Winners announced for Heavy Music Awards 2023 27 May 2023
Tonight, the Heavy Music Awards 2023 has announced the winners of their 2023 event, at the world's biggest celebration of rock and metal music at OVO Arena Wembley.
In the seventh year of the awards, 17 artists, festivals, and icons collected their revered Heavy Music Award in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the heavy music scene. Taking place at the historic and iconic OVO Arena Wembley – following a huge venue upgrade – a landmark year for rock and metal music to an audience of 5,000 fans and industry guests. With awards presented by Kerrang! Radio's Alex Baker and the red carpet hosted by BBC Radio 1's Alyx Holcombe and Nels Hylton, the event saw some of the biggest names in heavy music grace the legendary stage.
Renowned for showcasing the diverse global icons of heavy music at the annual event, this year saw a huge range of artists pick up awards. The acclaimed Best Albumaward went to US breakthrough metal titans Bad Omens, for their album The Death Of Peace Of Mind. Meanwhile, Halestorm – who also performed an intimate unplugged set at the event with lauded guitarist Sophie Lloyd – accepted the award for Best International Artist, cementing their status as the band not to miss when they're in the UK. Additional performances from Creeper, Loathe, Underoath and Boston Manor raised the roof, playing hit after hit for the packed arena.
The seminal Pioneer Award has been awarded to Biffy Clyro in honour of their trailblazing innovation in heavy music and outstanding contribution in delivering rock into the mainstream. Another legend recognised at the awards was broadcaster and BBC Radio 1 Rock Show DJ Daniel P Carter, receiving the Icon Award for his steadfast dedication in championing the scene throughout his storied career.
Gothic storytellers Motionless In White took home the award for Best Video for their visually striking Werewolf and its graphic depiction of a graveyard party. Yorkshire hardcore icons Malevolence were awarded Best Album Artwork for the artistically expansive sleeve of Malicious Intent, created by the iconic Eliran Kantor. Vukovi took the award for Best Production following the breakout success of 2022's NULA and put on a fiery transatlantic performance with pink princess Scene Queen.
UK artists were also recognised by two awards, with the incendiary Skindred winning Best UK Live Artist whilst fast-rising anonymous collective Sleep Token topped the tables and won Best UK Artist. 2022's Best Live Artist winners Enter Shikari took the prize for Best Single with The Void Stares Back ft. Wargasm. More Heavy Music Awards alumni sought out wins also, with Germany's Electric Callboy taking home the win for Best International Live Artist this year, after taking home the Best Video for Pump It last year.
The breakthrough categories recognised the up-and-coming artists breathing fresh life into the scene. Winners of Best UK Breakthrough Artist were Nottingham pop-punkers As December Falls, whilst breakaway TikTok star Charlotte Sands won Best Breakthrough Album. Emo-crossover newcomers Static Dress took home the Best Breakthrough Live Artist whilst nu-metal provocateur Scene Queen took home Best International Breakthrough Artist.
Recognising not only the artists, but also the scene that facilities them, the Heavy Music Awards shared two awards acknowledging festivals, with Teddy Rocks being announced earlier this week as winners of the H Award, whilst the annual metalhead pilgrimage of Download Festival took the award for Best Festival.
The Heavy Music Awards was attended by celebrities including secret heavy music fans Ed Gamble, Joel Dommett, Dougie and Danny from McFly and guitarist Sophie Lloyd,
Since its inception back in 2017, the Heavy Music Awards has certified itself as a staple of the heavy music calendar, supporting bands from their seminal gigs all the way up to sold out, globe-trotting stadium tours. This year was no different, marked by an incredible venue upgrade, a record number of performances and a truly unforgettable event, setting the tone for years to come.
WINNERS IN FULL
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Best UK Breakthrough Artist As December Falls
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Best Production Vukovi
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Best Breakthrough Live Artist Static Dress
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Best International Artist Halestorm
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Best UK Live Artist Skindred
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Best UK Artist Sleep Token
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Best Video Motionless In White
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Pioneer Award Biffy Clyro
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Best Album Bad Omens
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Best Album Artwork Malevolence
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Best International Breakthrough Artist Scene Queen
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Best Single Enter Shikari
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Best Festival Download Festival
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Icon Award Daniel P Carter
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Best International Live Artist Electric Callboy
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Best Breakthrough Album Charlotte Sands
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The H Award Teddy Rocks Festival
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THE HEADLINES
Tariffs, tours, and trade wars: Why music investment won’t slow down (see Comment)
Unintended consequences – the year ahead for streaming (see Comment)
Spotify’s latest update gives users more control over their listening experience (see Digital)
Has music reached peak fragmentation? (see Analysis)
How LA is rebuilding the music industry after the fires (see Features)
Ministers reconsider changes to UK copyright law ahead of vote (see News)
How Ticketmaster swallowed the live entertainment scene (see Features)
Spotify executive on why 'per-stream rate' is one of the most misleading metrics in music (see Opinion)
BPI responds to government’s proposed amendments to the Data Bill related to AI and copyright (see News)
‘AI and intellectual property — a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries’ (see Opinion)
BPI's new Yearbook reveals Country music's surging popularity (see News)
How Live Nation calls the tune for the live music industry (see Features)
How economic volatility will impact US labels’ fandom monetisation push (see Comment)
Spotify is said to be raising its subscription prices across Europe and Latin America (see Digital)
Culture Secretary to review the Music Export Growth Scheme (see News)