<![CDATA[Metal Master Kingdom - W.M.B.C .2019/ 2018 / 2016]]>Wed, 13 May 2026 11:41:17 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada (Toronto Round 1)]]>Wed, 15 Feb 2023 20:46:04 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-toronto-round-1
Written by Derek Solomos
Photography by Navneet Johal

(C) 2023 All rights reserved by MetalMasterKingdom.com

​
WACKEN METAL BATTLE CANADA (TORONTO ROUND 1)
w/ AMMO, DEVIL WITCH, AXMINISTER, XEPHYR
@ Hard Luck Bar
Toronto, ON, Canada
​January 28, 2023
GUEST JUDGES

Craig Rose (Bonecrusher / Hard Luck Bar)
Chris Snow (Music Producer)
Andrew Craig (Zombietrol Productions)
Andy Hawke (Anthem Records)
January 28th provided us with the triumphant return of Wacken Metal Battle Canada after a four year hiatus.  The competition that determines who will go on to represent our country at Wacken Open Air, which is, to quote Sam Dunn, "the Mecca of Heavy Metal".
The show kicked off with Alternative metallers, Xephyr (of whom I'm a former member).  They brought the house down by kicking off their setlist with a new song called "Shot In The Head", before playing three more to close it out, as well as one old song.  The band had fantastic stage presence, and terrific crowd interaction.  They even got a nice pit going for the last song, which had a very thrashy vibe to it.  Their biggest issue was that the mix proved to be quite a challenge.  At times, the bass overpowered the guitars a little too much, and the vocals were a bit too quiet.  All in all, they provided us with a great start to the show, and the crowd responded very well.

Next up we had AxMinister, whom I'd never heard of before. They looked, and sounded very much like a black metal band, but their set really didn't do it for me.  The mix was rather weak on all fronts, and there were very few (if any) moments that I found to be memorable.  A rather disappointed crowd looked on just waiting patiently for the next band to come on.

Third from last, we had Devil Witch, whom I thought should have advanced to round two.  The crowd really got into them, and their mix was perfect.  They were the only other band of the night to get a pit going, along with Xephyr.  I feel like this band has a very bright future ahead of them, and this show proved it in a big way, but as the Rolling Stones once said:  "You can't always get what you want."

Last but not least, the winners of this round, Ammo. I remember seeing Ammo almost four years ago when they were the opening band on the Toronto date of the Warbringer and Enforcer co-headlining tour, so I was looking forward to seeing them again.  However, I think they've regressed in a big way since then.  Very strong mix for them (especially the kick drums), but I found their change of style to be as generic as generic gets.  I felt as if they had too many metal cliches in their lyrics, and I wasn't exactly impressed.  However, I am happy for them going onto the next round.  They did have by far the strongest crowd reaction, and the only band who had an encore.  All of us metalheads who picked up an instrument dream one day of playing Wacken.  For them to take a step closer to doing so is a big accomplishment.  Mad respect to them for doing so. 
XEPHYR
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal   /   (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com
AXMINISTER
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal   /   (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com
All in all, it was amazing to see Wacken Metal Battle Canada return after such a long hiatus.  I really look forward to the upcoming rounds, and I wish all the bands the best of luck. 
DEVIL WITCH
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal   /   (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com
AMMO
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal   /   (C) 2023 MetalMasterKingdom.com
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  National Final - Metal Master Kingdom Show Review]]>Fri, 31 May 2019 17:24:15 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-national-final-metal-master-kingdom-show-review
Written and photographed by Xavier Cattarinich
(RavenKin Photography)

(C) 2019 All rights reserved www.metalmasterkingdom.com

@ Dickens Pub
Calgary, AB, Canada
May 25, 2019
COMPETING BANDS

The Slyde
Blackwater Burial
The Myopia Condition
Fjell Thyngor


GUEST HEADLINER

Planet Eater
​

GUEST JUDGES

JJ Tartaglia (Wacken Metal Battle Canada Organizer)
Teitur Fossaberg (Wacken Metal Battle Foroyar Organizer)
Wally Laurier (DJ & Programmer on Rock Bottom - CJSW 90.9 FM)
Laura Vezer (DJ & Programmer on Rock Bottom - CJSW 90.9 FM)
Cameron Dalgetty (Metalheads United & 420 Music & Arts Festival)
Celestia Scarlett (Metalheads United, Manager of The Celestial Agency)
Graham Harris (Hammerdrone vocalist)
Nate Reno (Founder of Calgary Metalfest, owner of Big Nate Productions)
​Months of havoc from coast to coast finally came to a head at Dickens Pub in Calgary on May 25, when the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada national finalists converged on the city for one last clash of the indie titans.  Instead of the final duel of previous years, this year’s format featured a battle Royale consisting of four bands from across the country, with the winner earning the honour of performing at Wacken Open Air in Germany—the world’s most prestigious metal fest—later this summer. 

Just as noteworthy, this was the first time that the national final was held outside Toronto, and the event organizers should be commended for taking the concerns of western bands seriously and levelling the field.  Any band knows just how expensive and exhausting flights and/or long road trips can be, and in the past, that has either deterred many western bands from participating in the competition, or put them at a serious disadvantage vis-a-vis the hometown competitors. Hopefully the event was deemed successful enough to see the location of the national finals continue to alternate for future battles to come.
THE SLYDE
Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich   /   (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
This year’s final showcased bands that reflected the health and diversity of sub-genres within the Canadian metal scene, and although their sounds generally skewed toward the heavier end of the spectrum, there was something for everyone.

Toronto’s The Slyde were dedicated enough to make the long journey out west, and had the daunting task of being first to take to the stage before an audience that was hungry for a western group to take the crown. They were by far the most commercial band to hit the stage all night, and I think their melodic blend of progressive rock and melodic metal with marked pop sensibilities took a lot of audience members by surprise.  The first sign that The Slyde were going to do their own thing was the prominence of chip-tune inspired synths in their music and keyboard player Sarah Westbrook’s presence front stage (if left of centre).

