Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
Wretched Sea
Must finish first in their group to advance to the Semifinals.
BONUS MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITY Must be first in their group on Monday, 11/16 at 11:59 PM ET / 8:59 PM PT for a chance to be selected for a one-on-one mentorship with Kevin Jonas Sr. (The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato).
Voting for this round ends on November 19, 2026 at 10:00 PM EST
About Wretched Sea
Wretched Sea is a melodic progressive death metal band from NorCal. Blending crushing riffs with a dynamic mix of clean and extreme vocals, we create a powerful contrast of chaos and beauty. Ready to bring fierce energy to Next Music Star!
Performances & Content from Wretched Sea
Wretched Sea – The Way Leads Home (Official Live Video)
Learn More About Wretched Sea
What makes you the Next Music Star?
Wretched Sea brings a powerful, distinctive energy to modern metal. We combine crushing riffs, intricate progressive structures, and deep melodic layers with a dynamic contrast between clean vocals and fierce death metal growls. As a NorCal band, we deliver an intense, emotionally charged live experience rooted in authenticity, musicianship, and passion. We don't just play music—we create an atmosphere, forge a connection with our audience, and leave a lasting impression. We're here to push boundaries, bring something unique to the metal scene, and prove why Wretched Sea is the Next Music Star.
What do you love about music and performing?
Music is our way of channeling raw human emotion into something powerful, intense, and meaningful. We love the contrast between crushing heaviness and haunting melodies, between aggression and atmosphere. But what makes performing live truly special is the unity it creates. When the band and the crowd become one through the music, individual voices, struggles, and differences fade into the background, replaced by a shared force that everyone can feel. That connection is what makes live metal so powerful—and why we love bringing Wretched Sea to the stage.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
Wretched Sea draws inspiration from a diverse range of heavy music legends. Our influences span the melodic intensity of Children of Bodom and Alexi Laiho, the raw energy and stage presence of Dave Williams from Drowning Pool, the dark atmosphere of Type O Negative, the groove of Korn, the industrial aggression of Fear Factory, the thrash metal legacy of Exodus, and the relentless intensity of Devildriver. We’re also inspired by the dark theatricality of Cradle of Filth and Marilyn Manson. These different influences come together to shape a sound that’s uniquely our own. When it comes to dream collaborators, sharing the stage or creating music with powerhouse acts like Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold, or Devin Townsend would be incredible. We admire artists who push boundaries, have a distinctive identity, and aren't afraid to take risks creatively. Ultimately, we'd love to collaborate with musicians who challenge us to evolve and create something truly unforgettable.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
Winning the $10,000 Grand Prize would be a huge step forward for Wretched Sea. As an independent band, we fund everything ourselves, from recording and mixing to mastering, equipment, and video production. This prize would help us invest in better recording gear, produce high-quality cinematic music videos, and secure reliable transportation to bring our live show to more venues and audiences. Beyond growing as a band, we also believe in using music to make a positive impact. We want to continue supporting charity events and benefit shows whenever we can. This prize wouldn't just help us create better music—it would help us reach more people, grow our presence in the metal scene, and give back to our community. We'd use it to build something lasting for Wretched Sea and the people our music reaches.
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Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.
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