Search Results: festival

• WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Opens Band Submissions - One Band To Conquer Them All & Play WACKEN OPEN AIR 2026

  Oct 1, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  One Band To Conquer Them All! After another successful year in 2025, to send one unsigned and independent American to play the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air, Wacken Metal Battle USA announces submissions for the 2026 battle are now open as of October 1st until December 1st.

  "I am beyond stoked to bring back the Wacken Metal Battle to the US. Every year we get invited to participate is an opportunity to grow. This year will be no different. We will be bringing back some cities that haven't participated in a few years, and we will be adding at least one new city/state to the competition. Do you have what it takes to represent the US at Wacken? Sign up now!" - Eric Dow - Artist & Promoter Relations.

  American bands interested in participating can apply at https://www.metal-battle.com/countries/ (please select the United States as your country)

  Watch - Wacken Metal Battle 2025 - Aftermovie | Have You Heard the Future of Metal? - https://youtu.be/nCulXiLlaSw​

  Wacken Battle Trailer Video – https://youtu.be/fjMugRXEc5g​

  The 2026 WMBU champion will receive the following:
  - A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  At the 2025 WMBU national finals held this past June at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, Southern California and Arizona-based band ​MOURNING HIGH​ emerged as the seventh champion selected to represent the United States at the prestigious international showdown, Wacken Open Air, that took place from July 30th to August 2nd in Wacken, Germany, where over 185,000 attendees from around the world gathered.

  Mourning High, crowned the West Coast Winner, competed alongside five other standout American bands: ​PRIME PROPHECY (New Jersey), ​WHAT’S WRONG (Pacific Northwest), ​PONTIFEX​ (Florida), ​FIREHAZE (East Coast), and BROKEN TIME (Texas). A panel of seasoned industry professionals, including Jeff Buttermark (FM Management), Shawn Quinn (Napalm Records/FM Management), and Rob Caggiano (formerly of Anthrax and Volbeat), ultimately selected Mourning High as the top U.S. act to perform at the International Wacken Battle.

  Spotify - 2025 WMBU National Finalists Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5q7Or6tHAsWsAGg8zQSVgZ​

  List of previous WMBU national winners: 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).

  For the last 7 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2026 will be the 35th edition of the festival and will be held from July 29th to August 1st. The 2026 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Def Leppard, Lamb Of God, In Flames, Powerwolf, Emperor, Sepultura, and Running Wild, among others. Details here.

  Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among over 55 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:​
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2026 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​
  ​MetalBattleUSA.com​
  ​Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
  ​X.com/MetalBattleUSA​
  ​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official

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• LOUD AS HELL OPEN AIR FESTIVAL Opens Band Submissions For 2026 Line Up - Camping & Extreme Music In Alberta's Badlands

  Sep 30, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  

  Set against the rugged backdrop of Alberta’s badlands, where sculpted sandstone, wind-carved hoodoos, and sweeping canyons dominate the landscape, Canada’s most decibel-breaking extreme music gathering, the Loud As Hell Open Air Festival, returns for its 14th edition in 2026. From July 31st to August 2nd, Drumheller’s Dinosaurs Down Stampede will erupt with the ferocity of rising Canadian and international metal acts, roaring through the heart of the nation’s largest dinosaur fossil beds.

  Band submissions for the 2026 edition officially open on October 1st and will be accepted until October 31st. This is your band's chance to join one of the loudest and most brutal festivals in Canada, where underground talent meets prehistoric fury.

  Bands interested in performing can apply at the following link: https://loudashell.ca/​

  Early Bird tickets go on sale December 1st, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to lock in the loudest weekend of the summer at a killer price. Get ready for prehistoric heaviness and decibel-shattering performances in one of Canada’s most surreal landscapes. Loud As Hell is coming… and it’s going to be louder than ever.

  The 2025 edition of Loud As Hell delivered three relentless days of headbanging, moshing, and pure metal chaos, featuring over 40 bands from Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Acts like Revocation, Insurrection, First Fragment, Gorgatron, Filth, Opal in Sky, Judicator, Beguiler, Gore Pig, Spit On Your Grave, Hazzerd, Cyborg Octopus, and Thirteen Goats tore through the badlands with crushing performances. The festival even hosted a heavy metal wedding, adding a unique twist to the weekend’s sonic carnage.