​Although their Facebook page cites Megadeth as a primary influence, their infectious melodies brought to mind Of Monsters & Men, Ghost and a more soulful Rush, yet with a sound that ultimately is far more than the sum of its parts.
Some of Westbrook’s keyboard solos reminded me of something out of an 80s Yngwie J Malmsteen album, and Geddy Lee also emerged at times in lead singer/guitarist Nathan Da Silva’s higher pitched vocals.  Contrary to the exclusively guttural vocal styles represented by the other bands on the bill, Da Silva remained “clean” throughout.  I could tell early on that The Slyde’s performance would generate some controversy of the “these guys aren’t really metal” variety.  What the band did prove is their undeniable talent for crafting catchy, genre-bending and multi-layered songs with compelling hooks.  I, for one, also appreciated the social commentary in their thought-provoking lyrics.  They were a ray of hope in an evening otherwise dominated by darkness.  The group played a tight set, missing no opportunity to remind the crowd that “we are The Slyde from Toronto.”
Vancouver’s progressive death metal lords Blackwater Burial took the stage next.  I last saw these guys at the 420 Music & Arts Festival in Calgary during the spring of 2018, and they never cease to impress.  Vocalist/guitarist Eli Slamang’s guttural vocals have an uncanny resemblance to My Arms, Your Hearse era Mikael Akerfeldt.

​Slamang, guitarist Kevin Peters and bassist Jacob Gold took listeners on an epic ride through lumbering Black Sabbath riffs and effortless tempo changes punctuated by blistering technical passages—all underpinned by the jaw-dropping percussive assault of human octopus Eric Peters, and what a ride it was.  Their bleak crescendos were worthy of Opeth at their best and heaviest.

Red Deer, Alberta’s relative newcomers—groove metallers The Myopia Condition—arguably delivered the highest energy set of the night.  Their performance alternated between intense, light-hearted, and at times… goofy?  These lads combined solid musicianship with a good mix of heavy and just plain fun, and the audience dug them.
BLACKWATER BURIAL
Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich   /   (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
THE MYOPIA CONDITION
Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich   /   (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Calgary’s very own Fjell Thyngor brought the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition to an end under a pall of brimstone, fire and dread, a pall that paradoxically fed the hopes of local fans there to root the home team on.  After having captured the triumvirate’s visual spectacle at the Calgary final on April 26, I wondered whether the audience was in for an exact repeat of their previous performance.  I am glad to report that the answer is “no.” 

Fjell Thyngor completely outdid themselves this time, elevating their show in every way possible.  Yes, it was still conventional black metal fare with corpse paint, leather and spikes, inverted crosses and pentagrams, but it all came together so well that one could not be anything but mesmerized.  There was more effective coordination of lighting and fog effects when compared with their April appearance, and the band donned matching hooded ceremonial robes for their intro.  The ceremony itself took a slightly different form.  There was no rhythmic pounding on a tom by vocalist/bassist Themisto this time however.
Skeletal drummer Dazbog once again commenced the ritual, faintly backlit as he stood before his acolytes at centre stage, flanked by panels with upside down crucifix and pentagram motifs. Indeed, some of their adherents in the audience had shown up wearing ghoulish face paint of their own. 

As his litany progressed over sinister orchestral arrangements, Themisto and guitarist Zhargor emerged from the shadows to join him, raising their arms in supplication. Then off came the robes, revealing Fjell Thyngor in their glorious black metal attire. The stage seemed to erupt in flame, and they performed as if truly possessed by demonic entities.  I think it’s fair to say that all who had previously seen them live thought they had truly upped their game and played their best show yet on May 25.  Those in the mosh pit undoubtedly agreed.

Then came the long wait as the judges deliberated.  Most people I overheard seemed to think Fjell Thyngor and Blackwater Burial were the frontrunners.  Oh, but the wait… such an agonizing wait…
FJELL THYNGOR
Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich   /   (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
PLANET EATER
Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich   /   (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Fortunately, another entity stepped forth out of the void to kill time and keep the crowd on a high.  Regina’s Planet Eater guest headlined the event, and it only seemed appropriate that one of the most infamous metal acts out of Saskatchewan should hold the honour of closing the night. 

​Bassist/vocalist Troy Blech did his inimitable Lord Nekron stomp and generally melted anyone who dared lock eyes with him into sad little puddles of goo.  He be one scary fucker.  Yet Lord Nekron rewards the faithful, if pitiful little human beings that worship him… and near the end of the set, one (un)fortunate soul got dredged up from the miasma to join the destroyer of worlds on stage.

And before we knew it, the wait was over. The eight judges gathered on the remnants of the stage (let the record show that six were from Calgary). Each had scored the contenders without discussing their ratings with their fellow judges, so come the announcement following compilation of the results, only spokesman Wally Laurier of CJSW 90.9’s Rock Bottom knew who the winner was. 
The victor?  Congratulations to The Slyde, and best of luck to them as they hoist the Canadian flag at Wacken Open Air!
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  And The Winner Is.........]]>Sun, 26 May 2019 17:34:47 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-and-the-winner-is
Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic
It has all come down to this.  After five months of intense competition, Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 has come to an end!  The national finals took place at Dickens Pub in Calgary last night, and the national champion who will represent Canada at Wacken Open Air this summer has been chosen.  And the winner is........
THE SLYDE
That's right!  Our homies and friends in The Slyde have been chosen to represent Canada in Germany!  They competed against Blackwater Ritual from Vancouver, Fjell Thyngor from Calgary and The Myopia Condition from Red Deer. 

​We want to send a huge congratulations to them.  If you've seen any of our reviews of the Toronto shows, our thoughts on The Slyde have always been so incredibly positive.  Every night, they delivered the goods, and because of their fantastic musicianship, stellar songwriting, and most importantly, originality, they always stood out.  They brought a breath of fresh air to the competition, at least to the Toronto portion.

This also marks the fifth time that an Ontario band has been selected as the national champion.  Congratulations once again to The Slyde!  Do Canada proud in Germany, guys!

