So we now know who the winners of the GMA Awards 2021 were, but to wrap up the event in it's entirety and bid farewell to 2021 and usher in 2022, we must turn to the last bunch of awards - 'Metal Release By Country / Area'.

     Usually these would include the flag of the band's nation, but given the events in Afghanistan this year among other political turmoil, I felt it would be prudent to forgo any flags and just list the winners.... so without further ado here are the....

The votes are in, have been counted, vetted and verified.
So without further ado, we present the winners of the
2021 Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) awards.
​
All categories except "Release Of The Year"
came with an 'other' option.

See you in December 2022

​

​

​
​Global Metal Release Of The Year

​
​Breakthrough African Band

​
Breakthrough European Band

     British Lion, the ‘up close and personal’ side project band of Iron Maiden bassist & founder Steve Harris, have released a brand new video, ‘Land Of The Perfect People’. Watch here.
 
     Taken from their 2020 album The Burning, the song’s lyrics were written by vocalist Richard Taylor who comments, “It's about abandonment and issues from being brought up in a children's home."
 
     Although a summer European tour in support of The Burning couldn’t go ahead last year as planned, British Lion have now been confirmed for the 2022 UK Download Festival and are very much hoping to also reschedule some other European club and festival dates. All updates will be posted on www.britishlionuk.com

    
     UK festival favourites Skindred have signed a new global four album deal with Earache Records, with each band member signing the deal in different endangered music venues across the country.
 
     Earache Records have long been one of the most exciting, forward-thinking and important rock labels in the world, having pioneered many extreme metal bands and in recent years enjoying Top 40 success with bands such as Blackberry Smoke, Buckcherry, Massive Wagons, Rival Sons and The Temperance Movement. Once upon a time they also released the first two Dub Wars albums, the first band fronted by Skindred singer Benji Webbe.
 

Earache Records MD Digby Pearson says:

     “We could not be more thrilled to be signing Skindred. They are such a truly unique and much-loved band. We have all been huge fans of them since Day 1 and have followed Benji’s career since the very beginning so to have Skindred sign to Earache is something that we are all extremely excited by. We are delighted to welcome Benji back to the Earache family along with his bandmates Arya, Mikey and Dan and look forward to working with them for many albums to come.”
 

     Skindred have been hailed on numerous occasions as one of the UK’s best live acts so it was only fitting that the band sign their new record deal with the UK’s most innovative rock and metal label Earache Records at some of the country’s most historic grass roots venues which face being closed permanently due to Covid-19 crisis. It’s the perfect opportunity for the band to bring further attention to these treasured venues’ plight and to show their continued support for the live industry in these challenging times.
 
     Earache’s label head Louis Lloyd spent the day travelling across the country to get the signatures from each member, setting off at 8am and covering 450 miles over 13 hours. The venues that took part in this historic signing are Le Pub in Newport (Benji), The Louisiana in Bristol (Dan), The Black Heart in London (Arya) and Brighton’s Green Door Store (Mikey), all of which are on the Music Venue Trust’s red, endangered list.
 

Skindred drummer Arya Goggin says:

     “We are so excited to announce that we are signing a worldwide deal with Earache Records. I have been a fan of the label since I started listening to heavy music. Their independent attitude and willingness to push the boundaries are something we can identify with in Skindred. It was great to ink the deal at The Black Heart in Camden and shine a light on all the struggling independent music venues too. The Music Venue Trust is something that we feel passionately about and we want these venues to thrive and be part of the future of British Music as well as being part of its history.”
 

Beverley Whitrick, the Strategic Director of Music Venue Trust says:

     “Music Venue Trust is incredibly grateful to our artist patrons who talk publicly about why grass roots music venues are important to them and their career development. When a band like Skindred do or say something to illustrate how much they value these venues, this resonates with their legion of fans and helps highlight the strong relationship between an artist and the venues and their teams. When we are still asking for donations to the #SaveOurVenues campaign to help secure the survival of the venues most at risk of imminent closure, this is more welcome than ever. To donate to one of these venues, or the overarching campaign see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-venues-red-list .”
 

Matt Doom, Venue Manager of The Black Heart says:

     “In the midst of troubling times for all, and as we come into the final throes of crowdfunding to save our much-loved independent venue due to a lack of government support, we at The Black Heart are proud to be one of the hosts for this important event. Skindred are one of the true stalwarts and champions of the UK music scene and we are stoked to witness them sign to the iconic heavy realm of Earache Records. Young bands need places to play so that they can go on to achieve the heights of what Skindred have accomplished, so it feels extremely fitting to have had them use our (currently dormant) stage for such an event, continuing them on their path from the hallowed spot of Camden Town as so many hundreds of bands do on their own journeys each year.”