  LAH 2025 Lineup Spotify Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3cu3CgEX8n2g2MQbADNJmg

  ​

  Since launching in 2012, Loud As Hell Open Air Festival has cemented its place as a cornerstone of Canada’s extreme music scene, showcasing hundreds of bands from across the country and around the world, save for a brief pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, the festival has hosted heavyweights like Beyond Creation, Striker, Green Jelly, The Convalescence, Jungle Rot, Narcotic Wasteland, Into Eternity, Goatwhore, Fit for An Autopsy, Archspire, Unleash The Archers, Protest the Hero, AngelMaker, and many more, drawing metalheads from coast to coast for a weekend of sonic devastation.

  In 2026, Loud As Hell returns for its 14th edition, presented by Loud As Hell Productions, Jurassic Ink Custom Tattoo, Prairie Fire Events, and Asher Media Relations. Renowned for delivering one of the most punishing lineups in Western Canada, the festival promises another unforgettable experience packed with crushing performances, freak shows, burlesque acts, clinics, vendors, and yes, dinosaurs. Loud As Hell isn’t just a festival. It’s a full-throttle celebration of metal mayhem.

  More info:
  ​LoudAsHell.ca​
  ​Facebook.com/LoudAsHellFestival​
  X: @LoudAsHellFest
  Instagram: @LoudAsHellFestival
  ​Social Media Hashtags #LAHXIV, #LAHOA, #LAHOA2026

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• ARMSTRONG METALFEST Opens Band Submissions For 2026 Lineup - The Okanagan’s Ultimate Mountain Mosh Pit Returns

  Sep 29, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Following a landmark celebration of 15 years of extreme metal in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, marked by record-breaking attendance and its most triumphant edition yet, ARMSTRONG METALFEST is officially set to return in 2026 on July 17th and 18th at the Hassen Arena, for two days of moshing, headbanging, and camping.

  Armstrong MetalFest’s 15th year of mountain moshing roared to life with a powerhouse 2025 lineup featuring BORN OF OSIRIS, HAVOK, GLYPH, RIOT CITY, THE BROWNING, VIRVUM, and many more heavy hitters from across Canada and beyond. On July 11th and 12th, the town of Armstrong, BC, was transformed into a metal haven, complete with Yeti Games, the Metal Madness Market, and the chaos of Thrash Wrestling.

  Check out the Armstrong MetalFest 2025 Spotify playlist - https://spoti.fi/4i4u2OV​

  Armstrong MetalFest has also released a promotional video that traces its journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of Canada’s premier metal festivals in British Columbia. Watch the full recap below.

  Band submissions for the 2026 edition of Armstrong MetalFest will be open from October 1st to 15th, inviting artists to become part of the next chapter in the festival’s legendary legacy.

  Interested bands can apply through the official portal: https://armstrongmetalfest.ca/band-submissions/

  "To close the night and the weekend, Born of Osiris delivered a high-octane headline set that tore the roof off. It was the perfect finale to an unforgettable weekend. When the last note rang out, it hit us — AMF 2025 was coming to a close. There's always that bittersweet feeling as you start packing up. But that's the beauty of this festival: it stays with you long after the amps cool down. Every year, Armstrong Metalfest brings together a community that truly loves heavy music. It's not just about bands and beer — it's about belonging. The friends you make, the moments you live, the memories that stick — they're why we keep coming back. If you've never been to AMF, consider this your sign. It's more than a music festival—it's a metal rite of passage. Once you go, it gets into your blood. We're already counting the days until the next one." - Stan Schinners of Broken Neck Radio / Absolute Underground Magazine (Live Review AMF 2025)

  Tickets for AMF 2026 will be announced at a later date, granting general admission and access to the festival grounds, camping area, and arena from 9:00 AM on Friday, July 17, 2026, until 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 18, 2026. Free camping is included.