We look forward to next year!
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  Calgary Finals - Metal Master Kingdom Show Review]]>Thu, 16 May 2019 20:56:13 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-calgary-finals-metal-master-kingdom-show-review
OSYRON
​Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
FJELL THYNGOR
​Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
SYRYN
​Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
CAVEAT
​Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
HAMMERDRONE
​Photo credit:  Xavier Cattarinich    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Written and photographed by Xavier Cattarinich


(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

​
​@ Dicken's Pub
​Calgary, AB, Canada
April 26, 2019
COMPETING BANDS

Osyron
Fjell Thyngor
Syryn
​Caveat
GUEST HEADLINER

​Hammerdrone
After four intense preliminary rounds, April 26th brought the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Calgary Final to the stage at Dicken’s Pub.  Up for grabs: a chance to represent YYC at the national final on May 25, and to play the world’s largest metal fest in the world, aka: Wacken Open Air in Germany, later this summer. With their respective genres ranging from classic/power metal all the way through prog and black metal, the four local finalists gave fans a night to remember.

Random draw had Osyron kicking off the night with their bold and melodic brand of symphonic metal, tinged with prog, thrash and classic metal influences.  Lead vocalist Reed (also seen earlier in the competition performing with his other band, In/Vertigo) arguably exhibited the greatest vocal range of the night, at times channeling Geoff Tate and Bruce Dickinson.  The lads showcased an ambitious selection of songs from their latest release, Kingsbane (2017), attacking the material with energy and confidence. 

Things took a much darker turn when Fjell Thyngor took centre stage with the most visually compelling spectacle of the night.  Yes, their black metal look may be standard fare for the genre, but the band evidently put a great deal of effort (and expense) into their infernal mass, which paid off in spades.  Fjell Thyngor’s sinister corpse paint was some of the best I’ve seen bar none.  The lighting (in the spectrum of bloody crimson to moonlit cool blue), and effective use of banners and side panels with inverted cross designs all worked exceptionally well together to elevate the show.

Having admittedly never seen Fjell Thyngor play prior to this night, I had not realized that lead rasper/bassist Themisto was in fact an “evil sister.”  As the band launched into their set, Themisto stood listlessly with a mallet in hand in lieu of bass, pounding rhythmically on a tom as skeletal drummer Dazbog stood behind and preached a sermon in a manner that brought to mind flagellants lamenting the end times during the Black Plague in medieval Europe.  Meanwhile, guitarist Zhargor inspired the faithful to turn their palms upward and join in the ritual.  Then, all hell broke loose.  None can deny the presence that Themisto and acolytes exhibited under the blood red glow of the overhead lights.

While I must confess that I have limited appreciation for rasping as a vocal style, and that the band’s brutal sonic assault didn’t grab me when I gave their EP Hexenjagd (2018) a quick listen prior to the show, I found Fjell Thyngor’s music growing on me like a toxic mold as their performance went on.  In hindsight, I have to give them credit: they’ve got some truly atmospheric, if not hypnotic riffs that are difficult to ignore.  I’ve given Hexenjagd a few more spins since this show.  Damn you, Fjell Thyngor!  Damn you!

After fire came water, with Syryn trying to douse the embers left behind by their demonic rivals.   Crimson red gave way to a coral palette as lead vocalist Sloan Voxx emerged from the depths arrayed like a siren queen draped in algae that lashed out with her every move.  Low end boomer Lyxx Rose likewise manifested as an entrancing aquatic creature with a tightly woven crown of kelp, tendrils hanging far below her waist, and a string of cloth dangling from the stock of her bass like seaweed.  Syryn had some of the catchiest hooks of the night, at times working maritime folk influences into sweeping power meets classic metal choruses that had audience members singing along. 

Guitarists Paolo Rage and Byron Gorieu delivered the shred and melodic leads, while Illyrian’s Darren May filled in on drums for Bryan Campbell.  It was clear that the hearts of Voxx and crew were with Campbell as he was away temporarily dealing with personal matters, and May did the band justice with his first class skin pounding.

Local scene veterans Caveat were the last Wacken contenders to hit the stage, playing material that spanned their 13+ year-long career.  Caveat were one of the very first bands I ever photographed when I covered their CD release for Consummation back in 2016, and it’s largely thanks to their jaw-dropping performance then that I have kept an eye on the Calgary metal scene ever since.  Caveat focused on music over visuals and blasted through a no-frills set featuring their unique and feverish style of prog metal. 

Frontman/guitarist Greg Musgrave alternated between guttural growls and clean vocals, and the complexity of the riffs he played while singing remained as impressive as ever.  Keyboardist/vocalist Amanda Marie Bourdon was front and centre with Musgrave for the entire show, and the blending of their voices along with the latter’s distinctive phrasings gave Caveat their own signature sound.  While Bourdon mainly provides harmonies and leads on the occasional verse/chorus on Consummation, it was pretty cool seeing her fully in the spotlight on some of the newer material they played live.

While that was it for the bands competing for the 2019 Wacken Metal Battle Calgary title, the organizers outdid themselves by having a headliner perform while they deliberated, a most welcome move because last year, people hung around kind of bored for 30-40 minutes as they awaited the verdict.  Appropriately enough, Hammerdrone had the honour of headlining the night, and their performance reminded everyone why they made it all the way to the national finals in 2018.  The lads were a force to behold, impressing the audience sufficiently to warrant an encore… which only prolonged the agony of the other four bands waiting to find out who would be crowned champion. 

