OFFAL FEST Launches “Battle of the Slams” for Rising Extreme Metal Acts

Rancid Offal Promotions, the organisers behind events such as Offal Fest and Goremageddon, have launched a brand-new showcase series designed to spotlight the next generation of extreme metal talent and provide one emerging act with the opportunity to open Offal Fest 2026.

This competition invites fans to play a direct role in the festival’s curation, as attendees at each heat will be responsible for voting for their favourite bands to determine who progresses to the final stage. The showcase series is built on a commitment to supporting the local scene and rising international talent, ensuring the festival’s opening slot is earned through pure live intensity and crowd support.

The competition begins with Heat 1 on 8 February 2026, which features a heavy-hitting billing including Vast Slug, World War Three, Erectomy and Mindhold. This will be followed quickly by Heat 2 on 22 February 2026, where Combat Evolved, Dushman, 12 Gauge Autopsy and War Bastard will take to the stage to compete for their place in the final.

Organisers have emphasised that every single vote matters and have encouraged the community to turn out in force to support these rising acts. While the dates for the preliminary rounds are now set, the date for the final will be announced in due course and is set to feature a surprise guest headliner to close out the competition.

“We are so stoked to give these bands a real shot at opening the big stage next year,” says the team at Rancid Offal Promotions. “The scene is absolutely crawling with talent right now, and letting the fans decide who gets onto the Offal Fest bill feels like the best way to keep things authentic. Make sure you get down to the heats and vote, because your voice is literally what puts these guys on the poster for July.“

Tickets for the showcase heats are available now and can be purchased through the official competition website at https://battleoftheslams.com/. Further details regarding the surprise headliner and the final date will be released via social media channels in the coming months.

Dedicated to the most extreme facets of gore, grind, slam, and brutal death metal, Offal Fest has solidified its status as a vital fixture in the international metal calendar following its sold-out 2025 edition. The 2026 festival, scheduled for 24-26 July at its new Manchester home, The Bread Shed, is headlined by two major UK-exclusive performances from genre pioneers Devourment and Ohio powerhouse Regurgitation, the latter making their debut appearance on UK soil. The comprehensive lineup features a global roster including New York legends Immortal Suffering, Japan’s Butcher ABC, and Korea’s Fecundation, alongside a formidable domestic contingent headlined by the “wobble-box” specialists Crepitation and the official reunion of Infected Disarray. Bolstered by further international talent such as Guttural Slug, Unbirth and Darkall Slaves, Offal Fest 2026 aims to build upon the momentum of previous years, which saw exclusive sets from acts like Skinless and Wormed, to provide a definitive weekend of brutality for the global extreme music community.