Round two of our Band Contest is over, and you have spoken! Out of the eight bands from Round 1, two finalists have emerged. Tomorrow, they will go head-to-head once more on Instagram in the battle for the Saturday opening slot at Impericon Festival 2026.
We present our two finalists:
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While Oceans Burn
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Escape The Madness
We can't wait to see who you choose tomorrow. Head over to the stories at @impericonde to cast your vote!
But first, let's take a closer look at the acts and their music:
WHILE OCEANS BURN
While Oceans Burn hits with heavy riffs, suffocating atmospheres, and the kind of energy that hits you before the first breakdown even drops. This is metalcore built to be felt, not just heard.
The band's sound lives in the tension between brutality and emotion. Every track is constructed around contrast. They just play songs that mean something and a live show to match the energy.
ESCAPE THE MADNESS
Metalcore outfit ESCAPE THE MADNESS from Chemnitz has reached the final of the Impericon Festival voting—and they didn't do it alone, but alongside a community that has been driving them for over ten years.
What began as a small project is now, more than ever, a testament to what friendship, passion, solidarity, and tireless support can achieve. Without a label, without management, or a large network—everything ESCAPE THE MADNESS has achieved is, above all, one thing: DIY.
This connection has long since gone beyond their own music: driven by this very spirit, the band even launched their own festival series—GRIMEVILLE FEST. It was born from the desire to strengthen the underground scene and give a stage to artists who all too often go unheard.
After last year's 10th-anniversary tour, which felt like a personal career highlight, 2026 is proving that they are far from reaching their limit. The band is currently touring through Germany and the Czech Republic, picking up exactly where they left off.
For the five musicians from Chemnitz, Germany, reaching the final of the Impericon voting feels like a true full-circle moment: Years before the band ever stood on a stage themselves, the Impericon Festival was one of the places that shaped their passion for this music and this scene. Back then, they were teenagers in the audience—today, they have the chance to return: no longer as visitors, but as a band on stage.
For ESCAPE THE MADNESS, this contest is a collective success—carried by all the people who have accompanied, supported, and believed in the band for years. As a thank you for this incredible support, the band is already promising: new music is on the way—and more than ever, it will reflect exactly what defines ESCAPE THE MADNESS.
Checked out both acts? Then set your reminder and vote for your favorite in the final on Instagram tomorrow!
You can secure your tickets for the Impericon Festival on our festival page. Come by, grab punch with us, and be there live when the winners of the Band Contest open their set on Saturday. Highlights like Rise Against and Landmvrks await you that same evening!