  Please Note: Camping - RV / Non-Hookup RV / Vehicle Passes: Make sure to reserve your vehicle spot to get the best location on the grounds. A fee is required for a weekend pass per vehicle in addition to your day or weekend pass. RV hookups include water and power. If you choose to park your vehicle outside the camping area in the main parking lot, then a vehicle pass is not required.

  About:

  Since its inception in 2009 (with a brief hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), West Metal Entertainment and Armstrong MetalFest have championed hundreds of local bands while welcoming renowned international acts to the quiet town of Armstrong, British Columbia.
  ​
  Every year, metalheads from across Canada and the U.S. converge on the scenic Okanagan Valley for three days of camping and two days packed with heavy metal mayhem. Under the blazing summer sun, fans revel in live performances, wrestling spectacles, scavenger hunts, and reconnecting with their extended metal family.
  ​
  Armstrong MetalFest has hosted legendary headliners like Kataklysm, Cattle Decapitation, Archspire, Nekrogoblikon, Origin, Rivers of Nihil, Warbringer, Fallujah, Striker, and Beyond Creation, alongside rising stars from across North America. And when the final riff fades, the festival vanishes without a trace, leaving the landscape as untouched as it was before.
  ​
  West Metal Entertainment, a non-profit society, not only produces Armstrong MetalFest annually but also supports the regional music scene by organizing performances at various venues, including all-ages shows, to inspire musical passion in both youth and adults.

  For more info:​
  ​http://www.armstrongmetalfest.ca/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/armstrongmetalfest/​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/armstrongmetalfest/​
  ​
  ​https://x.com/amfcanada

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• SHORES OF NULL Announces UK Tour Dates + Headlining "One For Sorrow Festival"

  Aug 26, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  After playing extensively all over Europe in support of their acclaimed album "The Loss Of Beauty" and their recent live album, "Beauty Over Europe", Italian melancholic dark metal outfit Shores Of Null is thrilled to announce a string of four UK performances. The tour includes a headlining appearance at Plymouth’s One For Sorrow Festival. Joining them on this UK leg will be Lisburn’s own The Crawling. (dates listed below)

  "We always enjoy returning to the UK. In our 12-year career, we have been back here several times and have always found people ready to welcome us. The very first time we played in London was even before we had our debut album out, at Doom Over London in 2013. This time we are returning as headliners for our own tour with The Crawling, and we are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting new ones," adds vocalist Davide Straccione.

  "The Loss of Beauty UK Tour" w/ Shores of Null, The Crawling:
  Aug 28 - The Black Heart - London, UK
  Aug 29 - The Fenton - Leeds, UK
  Aug 30 - One For Sorrow Festival - Plymouth, UK
  Aug 31 - The Gryphon - Bristol, UK

  "Shores Of Null Capture Tour Magic In Beauty Over Europe... Beauty Over Europe is a great listen. Heavy, emotive, engaging, and well-delivered, Shores Of Null fans will love it." - Metal Talk

  Shores of Null's first live album, “Beauty Over Europe,” was released on May 9th, 2025, via Sulphur Music / Masked Dead Records. The live album features 10 tracks recorded during the monumental 2023 European tour with Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium. Throughout that tour, Shores of Null performed 35 shows across 18 countries, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Hungary, bringing their critically acclaimed album "The Loss Of Beauty" to the stage.

  The live recordings, captured in Leipzig, Munich, Aschaffenburg, Budapest, and Belfast, preserve the raw and emotive energy of their performances. Each track reflects the band’s ability to blend melancholic melodies with crushing heaviness, offering fans a visceral live experience.

  "Beauty Over Europe" is both a celebration of the tour and a gift to all fans of the band. Exactly two years after that unforgettable journey, this live album offers a chance to relive the emotional intensity and true essence of Shores Of Null’s live performances.

