Wacken Metal Battle 2024

History speaks its clear language when we look back at the success Denmark has had with Wacken Metal Battle, as one of the most important showcases for new Danish metal! Names like By The Patient, Aphyxion, Huldre, Xenoblight, Lamentari, and most recently Swartzheim have all been part of Wacken's large international talent program. A talent program where one Danish band will play at the big international final at Wacken Open Air 2024.

In 2024, we're doing it again when Wacken Metal Battle Denmark visits 4 cities in Denmark in the spring and summer:
Preliminary rounds
May 19th at Stengade in Copenhagen (with headliner Swartzheim)
May 31st at Godset in Kolding (with headliners Swartzheim and Blood Red Throne)
June 1st at Studenterhuset in Aalborg (with headliner Swartzheim)

The Final
June 8th at Gimle in Roskilde (headliner TBA)

How Wacken Metal Battle works:
- A total of 12 bands have been selected for the showcase through a listening panel consisting of industry professionals and musicians.
- 4 selected bands perform in each round, including the final.
- Each selected band thus performs one concert in the preliminary round, and then another concert if the band advances to the final.
- One winner is determined in each preliminary round, who goes directly to the final at Gimle in Roskilde on June 8th.
- The last spot for the final is determined by a wildcard from the bands that did not directly advance to the final through the preliminary rounds.

At Godset, the following 4 bands are battling for a spot in the final:
Silent Fracture - Melodic Death Metal
Blodmåne - Progressive Extreme Metal
MurderCell - Melodic Death Metal
Terrorpy - Death Metal

HEADLINERS:

Blood Red Throne
Norwegian death metal kings, Blood Red Throne, celebrates 26 years in the scene and is still going strong with their 11th and strongest release so far, Nonagon, released by Soulseller Records. The band was started by still remaining member, Daniel "Død" Olaisen (guitar), when playing in Satyricon in the 90's. Original drummer, Freddy «the Shred» Bolsø, returned in 2013 and Ivan "Meathook" Gujic (guitar) have been in the team since 2010. Stian «Clammy Hackett» Gundersen (bass) joined in 2018. Finally, Sindre Wathne Johnsen took over the vocals in 2023.
Blood Red Throne is known for their energetic and connecting live-shows and has toured many parts of the world the last 22 years.

Swartzheim
Danish fast-as-fuck-live-as-fuck thrashmetal band. The young gentlemen from Swartzheim draw inspiration from the thrash of the 80s and 90s but also incorporate elements of death metal and grunge. Swartzheim, with their diversity, manages to break through and unite metal fans in the Danish underground metal scene with fast riffs, memorable melodies, and ultra-heavy breakdowns. Combined with their energetic live shows, Swartzheim is here to stay. So if you love mosh pits and stage dives, come and join the party!