Metal Hammer heavy metal magazine celebrated its resurrection in 2017 with a party for its readers at the Golden God Awards 2017 in association with Orange Amplification.
Taking place at IndigO2 in London last night (June 12), the event was hosted by WWE superstar and Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho, and celebrated the best of heavy metal from the past 12 months as well as performances from some of the genre’s most exciting bands.
Black Sabbath, collected the evening's main honour - the Golden God award presented by Roadrunner Records. Founding member and metal legend Tony Iommi was on hand to collect the gong in the year that saw the end of the band’s final, 81-date world tour and 49-year career. Other winners on the night included Iron Maiden, Architects and Prophets Of Rage.
“After a difficult end to last year in which the future of our magazine looked uncertain, we couldn’t have thought of a better way to celebrate our comeback,” said Metal Hammer editor Merlin Alderslade. “From the one and only Chris Jericho returning to host our awards for a record-breaking third time, to seeing legends like Tony Iommi, Tom Morello and Chuck D walk out on stage, to honouring the contemporary names who make our scene great, it was the kind of evening that only the Golden Gods can provide.
"As always, though, the most important thing was the metal community coming together again – and we salute everyone who has supported us in the last year and beyond, be it by coming to the show, buying our magazine or simply spreading the good word of heavy. Horns up!”
Mastodon headlined the evening’s ceremony with a live set in what was one of their most intimate performances in years. Opening the show were Orange Goblin whose frontman Ben Ward, along with his partner Sandie Soriano, was behind the incredible campaign to raise money for TeamRock (Metal Hammer’s then parent company) staff following the closure of Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Prog magazines. In recognition of their efforts, the duo picked up the Defender Of The Faith award presented by Orange Amplification.
Here is the full list of Metal Hammer Golden God Awards in association with Orange Amplification winners:
Best New Band: Venom Prison
Best Underground Band: Pallbearer
Best UK Band: Architects
Breakthrough Band presented by World Of Tanks: Avatar
Best Live Band presented by Monster Energy: Mastodon
Best International Band presented by Nuclear Blast: Avenged Sevenfold
Best Independent Label: Nuclear Blast
Dimebag Darrell 'Shredder': Joel O'Keeffe
Best Game: 'Legacy Of The Beast' by Iron Maiden
Riff Lord presented by Century Media: Devin Townsend
Inspiration presented by Spinefarm Records: Exodus
Best Album: ‘Magma’ by Gojira
Icon presented by Udiscover Music: The Dillinger Escape Plan
Defender Of The Faith presented by Orange Amplification: Ben Ward & Sandie Soriano
Spirit Of Hammer: Prophets Of Rage
Golden God presented by Roadrunner Records: Black Sabbath
