Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Awards Announced For 2013

Award shows in the metal world, much like lists, are a necessary evil. Nothing quite gets people talking as much as an organisation declaring that something is ‘the best’ in it’s field and, whether it’s civil or not, there’s usually some interesting points raised. So, with that in mind, let’s take a gander at the results of the latest Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, one of the biggest if not the biggest UK metal award show of the year.

First up, congratulations are obviously in order for The Algorithm, winning Best Underground Band — going by their debut Polymorphic Code, released late last year through Basick, they definitely deserve it. Bleed From Within snatched up the award for Best New Band and, while I haven’t got round to checking out their latest Uprising yet, I can get behind that too. Giving Gojira the award for Best Live Band is a no-brainer, on their most recent UK run they blew Ghost off the stage — a band that are widely revered for their live show. Finally, Brian Blessed got the ‘Spirit Of Hammer’ Award. If any of you disagree with that, I don’t even know what is wrong with you.

On the other hand, Black Sabbath‘s 13 winning best album artwork is a little questionable — it’s not bad by any means, but it’s a little straightforward. Also, I have to admit Stone Sour beating out Deftones for Best International Band and Asking Alexandria nixing Kvelertak in Best Breakthrough Band irked me a bit.

You can read the full list after the jump, courtesy of the omniscient PRP:

Best New Band:

Winner:
Bleed From Within

Other nominees:

Thy Art Is Murder
Crossfaith
Upon A Burning Body
Bury Tomorrow

Best Underground Band:

Winner:
The Algorithm

Other nominees:

Royal Thunder
Black Breath
Hexvessel
Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats

‘Dimebag Darrell Shredder’ Award:

Winner:
Eric Calderone

Other nominees:

Johan Söderberg and Olavi Mikkonen (Amon Amarth)
Andy James (Sacred Mother Tongue)
Fredrik Akesson (Opeth)
Paul Waggoner (Between The Buried And Me)

Breakthrough Band Award:

Winner:
Asking Alexandria

Other nominees:

While She Sleeps
Motionless In White
Kvelertak
Periphery
Best Live Band Award:

Winner:
Gojira

Other nominees:

Limp Bizkit
Clutch
Airbourne
Sabaton

Best Event Award:

Winner:
The Heavy Metal Census Campaign

Other nominees:

Ginger Wildheart Smashing The Music Industry
Anthrax On Mars
Dave Grohl’s Sound City Players
Devin Townsend’s Retinal Circus

Best International Band Award:

Winner:
Stone Sour

Other nominees:

Parkway Drive
Deftones
Five Finger Death Punch
Down

Best UK Band Award:

Winner:
Black Sabbath

Other nominees:

Bring Me The Horizon
Motörhead
Paradise Lost
Bullet For My Valentine

Best Album Award:

Winner:
Black Sabbath – “13“

Metal As Fuck Award:

Winner:
Burgerkill

Other nominees:

Sea Shepherd
Nergal
Jason Newsted
Pussy Riot

Inspiration Award:

Winner:
Paradise Lost

Riff Lord Award:

Winner:
Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy/Black Star Riders)

Spirit Of Hammer Award:

Winner:
Brian Blessed

Legend Award:

Winner:
Doro

Icon Award:

Winner:
Alice In Chains

The Golden God Award:

Winner:
Motörhead

There you have it. An interesting selection for sure.

– DL