The Wacken Metal Battle , an international metal band competition organized by the Wacken Open Air , has announced the return of the official qualifying round in Brazil for the 2027 edition of the festival.
According to a statement released [via Whiplash ], Brazil is once again part of the world qualifying circuit after an absence since 2012, when the process was interrupted due to a lack of resources and local organization, as reported by the organizer Roadie Crew . The festival also announced the countries England, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Mongolia.
The Wacken Metal Battle is one of the most respected music competitions for new metal talent, giving unsigned bands the chance to perform original material in front of judges and an audience, with regional stages and a national final. The Brazilian winner goes on to the international stages alongside representatives from other countries.
According to the official announcement, registration will open after the 2026 edition of Wacken Open Air, which takes place between July 29th and August 1st.
The return of the selection process in Brazil reinvigorates a tradition that has already marked historic moments for national bands. In 2007, the Brazilian group Torture Squad won the Metal Battle Brasil and became the only national representative to play at Wacken Open Air through the selection process, resulting in a contract with the festival's own record label. This was followed by another performance in 2008 with the Hellbound Tour , in 2011 during the Aequilibrium Tour , and in 2025 with the Devilish Tour.