After some tough and impassioned deliberations, judge Wally Laurier (host of Rock Bottom on CJSW 90.9 FM) announced the victor: all hail Fjell Thyngor!  Best of luck to them and the other bands from across Canada that will do battle at the national final in Calgary on Saturday, May 25, 2019.
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  Eastern Canada Finals - Metal Master Kingdom Show Review]]>Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:55:17 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-eastern-canada-finals-metal-master-kingdom-show-review
Written by Alex Stojanovic
Photography by Navneet Johal

(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

@ Hard Luck Bar
Toronto, ON, Canada
March 23, 2019
COMPETING BANDS

The Slyde (Toronto)
Dumpster Mummy (Halifax)
BornBroken (Montreal)


GUEST HEADLINERS:

Villain


GUEST JUDGES

David Bottrill (Producer)
Tim Henderson (Bravewords.com)
Dean Arnold (Vital Remains Official)
Craig Rose (ROSE Management)
Bradley Zorgdrager (Exclaim!)
Wojtek Sokolowski (Operus)
The 2019 edition of Wacken Metal Battle Canada continues, as we get another step closer to finding out who will represent Canada in Germany at Wacken Open Air this year.  After two preliminary rounds and the Southern Ontario finals, Toronto hosted its last show for this year's edition with the Eastern Canada finals at the Hard Luck on March 23rd, with The Slyde representing Ontario, Dumpster Mummy representing Nova Scotia and BornBroken representing Quebec.  Even though the competition isn't over yet, I can say that on behalf of all the Toronto metalheads, it's been another great time getting to see some amazing local talent compete for the chance to see who will represent Canada at the Holy Land of metal.
THE SLYDE
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
Being given the not-so-easy task of being first, Toronto progressive titans The Slyde opened up the night with a serious dose of melodic progressive metal, and they managed to get a decent crowd of people up close to the front of the stage.  This was my third time seeing the band after seeing them twice before in the competition, and much like the other times, they delivered an outstanding performance that made them a serious contender for winning the night. 

​At this point, I've run out of things to say about The Slyde, and I don't mean that in a bad way at all, because there weren't any differences between any of their performances in the competition.  Each one displayed what they have always been about.  Fantastic musicianship, captivating vocals (especially the harmonies between Nathan Da Silva and Alberto Campuzano), stellar songwriting, impeccable stage presence, great tones, and most importantly, originality.  The Slyde successfully combined all these elements, and always manage to put on a larger-than-life performance.  As a musician, they make me want to go practice each time I see them.  I also think many local bands can learn a few things from The Slyde.
The intensity was about to go up a few notches now, as Halifax outfit Dumpster Mummy were the first band to bring the brutality to the night.  In all honesty, the thing that stood out the most about their set was the energy.  However, when it comes to the music, they lacked originality, and they sounded like just about every other brutal metal band in the local scene.  Watching a brutal band in small club with a low-ceiling is a challenge sometimes because for the most part, the music tends to sound like white noise, and you can hardly distinguish the riffs, or the vocals, and each song tends to sound alike.  That was pretty much the case with Dumpster Mummy.  I'm not trying to sound like an elitist, it's merely an observation. 

​Vocalist Cujo Bonvie took stage presence to another level, because not only did he headbang with serious fervor to the point where he looked like he was going to snap his neck, but he would also lay on the floor and roll around as if he was having a demon exorcised from his body.  However, in all honesty, they were my least favourite band of the night.  No offense.  Simultaneously, I give them massive respect for making the 18-hour drive to Toronto and representing Halifax.
DUMPSTER MUMMY
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
BORNBROKEN
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
The brutality didn't stop there though.  Next up were Montreal death metal titans BornBroken.  Much like Dumpster Mummy, there wasn't really anything special or unique about their sound, but they still displayed great energy, and in my opinion, they were the better of the two heavier bands.  Vocalist Pepe Poliquin would often do the machine gun gesture during the blast beat sections of the songs.  He even revealed that guitarist Mike Decker broke his arm two weeks prior, and it was evident by the bandage wrapped around his elbow.  Massive kudos to Mike for being able to play while still mending.  BornBroken brought the competing sets to a close.

It was now time for guest headliners Villain.  Just before their set, there was a physical altercation that broke out between two people in the crowd, but thankfully security broke it up right away, and it didn't escalate any further, because you never know how ugly these things can get.  You rarely see scuffles at metal shows.  Going back to Villain, their image screamed 80s.  Frontman Caleb Beal and guitarist Ryan Staffa had the 80s glam image going, while the rhythm section of Kane Inman and Jake Gracie had the thrash look going.
It will say that it was actually a little freaky how closely Ryan resembled Nikki Sixx from back in the day.  Their mixed-image also seemed to match up perfectly with their sound, as it was in the vein of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, with a mix of the L.A. metal sound that was popularized by Dokken, early Motley Crue, Ratt, and so on.  Obviously having not been born in the 80s, watching Villain certainly made me feel like I was in the 80s.  I'm sure some of the old-schoolers in the crowd felt the same way.
It was now time to announce the band that would be representing Eastern Canada at the National Finals, taking place in Calgary on May 25th, and that band is The Slyde.  With all due respect to the other two competitors who traveled far to perform, in my honest opinion, I honestly felt that The Slyde was deserving of the win, because they brought a breath of fresh air to the table during this competition, and originality is one of the main elements the judges look for.  You don't see too many progressive metal bands in the local scene.

To the fans and friends of Dumpster Mummy and BornBroken reading this, who probably think I dissed the bands with what I said about them, you need to understand that I am not for a second trying to diss the bands, and that was never my intention.  This is just my observation of what I witnessed with my eyes and my ears, and also what I thought of their performances.  Saying how we really feel has always been extremely important for us at Metal Master Kingdom, and that's what we've always done since day 1.  It wouldn't be right for us to say everything that every band does is the greatest thing in each review we do.  Music is subjective.
VILLAIN
Photo credit:  Navneet Johal    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
​​Anyway, sorry for digressing.  I just needed to get that off my chest before somebody comes on here, and just blatantly accuses us of dissing their favourite band without even thinking, or even reading the entire review first.  Congratulations to The Slyde for advancing to the finals!  Do Toronto and Eastern Canada proud, guys!
THE SLYDE *

Nathan Da Silva - Vocals & guitars
Sarah Westbrook - Keyboards
Alberto Campuzano - Bass & vocals
Andrew Suarez - Drums & vocals

