round and Band Announcements
Introduction to Wacken Metal Battle Canada
After a record-breaking year of submissions from independent bands across Canada, Wacken Metal Battle Canada (WMBC) is excited to unveil the lineup for this year’s Calgary rounds and the Edmonton round. The competition is fierce as unsigned Canadian bands vie for a coveted spot at the prestigious Wacken Open Air Festival, one of the largest metal festivals globally, set to take place from July 30th to August 2nd, 2025, in Wacken, Germany.
Event Details
The national final is scheduled for May 31st, 2025, at The Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, BC.
2025 Canadian Wacken Battles Overview
Edmonton Round
Date: March 6, 2025
Location: Starlite Room
Competing Bands: The Judge The Juror, Rättylsnäke, Decrepitation, Product of Anger, Velvet Concord
Calgary Rounds
Round 1: March 6, 2025 – Dickens
Bands: Beyond Suffering, Godfall, Passing Pluto, Victoria Lies
Event Info: Facebook Event
Round 2: March 20, 2025 – Dickens
Bands: GOAR, Our Last Crusade, Per Velum, Valence
Event Info: Facebook Event
Alberta Final: April 18, 2025 – Calgary – Dickens
Montreal Rounds
Round 1: February 7, 2025 – Piranha Bar
Bands: Chaotic Symbios (QC), Last Dance Among Wolves (MTL), Red Raven Chaos (MTL), Stadaconé (MTL)
Winner: Stadaconé
Event Info: Stadaconé’s Page
Round 2: February 28, 2025 – Piranha Bar
Bands: Hatred Reigns (Ottawa), Wooden (MTL), Odd Times (MTL), Soulthief (Ottawa)
Event Info: Facebook Event
Round 3: March 7, 2025 – Piranha Bar
Bands: Demonius (MTL), Forbidden Order (MTL), CHÜZO (MTL), Sovereign Council (Ottawa)
Event Info: Facebook Event
Montreal Final: April 11, 2025 – Piranha Bar
British Columbia Rounds
Round 1: March 1, 2025 – The Cobalt, Vancouver
Bands: DeathBound, NIGHTOWL, Utility Provider, Nokturna, Burnt Lung
Event Info: Facebook Event
BC Interior Round: March 2, 2025 – Jackknife Brewing, Kelowna
Bands: Dendros, Burn It All, Gregorious, Nomad, Storm The Empire
Event Info: Facebook Event
Round 2: March 22, 2025 – The Cobalt, Vancouver
Bands: Iron Kingdom, Ashen Pall, Heathanz Sinz, Killing Twins, TIVR
Event Info: Facebook Event
Vancouver Island Round: March 30, 2025 – Lucky Bar, Victoria
Bands: YEGG, Electric Druids, Decryptor, Gate Theory, Antler
Event Info: Facebook Event
BC Final: May 3, 2025 – The Cobalt, Vancouver
Ontario Rounds
Round 1: January 10, 2025 – Rum Runners, London
Bands: Atria (guest headliner), Death Club, Dead Days, 4HateU8
Winner: Dead Days
Event Info: Dead Days’ Page
Round 2: January 24, 2025 – Main Stage Rehearsal, Hamilton
Bands: The Good Depression, Killotine, Zero Tolerance, Devilz By Definition, Zero End
Winner: Killotine
Event Info: Killotine’s Page
Round 3: January 25, 2025 – Hard Luck, Toronto
Bands: Pillars of Autumn, Ischemic, Purveyor of Chaos, Unkle Skurvey
Winner: Ischemic
Event Info: Ischemic’s Page
Round 4: February 1, 2025 – Hard Luck, Toronto
Bands: Seagrave, Nepenthe, Panic Response, The Animal Warfare Act
Winner: Nepenthe
Event Info: Nepenthe’s Page
Ontario Final: March 21, 2025 – Rivoli, Toronto
Bands: Nepenthe, Ischemic, Killotine, Dead Days, +1 more TBA
Ticket Link: WMBC Ticket
Prizes for the Champion
The winner of the 2025 WMBC will receive:
- A performance slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
- Full professional backline provided.
- $1,000 CAD towards flights to Germany.
- VIP camping at the festival.
Conclusion
The Wacken Metal Battle Canada continues to be a significant platform for emerging metal bands in the country. With rounds scheduled across multiple cities, the competition promises to showcase the diverse talent within the Canadian metal scene. As bands prepare to battle for the chance to perform at the iconic Wacken Open Air Festival, fans can expect an exhilarating lineup of performances in the lead-up to the national final.
FAQs
What is the Wacken Metal Battle Canada?
The Wacken Metal Battle Canada is an annual competition where independent Canadian bands compete for a chance to perform at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany, one of the world’s largest metal festivals.
How are the bands judged?
Each battle round is judged by respected local music industry representatives, ensuring a fair assessment of the performances.
When and where is the national final held?
The national final will take place on May 31, 2025, at The Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, BC.
What are the prizes for the winning band?
The winning band will secure a performance slot at the Wacken Open Air Festival, receive financial assistance for flights, and enjoy VIP camping at the event.
How can I find out more about the events?
For more details on specific events and participating bands, visit the official Wacken Metal Battle Canada website or their social media channels.
