Wacken Metal Battle Canada Announces 2026 National Final

Let’s get ready to rumble! One band will rule them all as Wacken Metal Battle Canada announces this year’s 2026 national finalists.

After battles hosted across the country, the final four have emerged to represent the best of the best underground metal bands in Canada and compete at the national final on May 9th in Montreal, QC, at Piranha Bar (680 Ste-Catherine Ouest), where they will perform in front of metal-hungry fans and be judged by a panel of music industry veterans that includes Luc Laine (CFLX 95.5 FM – Alerte Metallique), Pierre Beaubien (CIBL 101.5 FM – Décibel Métal), Andrew Wieler (CJLO 1690 AM – Metal Director), Kaje Jenkinson (Promoter, Freelance Metal Writer, Asher Media), Dany Soucy (Nova Spei, Bam&Co-Heavy Label and Trois-Rivieres Metalfest), Patrick Loisel (Augury), and JJ Tartaglia (Wacken Metal Battle Canada, Thunderor, Skull Fist).

Only one will be crowned champion and move on to perform at this year’s 35th anniversary of Wacken Open Air and the international Wacken Metal Battle, which hosts bands from 30 countries. The final four meeting at the Wacken Metal Battle Canada National final are the following:

Staples of Montreal, QC’s underground metal scene, BornBroken, unleash an aggressive sound, socially conscious themes, and high‑energy performances that have won over legions. The band recently welcomed new drummer, Peter Tzaferis, who some may recognize from his days in Slaves On Dope. They released their third album, Am I Invisible, in 2024, which Decibel Magazine commented as “a sonic soiree in waiting for those who like their metal in the neighbourhood of early Machine Head, post-Roots Sepultura, Lamb of God and Fear Factory, resplendent with big guitars, bigger grooves and the biggest choruses.”

Oshawa, ON’s Gravearth is a death/groove metal band known for blending brutal heaviness with melodic groove, emotional intensity, and complex arrangements. Their songwriting emphasizes heart, intensity, and memorable hooks, aiming to leave a lasting impression on listeners. Critics and reviewers highlight their unique blend of math, djent, groove, death, prog, and extreme tech metal, noting that the band manages to balance these complex elements into cohesive, powerful compositions. Their music often features layered guitars, dynamic rhythms, and intricate production choices that reward repeated listening.

Ashes of Yggdrasil is a five-piece melodic death metal band from the barren prairies of Lloydminster, AB/SK. Formed in 2017, their sound has continually evolved across our three albums: The Path (2019), Bearing the Pelt of the Wolf King (2021), and their newest, Crossing of the Realms (2025). While they are melodic death metal, they have hints of thrash, black metal, and even the odd prog sprinkle to shake things up! If you like war drums, melodic guitars, thundering bass, and vicious war cries, this band is your raiding party!

Empanelment is an extreme metal act from Victoria, BC, channelling a sound they describe as “Black Metal of Death,” shaped by the crashing coastal waves and dense forests of Vancouver Island. The band blends elements of melodic black metal and death metal, creating a style often referred to as deathened black metal. Their thematic focus spans nihilism, misanthropy, religious hypocrisy, blasphemy, love, heartbreak, depression, fury, war, and hedonistic freedom, giving their music a visceral emotional core. Empalement’s sound is marked by feral black‑metal atmosphere, death‑metal weight, and a strong emphasis on visual and conceptual storytelling. Their releases often pair music with cinematic or ritualistic imagery, reinforcing the band’s dark aesthetic.

Event Info – http://www.facebook.com/events/889250847462376​
May 9, 2026
Piranha Bar
680 Ste. Catherine Ouest
Montreal, QC H3B 1C2