Rock Monsters Romania

Wacken Metal Battle Romania returns in full force for 2025, once again offering local metal bands the chance to step onto one of the world’s most revered stages. The national final is set to take place on June 28 at Club Quantic in Bucharest, marking the climax of Romania’s most important underground metal competition.

Six bands from Romania and the Republic of Moldova have advanced to the final round, where they will compete live for the chance to represent Romania at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival in Germany — the world’s largest metal gathering, which attracts over 80,000 fans each year and celebrates all metal subgenres.

Finalist bands for 2025:

Dark Structure (Chișinău, Republic of Moldova) — Intense deathcore featuring razor-sharp riffs and massive breakdowns. They are a strong presence in the Moldovan extreme scene.

Diluvian Collapse (Timișoara) — Progressive death metal with atmospheric touches, known for complex compositions and powerful live energy.

Era Divina (Iași) — Symphonic metal with gothic influences, blending orchestral elegance with heavy riffs and dramatic vocals.

Hiraeth (Iași) — Melancholic, introspective post-metal, characterized by elaborate soundscapes and emotional intensity.

Imprudent (Iași) — Direct, brutal hardcore punk, a bold new voice in the Eastern European underground.

Overburn (Alba Iulia) — Explosive heavy/thrash metal, deeply rooted in old-school sound and delivering an unrestrained stage presence.

In addition to the competition itself, the event will include two special guest performances:

Doomsday Astronaut (Sibiu) — Winners of Wacken Metal Battle Romania 2024, this experimental prog metal group fuses post-rock, alternative, and doom elements into a cinematic and deeply immersive experience.

Graufar (Vienna) — Austria’s representatives at Wacken Metal Battle 2024, known for their atmospheric, ritualistic black metal inspired by Central European folklore.

The Wacken Metal Battle is an international contest dedicated to emerging metal bands, giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent on one of the most iconic metal stages in the world.

This year’s national final promises an evening of fierce competition, high energy, and unforgettable live performances — a true celebration of the underground spirit and a crucial platform for the next generation of heavy music in Romania.