WACKEN METAL BATTLE 2026 : Metro Vancouver Elimination Round 1. Mach 5, 2026 @ Astoria Pub

Name: WACKEN METAL BATTLE 2026 : Metro Vancouver Elimination Round 1. Mach 5, 2026 @ Astoria Pub
Start: 2026-03-05T19:00:00-08:00
Location: Astoria Pub

Schedule

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Astoria Pub | Vancouver, BC

The annual WACKEN METAL BATTLE is BACK for 2026!!
WACKEN METAL BATTLE is an international band contest, established in 2004, that aims at discovering new talent and supporting the scene worldwide. With this, the Wacken Open Air supports up & coming artists on a global scale, offering its resources and stages (https://www.metal-battle.com/).
The Metal Battle has grown to include 62 countries that hold national heats and are eligible to send the winners to Wacken. An international jury votes on the performances, the best groups receive financial support from the Wacken Foundation as well as instruments and equipment provided by Metal Battle’s partners. Last but not least, the contest offers the possibility to get in touch with people from the music business worldwide. The contest has supported several bands throughout the years and has been a pivotal career launchpad for bands like Drone, Torture Squad, Battle Beast and Hammercult, to name a few.

THE CHALLENGERS FOR THIS ROUND ARE:

THE EVAN WILLIAMS PROJECT
The Evan Williams Project started as a solo project in 2017 and has since grown into a four-piece band built for the stage. Drawing from backgrounds in live music and theatre, EWP delivers tight, high-impact performances that feel intentional but never sterile. The goal is simple: play loud, play hard, and make the room feel something. Bonus points if someone ends up in the pit.
Self-described as genre-agnostic, EWP refuses to lock itself into a single sound. Their catalogue moves fluidly between alternative progressive rock, hard rock, and thrash metal, unified by guitar-driven songwriting, strong hooks, and an emphasis on groove and momentum. Each release stands on its own, but the throughline is intensity, honesty, and music that works best when it’s felt in the body, not just heard.
Beyond the music, The Evan Williams Project is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming community. Their work openly engages with themes of mental health and neurodivergence, pushing a message rooted in empathy, justice, and mutual care. With a lineup that includes Scott’s sister on drums, the band brings both firepower and genuine connection to everything they do.
https://www.instagram.com/theevanwilliamsproject
https://www.facebook.com/evanwilliamsproject
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4u1eWCzGNY6elzEjseBOnJ

CIRCLE OF TITANS
Progressive, psychedelic, and sludgy alternative metal from the mountaintops.
https://www.instagram.com/circleoftitans
https://www.facebook.com/people/Circle-Of-Titans/100094746977289/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ht9LLKmhwkjbSM0fP7B3g

HEATHANZ SINZ
Heathanz Sinz are an old school, groove/thrash metal band from Langley BC with members from Canada, Brazil and Colombia. The band believes that music has the power to bring people together and create meaningful experiences. Heathanz Sinz approaches every event with this philosophy in mind, ensuring every detail is perfect. There is nothing the band loves more than cranking up their gear, getting on stage and ripping it up! Sharing energy with the crowd fuels their souls. They strive to put on a great show for the audience with their heavy riffs, haunting lyrics and get everyone banging their heads with them!
https://www.instagram.com/heathanz_sinz_band
https://www.facebook.com/HeathanzSinzBand/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6pHbitbLnj00hOViLI8i6X

DESERTED
A brand new metalcore band out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Deserted came together with the common goal of taking a refreshed approach to modern-day metalcore and bringing it to today's metal scene. A dynamic 4-piece consisting of Harry on vocals, Sean on Bass, Chris on Drums and Jaxon on Guitar, they approach their songwriting by tapping into the nostalgic melodies and harmonies of metalcore from the 2000s and 2010s and mixing that with a style of brutal breakdowns and screams that many metal fans have come to recognize as a highlight of today's metal.
https://instagram.com/deserted.band
https://facebook.com/deserted.band
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yyUMz5WuuZyvk6RBImpmy

OMNIESIA
In the late spring of 2023, the minds of Tyson Lanting and Charles Leake joined together to breathe life into a shared vision. A vision of melody, groove, and speed. The duo released their debut album "Self Possessed" on November 16, 2024, solidifying their music into perpetuity. Their vision sparked a resurgence of heavy and aggressive music in their hometown of Chilliwack.
In 2025, Omniesia saw a major reformation with the introduction of new members, Owen Lanteigne on bass and Andrew Hadden on drums. This new lineup has already proved themselves capable of fulfilling their mantels, playing shows and progressing through to the band's next release. The creation of music and passion for performing has never been stronger. Omniesia will continue to challenge themselves and will always bring you the best possible experience that metal can offer.
https://www.instagram.com/omniesia_band
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554425837052
https://spotify.link/1fvz7RM0HXb

***Ages 19 and over***