The Invisible Orange presents: WACKEN METAL BATTLE 2026: BC Semi Final. 

After a fierce competition, the following bands will proceed to the BC semi final round, to be held at Astoria Pub on March 28:

Metro Vancouver round 1 winner:
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

Metro Vancouver round 2 winner:
CRÃœZER
EARTHLINGS!!! Prepare for a cosmic thrashing assault! Cruzer are a ragtag group of intergalactic rebels hellbent on crafting the sickest tunes for cruzing down the interstellar highway. Featuring the celestial vocals of Eric Willmott, the duelling cosmic shreddage of Ben Higgins & Nico Miraftab, and the planet-crushing rhythm section of Alex Gain (drums) and Esteban Lleuful (bass); their debut EP, "Look to the Skies," is available on all streaming platforms and bandcamp now!
https://www.instagram.com/cruzermuzik/
https://www.facebook.com/cruzermuzik
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lpxHDuZAtCjtqR1qzVvze

BC Interior round winner:
DEAD AFTER DARK
Dead After Dark is a modern metalcore band hailing from the Okanagan, BC. Consisting of Lance MacBain and Lisa Calfa, the band blends heavy breakdowns, melodic clean choruses and crushing riffs to create an intense, yet dynamic sound. Drawing inspiration from bands like Spiritbox, Make Them Suffer and After the Burial, Dead After Dark crafts music that pushes the boundaries of metalcore while maintaining a deeply emotional and powerful atmosphere.

Shared stage with: Floodgate, Opal In Sky, Salem Trials, Art of Attrition, Beguiler, Planetkiller, Our Last Crusade, The Unending, Endr, Deathbound, Pharm, All Was Lost, Shotgun Divine, Die Another Day, Death Bound, Future Void, Bucket.
https://www.instagram.com/deadafterdarkband/
https://www.facebook.com/deadafterdark
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5N2WEp5ju0Prj6QHcG40Dj

Vancouver Island round winner:
EMPALEMENT
Empalement is an extreme metal band from Victoria, BC, Canada. Inspired heavily by second-wave black metal, their sound also draws from death, grind, and other forms of extreme music, combining unholy aggression with a dark, cinematic atmosphere.
https://www.instagram.com/empalement/
https://www.facebook.com/Empalement
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Ph9iovG0i6yyKwphl4f2b

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.

***Ages 19 and over***