Label:  Unsigned
DUMPSTER MUMMY

Cujo Bonvie - Vocals
Brad News - Guitars
Ben Banks - Drums
Gilbert Lavery - Bass

Label:  Unsigned
BORNBROKEN

Pepe Poliquin - Vocals
Mike Decker - Guitars & vocals
Simon Savard - Guitars & vocals
Red Voizard - Bass
Sammuel Santiado - Drums

Label:  Unsigned
VILLAIN

Caleb Beal - Vocals, Guitar
Ryan Stäffa - Guitar, backing vocals
Kane Inman - Bass
Jake Gracie - Drums, backing vocals 

Label:  Unsigned
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  Southern Ontario Finals - Metal Master Kingdom Show Review]]>Sun, 03 Mar 2019 18:35:28 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-southern-ontario-finals-metal-master-kingdom-show-review
Written by Alex Stojanovic

​
@ Rivoli
Toronto, ON, Canada
March 2, 2019
COMPETING BANDS

Northshroud
Chainfall
The Slyde

​
GUEST HEADLINERS

Operus


GUEST JUDGES

Andrew Epstein (Zombitrol Productions)
Shawn Davidson (Wacken Open Air Anthem Composer)
Voodoo Drew (So Sick Social Club)
Nick Lobodycz (Iguana Studios)
We witnessed some awesome bands in the preliminary rounds of the 2019 edition of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, but the competition steamrolls onward.  The winning bands of the Toronto and Hamilton preliminary rounds gathered at the Rivoli on March 2nd as part of the Southern Ontario finals.  The winning band of this round will advance to the Eastern Canada finals taking place on March 23rd at the Hard Luck, and be that much closer to playing the Holy Land of Metal, aka: Wacken Open Air!  The night hosted competitors Northshroud, Chainfall, The Slyde and guest headliners Operus.  The bands that competed at the Rivoli really tightened up the competition, to the point where the judges had their work cut out for them.  If I was a judge, I know I would've been having a hard time because each band delivered the goods, and the crowd was ecstatic for all the bands.  One thing that stood out about the bill was that there was diversity.  Each band, including Operus, brought a different musical element.  There was melodic death metal, thrash metal, progressive metal and epic metal, all making for a good balanced metal meal.

Getting down to the night's festivities, Kitchener titans Northshroud, and winners of the Hamilton round, were lucky number one of the performers.  Nothing was held back, as they started off the night with some melodic death metal.  At least that's what I got out of it, because of the gutteral vocals, mixed with the heavy and melodic music.  Em Gariepy had the crowd in the palm of her hand and was an absolute beast on stage.  Vocally, she seemed like the perfect middle ground between Angela Gossow and Alissa White-Gluz.  She dominated the stage with amazing presence and beastly gutterals.  It was during the second last song, that things changed up a little bit, and she put the melodic voice to use.  Of course, we need to acknowledge the other members of the band.  James Morrison and Chris Wickens awed the crowd with some chunky and fast-picked riffs, as well as some blistering solos and potent harmonies.  Bassist Brian Beaupre and drummer John Roberts also brought a lot of thunder.  A great start to the night!

Continuing the night were party thrashers Chainfall.  I had the opportunity to see them at Coalition a few weeks back as part of the second round of the competition.  It might be just me, but their performance at the Rivoli seemed to surpass their previous performance at Coalition.  I'm not saying they didn't sound great at Coalition because they certainly were very tight and well rehearsed the first time around, but they sounded a lot more rehearsed and a lot tighter this time than the previous.  Drummer Liam Williams was an absolute animal behind the kit, to the point where he ended up breaking his snare drum.  Frontman Mike Cowan knows how to entertain a crowd, as he pulled a few dance moves to some of the riffs, and he even joked with the fans moshing at the front, saying that it was getting too dangerous due to the intense levels of mosh activity going on.

Up next were Toronto progressive metal titans The Slyde.  I remember watching them during round 1 of the competition at the Bovine, and being completely awestruck by their performance, and that didn't change this time around.  Frontman Nathan Da Silva and bassist Alberto Campuzano wowed with their amazing vocal harmonies.  I see Alberto as an equivalent to Michael Anthony, because they're both bassists, and they both provide amazing backing vocals in their respective bands.  Even though there's only one guitar in the band, the harmonies were played between the guitar and the keyboard.  The interplay between the two was astounding because some of the harmonies were fast and complex.  Seeing Nathan and Sarah Westbrook executing high speed harmonies with such ease sent jaws dropping to the floor.  Like I said at the top, all three competing bands delivered the goods, but when it comes to great musicianship, great stage presence, and everything in between, The Slyde was above the other bands by a notch.  What a band!  They make me want to go home and practice!  Check them out if you haven't yet.

Closing out the night were guest headliners and hometown favourites Operus.  Since the last time I saw them, which was about three or four years ago, they had a lineup change with a new face in the vocal department.  Replacing Will Patterson is David Michael Moote.  While guitarist Rob Holden is still in the band, he's currently recovering from a shoulder injury.  In his place was Dean Arnold of Vital Remains.  They were the only band that brought a slight theatrical element, as David wore a mask during the first song, but that didn't last long, as he took it off after the song was finished.  I just have to say that as a drummer myself, seeing JJ Tartaglia's cymbals set up so high always messes with my mind a little bit, but hey, every drummer has a different comfort level.  At the end of their set, they performed the Wacken Open Air anthem, and they invited the song's composer Shawn Davidson up to the stage to sing the song with them, thus bringing the performances to a close.