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     Skindred have revealed a brand new lyric video for ‘It’s A Crime’, a rare cut from the Japanese version of Roots Rock Riot. Thirteen years after its release, Skindred are re-releasing the record, making the track available outside of Japan for the first time. The album will be available on April 23rd and can be pre-ordered here.
 

Drummer Arya Goggin recalls:

     “‘It’s a Crime’ was written in 2006 in our basement studio below St Joseph’s Boxing club in Newport. It’s where all the writing for Roots Rock Riot took place. The only reason it didn’t make the album was because of how the album track listing flowed. We were so happy with how the album progressed from the opening of chaos of 'Roots Rock Riot' to the epic ending of 'Choices And Decisions' we didn’t want to crowbar another song in needlessly. It was a hard decision to leave it out but we are so happy it’s being included in the re-release. It was always a band and producer favourite.”

 
Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, vocalist Benji Webbe explains:

     “I live in a neighbourhood (Newport, Wales) where back in the day, a lot of people were working hard and getting ripped off in life and then there are others who are just hustling and selling this and selling that. It’s just a crime that hard-working people don’t get what the thieves / criminals get.”

 
     Crafted in a boxing club, recorded in America and laying the groundwork for everything that followed it, Roots Rock Riot is an important piece of Skindred’s history – a piece that this re-release celebrates. The first record of their discography to feature what would become the permanent line-up of Benji, Arya, bassist Daniel Pugsley and guitarist Mikey Demus, it started its life as that difficult second album. What it became completely transcends that, bookending a difficult period of the band’s existence and boldly kicking down the door to the future of their illustrious career.
 

Benji remembers delivering the vocals with the same passion he employs in front of a festival crowd, and recalls:

     “I’m not one of those people who cheers when they’ve finished a record. But I’m always thankful to get to make my art, blending contemporary British music and Jamaican music, with my friends. On Roots Rock Riot I think we did that excellently.”
 

Mikey (guitars) meanwhile sees this re-release as an opportunity to examine how he and his band have come on in the years since:

     “I’m really proud of the record. I had a hell of a lot of fun making it and it features some really important Skindred tracks.”
 

Producer Matt Squire (Panic At The Disco / Neck Deep) brought the whole album to life and realises its importance in cementing Skindred as one of the most important bands in the British heavy rock scene, he explains:

     “Longevity is all about being real. Times were changing when the album was made, and if the band hadn’t been real in what they did they might have been passed off as a metal band with an innovative singer. Roots Rock Riot presented Skindred as a band with amazing songs. Those songs are made up of a crazy amalgamation of sounds, while remaining absolutely undeniable.”
 

     Available on vinyl for the first time as well as CD, the re-release of Roots Rock Riot features rare cuts and previously unheard music. As well as the complete tracklist of the original, the vinyl version of the record comes with an additional 7” containing two exclusive tracks: the aforementioned ‘It’s A Crime’ and ‘Struggle’, which was never released. The CD release also contains both those tracks and an acoustic version of ‘Destroy The Dance Floor’.
 
     If that’s not enough, the re-release is also accompanied by some exclusive merchandise pre-order bundles. Available in the bundles are three 12” vinyl colour variants (Transparent Orange, Transparent Green and a special 3-colour Red, Yellow & Green), a t-shirt and a turntable slip-mat, both of which feature a classic design from the original Roots Rock Riot release. Pre-orders are available here.
 


     The re-release of Roots Rock Riot will arrive ahead of their full UK Showtime Tour in September, joined by very special guests Royal Republic.
 
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021 SHOWTIME TOUR DATES

• Thu 23rd – Cambridge, Junction
  
• Fri 24th – Oxford, Academy
• Sat 25th – Northampton, Roadmenders
  
• Thu 30th – Leeds, Academy
  
• Fri 1st – Birmingham, Institute
  

• Sat 2nd – London, Roundhouse
• Thu 7th – Cardiff, Tramshed
• Fri 8th – Bristol, Academy
• Sat 9th – Nottingham, Rock City
  
• Sun 10th – Glasgow, SWG3
  

• Fri 15th – Southampton, