Throughout the world, from the smallest rehearsal room to the largest stage, Washburn Guitars are recognized as some of the finest instruments on the planet. As part of the Wacken-Universum, W:0:A Metal-Battle has become a very strong name in the worldwide metal music scene. In order to further support the growing metal scene Washburn and W:0:A Metal-Battle have recently teamed up to offer metal music talents a whole new communication platform. 

Launched on August 4th, 2008 at the 19th Annual Wacken Open Air Festival, Washburn and W:0:A Metal Battle announced the first Metal Battle/Washburn Riff Contest. The contest allows participants 18 and older to upload a 35 second clip of their best riffs to YouTube to be presented on the site and voted on by fans from the metal community. Record your riff at home, at a Washburn dealer, the contest area of a Washburn Exhibition booth or anywhere you like, all that matters is "Are you Metal enough to win?". Riffs must be recorded on a Washburn guitar and last no longer than 35 seconds. If your clip is voted in the top 13, you can win a great prize including a brand new Washburn HM series custom shop guitar and a chance to play your riff live on stage!

The upload phase of the contest will close April 5th, 2009. You may upload 2 different 35 second clips (see rules for details). The voting phase will close June 20th, 2009. Winners will be determined and informed on or about June 21st, 2009, just a couple of weeks before The Wacken Open Air Festival 2009.  There are also prizes for Voters in the Voters raffle.

Upload your video at www.youtube.com and copy the URL and embed code for the video into the contest submission form on the Riff Contest site (under 'Submit'). Clips must be no longer than 35 seconds.

Further information is available at www.riffcontest.com

The world is ready to hear and see your heaviest riffs...LET THE BATTLE BEGIN.