It was now time to announce the winner of the night.  The band that was chosen to advance to the Eastern Canada finals was The Slyde.  It was a really really tight competition, but in my mind, I knew they were going to win.  Congratulations to them, and we look forward to seeing them again, as well as the other bands that advance.  March 23rd at the Hard Luck!  Be there!
NORTHSHROUD

James Morrison - Guitars
Chris Wickens - Guitars
John Roberts - Drums
Brian Beaupre - Bass
Em Gariepy - Vocals

Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.northshroud.com
THE SLYDE *

Nathan Da Silva - Vocals & guitars
Sarah Westbrook - Keyboards
Alberto Campuzano - Bass & vocals
Andrew Suarez - Drums & vocals

Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.theslyde.com
www.facebook.com/theslydecanada
​CHAINFALL

Mike Cowan - Vocals
Spike Way - Guitars
AC Burns - Bass
Liam Williams - Drums


Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.facebook.com/chainfallband
www.sonicbids.com/band/chainfall
​OPERUS (GUEST HEADLINER)

David Michael Moote - Lead vocals
Robin Howe - Cello & backing vocals
Dean Arnold - Guitars (filling in for Rob Holden)
Oscar Rangel - Guitars & backing vocals
Wojtek Sokolowski - Bass & backing vocals
JJ Tartaglia - Drums

Label:  Darkstar Records
Website:  www.operusmusic.com
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  Round II Toronto - Metal Master Kingdom Show Review]]>Sat, 23 Feb 2019 22:42:29 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-round-ii-toronto-metal-master-kingdom-show-review
Written by Amina Abdelwahab
Photography by Robert Singh


(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

​
@ Coalition
January 25, 2019
Toronto, ON, Canada
COMPETING BANDS

Psychotic Pulse
Chainfall
Experiment Specimen

GUEST HEADLINER

Profaner

GUEST JUDGES

Craig Rose (ROSE Management)
Tal Vaisman (Producer, ex-Hammercult)
Aaron Price (Metal Injection, Five Magics Music)
Winter is in, and the metal battles are back!  On January 25th, our metal soldiers trudged towards Coalition in Toronto for round 2.  It was a night of extreme, thrash, death and technical metal.  With an incredible lineup and an album release to end the night, fans prepared to end their workweek with a night of metal salvation.

First up were Psychotic Pulse, an energetic industrial death metal band hailing from Toronto.  They opened the night decently, bringing the essentials: fast and heavy metal, perfect for a mosh pit.  However, they lacked the originality and uniqueness necessary to establish themselves as different from other local death metal bands.  Of all the band members, the vocalist stood out to me most – being as both his technique and stage presence brought my attention to the band at first.  That being said, the whole band played solidly, and the audience received them well.

Next up, Chainfall - the thrash kings of the night.  In a slew of catchy, yet complex riffs, they brought an impeccably professional performance to the stage.  Not a detail was missed.  Even the moments they spent between songs were organized and rehearsed.  It’s no surprise that they won, and made it to the next battle rounds.  Eager to see how far they will go in the competition, I look forward to following their journey both online and in person.

The third and final band participating in this round of the Wacken Battles was Experiment Specimen.  The death/extreme metal band from Toronto had the only female vocalist of the night, impressing us with dark and ghoulish-like guttural technique.  On drums was Cory Hofing from Crimson Shadows, making their sound a musical endeavor for the masters.  Yet, like Psychotic Pulse, I felt that they lacked original songwriting material, leaving them lost with the several hundred other local death metal bands.

Being the winner of the 2016 Wacken Battles in Canada, it was only fitting that Profaner headline the night – and with an album release!  The Hamilton bred band played with their usual fervor, bringing melodic death metal with a twist of thrash to the stage.  Even though they do not fall within my taste range when it comes to metal, they spoke well for the extreme metal genre – and set an example for all the competitors that night.
PSYCHOTIC PULSE

​Vocals - Kyle Clyma
Guitars - Wes MacDonald
Guitars - Will Warford
Bass - Stumpy
Drums - Alex Rise

Label:  Unsigned
​Website:  ​www.facebook.com/psychoticpulse
PROFANER

​Stephen Brindley - Guitar
Anthony "Tooty" Tuttolomondo - Vocals
Rusty - Bass, Backup Vocals
Pat Rogers - Guitar
Craig Piggott - Drums

Label:  Profane Entertainment
​Website:  ​​www.facebook.com/profanerofficial
EXPERIMENT SPECIMEN

​Rory Kennedy - Bass
Cory Hofing - Drums
Isabelle Tazbir - Vocals
Nick Radlovic - Guitars

Label:  Unsigned
​Website:  www.facebook.com/experimentspecimen
CHAINFALL

​Mike Cowan - Vocals
Spike Way - Guitar
AC Burns - Bass
Liam Williams - Drums

Label:  Unsigned
​Website:  ​www.facebook.com/chainfallband
PSYCHOTIC PULSE
Photo credit:  Robert Singh    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
CHAINFALL
Photo credit:  Robert Singh    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
EXPERIMENT SPECIMEN
Photo credit:  Robert Singh    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
PROFANER
Photo credit:  Robert Singh    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019:  Round I Toronto - Metal Master Kingdom Show Review]]>Sat, 02 Feb 2019 04:07:57 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-round-i-toronto-metal-master-kingdom-show-review
​SUPERCHUCKER
Photo credit:  Alex Stojanovic    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
​THE SLYDE
Photo credit:  Alex Stojanovic    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
​The third and final competitors of the night were Mississauga traditional metal trio Hounskull.  Many of their songs were long and mostly instrumental.  There were vocals, but for the most part, they were instrumental.  Their sound was a little similar to Superchucker's.  The last song they played was roughly about 13 minutes long.  I will say that even though the performance was exceptional, the repetition of certain parts in some of the songs made them a little tedious, but not entirely.  If a couple of riffs or sections that were repeated were left out, it would've made the songs a lot more enjoyable.  That's not a bash, because they played really well and the songs sounded great.  It's just my honest opinion.

Closing off the night were guest headliners Mokomokai, which feature Wacken Metal Battle Canada founder JJ Tartaglia on drums.  The band's set lasted for nearly an hour, and consisted of roughly 13 songs.  The band played really well and were well rehearsed.  The only song in the set that I was familiar with was "Poison Whiptail".  As they approached the end of their set, frontman John Ellis told a story of how it's difficult for him to find like-minded metalheads living in Peterborough, but during his first visit to Toronto, he walked into the Bovine one day and saw a whole bunch of metalheads, and it made him want to keep coming back.  Following the story, they closed their set with a cover of Dio's "Holy Diver", bringing the night's performances to a close.

