The Wacken Metal Battle Canada, a competition to see which Canadian metal band is worthy of performing at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival, had its fourth and final round in Vancouver at the Venue on March 30. Neck of the Woods was chosen to compete against previous winners OmnisighT, Witch of the Waste, and Over the Coals at the semifinals scheduled for May 3 at the Rickshaw Theatre.

Scrape Records owner J.J. Caithcart, one of four judges, explained that they were considering “professionalism, song structure, and confidence” in deciding who advanced. “It doesn’t mean you have to be the most technical or skilled musically,” he told the Straight. “Just: are these good songs, and is there a little bit of originality? Or if there isn’t, you have to be the best at whatever kind of subgenre you’re trying to rip off!”

Whoever emerges as the victor in May goes on to Toronto for the national finals on June 7. Wacken begins July 31.