Live music events company Rock Island Events is organising Wacken Metal Battle (WMB) Cyprus, which will take place for the first time in January 2026 and marks Cyprus’ official entry into one of the world’s most prestigious international music competitions.
The event will take place on 17 January, 2026 at Savino Live, Larnaca.
Wacken Metal Battle operates in over 95 countries and leads to a live performance at Wacken Open Air in Germany, the largest metal festival globally.
For 2026, Cyprus is joining the competition as part of a Greece–Cyprus region. Local bands will compete through live showcase events in Cyprus, with the winner advancing to a regional final in Athens and ultimately to Germany. The initiative is designed to spotlight Cypriot talent and connect the local music scene with established international platforms.
Rock Island Events has been actively developing grassroots and culturally supported music initiatives in Cyprus over recent years and Wacken Metal Battle represents a significant next step in positioning Cyprus within an international cultural framework.
Mike Angastiniotis, Co-Founder, Rock Island Events, comments, “This is about more than heavy metal music. It’s about giving Cypriot artists real access to international opportunities and showing that Cyprus can participate meaningfully in global cultural movements.”
Melina Green, Co-Founder, Rock Island Events, adds, “Cultural export is often discussed in theory, but initiatives like this make it tangible. When a Cypriot band performs on a global stage, they represent the island’s creativity, professionalism, and contemporary culture far beyond our borders.”
More about Wacken festival: www.wacken.com
More about Wacken Metal Battle Cyprus: https://www.rock-island-events.com/wacken-metal-battle-greece-cyprus