It was a really close battle, but in the end, the winners of the night that would be moving on to the Southern Ontario finals at the Rivoli on March 2nd were The Slyde.  Given their performance, they were a very very strong contender for advancing.  Congratulations to them!
Written and photographed by Alex Stojanovic

(C) 2019 All rights reserved by www.metalmasterkingdom.com

@ Bovine Sex Club
Toronto, ON, Canada
January 18, 2019
COMPETING BANDS

Superchucker
The Slyde *
Hounskull

GUEST HEADLINER

Mokomokai

* winner

GUEST JUDGES

Ryan Hofing (Crimson Shadows)
Dherryk Doucette (Centuries Of Decay)
Ruslan Lypovsky (Profaner)
​And so it begins!  Wacken Metal Battle Canada is back for its sixth edition in 2019!  With each year, the competition continues to expand to other cities across the country, and this year, Kelowna and Halifax have been added to the list of competing cities.  The other big change with the 2019 battle is that the national final will be taking place in Calgary, which is only fair as Toronto has been the host of the national finals in each of the previous battles.  This year, Toronto had the pleasure of officially kicking off the festivities, with the first of only two preliminary rounds and the very first show of the 2019 edition taking place on a cold Friday night on January 18th at the Bovine Sex Club (my least favourite venue in all of Toronto, sorry!).  The amount of bands competing had also been scaled down once again from four to three.  There were four bands playing:  three competitors and a guest headliner.

Kicking off the night were Toronto hard rockers Superchucker.  Their sound was in the vein of classic hard rock and metal, and they started the party off with some cool mid-tempo rocking tunes.  Vocalist Dave Barrett's vocals resembled Ronnie James Dio's a little bit.  What also stood out about him was his appearance.  He had the biker look with the black t-shirt, leather pants, leather vest and goatee.  Musically, the band was really tight, and their sound of classic sounding metal really enticed the crowd and set the bar high for the night.  I look forward to seeing them again sometime.

Up next were Ottawa progressive outfit The Slyde, who are also previous competitors from the very first edition in 2013.  This is a band I've never seen live, but I know about them because my buddy Alberto Campuzano is in the band.  All the bands were incredibly tight, but The Slyde were the tightest of all the bands.  The interplay between the guitar and the keyboards made for some fantastic harmonies that were complex, yet catchy.  The vocal harmonies were equally as potent as the music.  Right from the first note, the entire audience was enticed and the band delivered a memorable and mesmerizing performance.
​HOUNSKULL
Photo credit:  Alex Stojanovic    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
​MOKOMOKAI
Photo credit:  Alex Stojanovic    /    (C) 2019 www.metalmasterkingdom.com
​SUPERCHUCKER

Steve Macpherson - Bass & backing vocals
Dave Barrett - Vocals
Shawn Pegg - Guitars
Rob Hassey - Drums
Starvros Theodorakopoulos - Guitars

Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.facebook.com/Superchucker
THE SLYDE

Nathan Da Silva - Vocals & guitars
Sarah Westbrook - Keyboards
Alberto Campuzano - Bass & vocals
Andrew Suarez - Drums & vocals (filling in for Brendan Soares)

Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.theslyde.com
www.facebook.com/theslydecanada
​HOUNSKULL

Kyle White - Vocals & bass
Alex Tamo - Guitars
Nathan Fernandez - Drums

Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.hounskull.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/Hounskull
MOKOMOKAI (GUEST HEADLINER)

John Ellis - Guitars & vocals
Jeremy Pastic - Bass
Bobby Deuce - Guitars
JJ Tartaglia - Drums

Label:  Unsigned
Website:  www.mokomokai.bandcamp.com
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 Dates & Locations Announced]]>Tue, 18 Dec 2018 23:38:41 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-dates-locations-announced
Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 Dates & Locations:

ONTARIO

Jan 18 - Toronto, ON @ Bovine (Preliminary)
Jan 25 - Toronto, ON @ Coalition (Preliminary)
Feb 16 - Hamilton, ON @ This Ain't Hollywood (Preliminary)
Mar 2 - Toronto, ON @ Rivoli (Southern Ontario Final)
Mar 23 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck (Eastern Canada Final)
Date TBA - Ottawa, ON @ House Of Targ (Preliminary)
Date TBA - Ottawa, ON @ House Of Targ (Preliminary)

QUEBEC

Jan 12 - Quebec City, QC - Venue TBA (Preliminary)
Jan 25 - Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar (Preliminary)
Mar 15 - Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar (Quebec Final)

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Mar 10 - Vancouver, BC @ Red Room (Preliminary)
Apr 28 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre (BC Final)

NOVA SCOTIA

Mar 1 - Halifax, NS @ The Seahorse (Preliminary)

CANADIAN NATIONAL FINALS

May 25 - Calgary, AB - Dickens

* Dates for Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon and St. John's TBA *
Blog author:  Alex Stojanovic
Wacken Metal Battle Canada returns in 2019 for its sixth edition to see what band will be representing Canada at the holy land of metal, better known as Wacken Open Air in Germany.  The dates and locations for the 2019 battles have been announced, which you can check out down below (with a few cities still waiting for dates).  As you may have heard, the competition is adding St. John's and Halifax to its list of participating cities, and to switch things up a bit, the national finals will be held in Calgary this year.

One band to rule them all!  The band chosen to represent Canada will have the opportunity to share the festival with bands like Sabaton, Parkway Drive, Rose Tattoo, Demons & Wizards, Within Temptation, Powerwolf, Airbourne, Meshuggah and many others.  To bands interested in participating in the 2019 battle can apply here.  Deadline to submit is this Friday, December 21st.
Full set of 2018 winners Centuries Of Decay:
Metal Battle 2019 Promo Video:
Wacken Metal Battle Canada organizer JJ Tartaglia comments on the 2019 battles:
​“I think these new changes for 2019 will be a big help in keeping Metal Battle Canada exciting for both the bands and the audience.  The idea of moving around the national final has been tossed around for a while now, so holding the finals in Calgary this year will be a refreshing twist on the structure.  And the East Coast!  As a Maritimer myself, I couldn’t be happier with the addition of Halifax and St. John’s, now making these events truly coast to coast.”

