Six unsigned New York metal bands compete at The Wood Shop in Brooklyn on April 11th for the chance to represent NYC at the Wacken Metal Battle USA National Final and ultimately perform at Wacken Open Air 2026 in Germany. Tickets are available with doors opening at 6pm.

For tickets, go here:https://kydlabs.com/e/EV8e866086-26f9-4f46-8422-ae0754ec369f

Since 2017, except for a brief pandemic pause, The Wacken Metal Battle USA has served as a platform for America’s most intense unsigned metal talent, selecting one national champion to compete at Wacken Open Air against winners from over thirty countries. The national champion earns a spot to perform at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival, receives a full professional backline, $1,000 toward flights to Germany, and VIP camping at the event. 

On April 11th, six independent bands, 6Five6, Finix, Shadow Solstice, FirstBourne, The Victorious Dead, and FROGG, will perform at The Wood Shop (21a Meadow St, Brooklyn) to vie for the New York spot at the East Coast Finals on May 9th. The winners of the East Coast Final will advance to the next stage of the competition on June 13th in San Diego, CA, at Brick By Brick for the National Final. All bands will be judged by reputable local music industry professionals during the battle rounds.

The winner of the East Coast Final will receive a fully produced, release-ready single courtesy of Savaria Studios. Founded by producer and drummer Tamas Vajda, Savaria is a Brooklyn-based music hub offering premium rehearsal spaces, recording, and artist development for rock and metal, with operations across multiple locations and a professional production facility.

Past national champions include Mourning High (2025), Cascade Effect (2024), Fadrait (2023), Mythraeum (2022), Monarch (2019), Voices of Ruin (2018), and Corpse Hoarder (2017), all of whom started their journey at a regional final just like this one. Doors open at 6pm, with the first band playing at 6:30pm. The show is all ages, and the Admission is $19.05.