  Reflecting on the experience, vocalist Davide Straccione and guitarist Gabriele Giacarri share their thoughts:

  "This tour was an incredible journey, the longest in our career, and a true milestone for Shores Of Null. As the promotional tour for The Loss Of Beauty, our latest and most acclaimed album to date, it was an honor to bring these songs to life across 35 shows in 18 countries. Sharing the stage with monumental bands like Swallow The Sun and Draconian—huge inspirations for our music—was unforgettable. Despite the melancholy of their sound, they’re some of the most fun and genuine people we’ve met, and by the end of this epic journey, we were proud to call them friends.

  We owe special thanks to our incredible crew—Petri, Matti, Mikko, and Tero—who ensured everything ran seamlessly and made this experience unforgettable. To pay homage to this extraordinary chapter, we decided to produce a live album. Recorded during key moments of the tour, it captures the essence of these unforgettable performances and is dedicated to all the people who supported us live and shared these magical moments with us.” - Gabriele Giaccari
  ​
  Davide Straccione adds:

  “Our 2023 European tour with Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium was one of the most beautiful and intense experiences of my life. Night after night, we poured everything we had into our performances, connecting deeply with audiences across 18 countries. It was a journey that marked a pivotal moment in our career as a band as well, and one we’ll carry with us forever. This live album is our way of preserving and sharing that beauty, not only as a gift to those who joined us in the crowd, but also for those who couldn’t be there to witness it.”

  Recommended for fans of Swallow The Sun, Borknagar, and Paradise Lost, "Beauty Over Europe" is available at the following links:

  Physical CD: https://maskeddeadrecords.com/product/shores-of-null-beauty-over-europe/
  ​​
  ​Digital: https://shoresofnull.bandcamp.com/album/beauty-over-europe​

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/76lKNyW77arKg42qdDO9Sm​

  For more info: Shoresofnull.com

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• Check Out This Festival Spotify Playlist! Aug 16th - Denver's MILE HIGH POWER FEST 2025 w/ POWERGLOVE, GLYPH, OWLBEAR, EMPRESS, GREYHAWK, CELESTIAL WIZARD and more!

  Aug 12, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  As we count down to this year’s Mile High Power Fest on August 16th at The Oriental Theater in Denver, CO (4335 W 44th Ave), the festival invites you to crank up the volume with a sneak peek of the lineup!

  Featuring epic acts like POWERGLOVE, GLYPH, OWLBEAR, EMPRESS, GREYHAWK, CELESTIAL WIZARD, and many more, immerse yourself in the sound of MHPF with their Spotify playlist.

  Mile High Power Fest 2025 Spotify Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZOTgQVburG34RYN5Aub1C

  [embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3ZOTgQVburG34RYN5Aub1C[/embed]

  Deeply rooted in Denver’s vibrant culture, Mile High Power Festival champions local talent and businesses while providing a stage for rising power metal bands to unleash their sound and seize the spotlight. Like the thunderous clash of steel against the Rocky Mountains, this festival delivers an unforgettable experience, forging connections and showcasing the future of power metal.

  "After an incredible debut in 2024, we’ve taken everything we learned from last year to make 2025 even more exciting. Expect a weekend filled with electrifying performances, an unbeatable atmosphere, and the energy that only power metal can deliver. Whether you’re a devoted fan or new to the scene, this festival is your chance to be part of something truly special. Don’t miss out on the energy, the excitement, and the chance to be part of Denver's next great tradition. Get your tickets now and experience the power for yourself at The Mile High Power Festival 2025—where metal and steel collide with the cold, untamed spirit of the Rocky Mountains!" adds festival co-founder Lucyfer - BiteSize Productions.

  General Admission Tickets ($45 USD) are available at the following link: https://tickets.holdmyticket.com/tickets/444811​

  Featuring headliner Boston's PowerGlove, the very beloved instrumental power metal cover band will present a night of nostalgic tributes to retro video game and television themes. The band released their latest EP, "The Super Smash Bros," in August 2024. Listen at https://spoti.fi/4b2wcvJ​

  They are joined by the Pacific Northwest's Glyph, which is not just a heavy metal band; they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs; they’re building worlds, and they bring it forth in their latest album "Honor, Power, Glory," released in March 2024.

