Wacken Metal Battle 2026

The battle for entry to Wacken goes into the next round. Eight of the most promising bands from the Austrian metal and rock scene will compete against each other at Szene Wien to secure a spot in the international final of the legendary Wacken Metal Battle. From brutal death metal to epic symphonic folk, hard rock, and progressive soundscapes - this lineup showcases the full spectrum of the local heavy scene. Each band brings its own energy, sound, and only one goal: to tear down the stage and win the ticket to Wacken Open Air. An evening full of riffs, breakdowns, blast beats, and headbanging - and you get to decide who takes the next step towards Wacken. LIVE ON STAGE: • Dying Eden - Melodic/Groove/Death Metal from the Zillertal • Amnyon - explosive metalcore from Vienna • Rämbow - bastardized rock’n’roll between punk, metal, and hard rock • Dissemination - uncompromising metal from Vienna • Aeons of Ashes - postmodern melodic death metal from St. Pölten • The Crescent’s Call - symphonic folk metal with an epic story • DEF CRÜE - badass hard rock with a metal edge • Slothmachine - progressive rock with powerful riffs and complex structures 8 bands - 1 winner - 1 ticket to Wacken.