Winner of this year's Wacken Metal Battle Canada national final will receive $2,000 CAD towards airfare to travel and perform at the 30th edition of Wacken Open Air, taking place from August 1st - 3rd, 2019 in Wacken, Germany.  The Canadian champion will also have the opportunity to win monetary and gear prizes from the international Wacken Metal Battle.  International prizes listed below, plus more info can be found here.
​For more info:

Official Website: http://www.metalbattle.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MetalBattleCanada
Twitter: @MetalBattleCAN
Instagram: @MetalBattleCan
YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/WackenMetalBattleCAN

For more info on Wacken Open Air, please visit 
​http://www.wacken.com
​
​2018 Battles Sponsors:

Rehearsal Factory
Pearl Drums
Boonsdale Records
TicketFly
Los Cabos Drumsticks
Dungeonworks
The Invisible Orange
Concertworks
Big Nate Productions
Rose Management
Indie Week
Ibanez
Sunrise Records
​​2018 Battles Media Partners:

Absolute Underground
Asher Media Relations
Beatroute Magazine
Bravewords
Broken Neck Radio
Bucketlist Music Reviews
CJLO
Hellbound
Metal Master Kingdom
Metal Nation
Metal-Rules
Ondes Chocs
Pure Grain Audio
Pure Rock Radio
Quebec-Metal
Zombitrol
MetalBattle.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
]]><![CDATA[Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2019 Band Submissions -Deadline Dec 21st, 2018]]>Mon, 17 Dec 2018 19:49:44 GMThttps://www.metalmasterkingdom.com/wmbc-2019-2018--2016/wacken-metal-battle-canada-2019-band-submissions-deadline-dec-21st-2018
Picture
​National Final In Calgary

One Unsigned Canadian Band To Play Wacken Open Air 2019
​
National Final Winner Will Receive $2,000 CAD Towards Travel!
​One band to rule them all! Going on its sixth year, Wacken Metal Battle Canada returns to present one unsigned Canadian band to conquer hundreds and perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air. The 2019 line up includes Sabaton, Parkway Drive, Demons & Wizards, Powerwolf, Airbourne, Rose Tattoo, Within Temptation, Meshuggah and many more. Full details here.

Bands interested in participating in 2019 battles can apply at http://www.metalbattle.ca
Deadline to submit December 21st.
Year six of these battles is a very exciting one because, for the first time, Wacken Metal Battle Canada will be expanding to St. John’s, NL and Halifax, NS to make the competition officially coast to coast. A full list of participating regions listed below.
​ON – Toronto
ON – Hamilton
ON – Ottawa
QC – Montreal
QC – Quebec City
SK – Saskatoon
AB – Calgary
AB – Edmonton
BC – Vancouver/Lower Mainland
BC – Island
BC – Interior
NL – St. John’s
NS – Halifax
​In addition to the expansion to the East coast, Wacken Metal Battle Canada will be hosting the 2019 national final for the first time in Western Canada. The host city will be Calgary, AB, moving it from Toronto, ON, where the national final has been held for the last 5 years.
​
Wacken Metal Battle Canada organizer JJ Tartaglia comments:
​“I think these new changes for 2019 will be a big help in keeping Metal Battle Canada exciting for both the bands and the audience. The idea of moving around the national final has been tossed around for a while now, so holding the finals in Calgary this year will be a refreshing twist on the structure. And the East Coast! As a Maritimer myself, I couldn’t be happier with the addition of Halifax and St. John’s, now making these events truly coast to coast.”
Wacken Metal Battle Canada Promo Video.
​Video of 2018 Champion Centuries of Decay at
Wacken Open Air.
​Winner of this year’s Wacken Metal Battle Canada national final will receive $2,000 CAD towards airfare to travel and perform at the 30th edition of Wacken Open Air taking place from August 1st – 3rd, 2019 in Wacken, Germany. The Canadian champion will also have the opportunity to win monetary and gear prizes from the international Wacken Metal Battle. International prizes listed below plus more info can be found here.
​
Winners of the International Wacken Metal Battle will receive cash and other prizes (2019 prizes still to be announced).
​2018 Prizes were the following: 

1st Place
– Slot to play at the Full Metal Holiday Festival in Mallorca including flight and accommodation
– 5000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!
2nd Place
– 4000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!
3rd Place
– 3000€ from the company Pohl-Boskamp and more!
4th Place
– 2000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!
5th Place
– 1000€ from the Wacken Foundation and more!
​
​List of previous Canadian winners:
Centuries of Decay (2018)
Profaner (2016)
Vesperia (2015)
Mutank (2014)
Crimson Shadows (2013)
​About:
Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and representing Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken , Germany for the last 29 years. The winner of Wacken Metal Battle Canada will perform at the 2019 festival taking place from August 1st – 3rd.
​For more info:
Official Website: http://www.metalbattle.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MetalBattleCanada
Twitter: @MetalBattleCAN
Instagram: @MetalBattleCan
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/user/WackenMetalBattleCAN
For more info on Wacken Open Air, please visit 
​http://www.wacken.com
​2018 Battles Sponsors:
Rehearsal Factory
Pearl Drums
Boonsdale Records
TicketFly
Los Cabos Drumsticks
Dungeonworks
The Invisible Orange
Concertworks
Big Nate Productions
Rose Management
Indie Week
Ibanez
Sunrise Records
​2018 Battles Media Partners:
Absolute Underground
Asher Media Relations
Beatroute Magazine
Bravewords
Broken Neck Radio
Bucketlist Music Reviews
CJLO
Hellbound
Metal Master Kingdom
Metal Nation
Metal-Rules
Ondes Chocs
Pure Grain Audio
Pure Rock Radio
Quebec-Metal
Zombitrol
MetalBattle.ca | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
]]>