  ​

  Formed in 2020 during a time in which plague stalked the land and time lost all meaning, the core of Owlbear is comprised of North American scene veterans Katheryn Scary (vocals), Jeff Taft (guitars), and Leona Hayward (bass), all of whom hail from different corners of the continent. The band made their live debut at the sold-out Legions of Metal festival in Chicago in 2024 in support of their debut album "Chaos to the Realm" (2023) (Alone Records). Musically, Owlbear draws influence from classic heavy and speed metal and roots their lyrics in the media its members love, from the famous role-playing game that inspired the band’s namesake to the Final Fantasy franchise. Dynamic vocals, frenetic riffing, and bass that are equal parts pummeling and acrobatic drive the band’s relentless approach, and with the imminent release of their sophomore album "Feather & Claw" on February 28th, 2025 via Alone Records, Owlbear aims to continue to carve out its niche within the heavy metal community with a savage swipe of a plumed talon. 

  ​

  Hailing from Philadelphia, Empress is a symphonic power metal quintet that loves weaving grand tales over catchy and triumphant symphonic soundscapes. Their critically acclaimed debut album, titled “Fateweaver,” released in August 2022, which renowned mixing and mastering engineer Dan Swanö has characterized as one of his best works in melodic metal, carefully entwines musical universes and invites you to follow your imagination and fantasy. Among Empress’ remarked past live performances, it is worth mentioning their album release show at Mad With Power Fest in Madison, WI, on the release day of “Fateweaver”, as well as having shared the stage with bands such as Oceans of Slumber, Seven Spires, and Grim Reaper on their journey to conquering the symphonic metal stronghold with sophistication.

  ​

  GREYHAWK, with new singer Anthony Corso at the helm, is ready to bring the power with what will surely be their best performance at Mile High Power Fest! Anyone who has seen this traditional heavy metal titan knows they are in for an incredible set. Their newest album, "Thunderheart," released in April 2024 on Fighter Records, a division of Xtreem Music, has been making waves across the heavy metal and power metal scenes worldwide. 

  ​

  Local hometown heroes, Denver's Celestial Wizard brings a mix of fantasy and heavy metal to the table, giving you a front-row seat to a sci-fi experience unlike any other! The band has been blazing new trails with their aggressive, powerful sound. Pulling from both power metal and death metal, they achieve a melodic, high-intensity mix that hits just right. Their third studio “Regenesis,” was released on July 11th by Scarlet Records. Check out the album's opening track, “Pale Horse”. The song teases the concept of endings and beginnings that is ever present throughout the record. 

  ​

  Also supporting the lineup will be Denver's blackened pagan power metal Oak, Ash & Thorn, who released their latest album "Our Grief Is Thus" in April 2024 on Lost Future Records. The album is a powerful, unique sound that is fully their own, as melodic and memorable as it is heavy and crushing. Now, Oak, Ash & Thorn are taking the next step in their journey by signing with Season of Mist. As they continue to tour in support of their latest album, the band will begin writing what’s bound to be a highly anticipated follow-up. 

  ​

  To open the festival's night, the winners of the 2024 Battle of the Bands for the festival will be Denver locals Viperwitch and Signs of Tranquility. Make sure to come early to the fest to cheer on the local winners!

  In addition to the primary festival night, Mile High Power Fest hosts a pre-party that puts Denver’s local talent in the spotlight. But this isn’t your average showdown—it’s a platform for rising Denver local metal bands to showcase their passion and skill, with the chance to earn a coveted spot on next year’s MHPF lineup. Industry pros from across the country join the fun, offering feedback, mentorship, and networking opportunities that can launch careers. It’s a night of powerful performances, community connections, and metal excellence that sets MHPF apart from every other festival out there.

  Mile High Power Fest 2025 Lineup:​
  Powerglove
  Glyph
  Owlbear
  Empress
  Greyhawk
  Celestial Wizard
  Oak, Ash, & Thorn
  Viperwitch
  Signs of Tranquility

  More info:​
  Website: https://www.bitesizeevents.com/mile-high-power-fest​

  FAQ - https://www.bitesizeevents.com/mhpf-2025-press-release​
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556641145956​
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milehighpowerfest

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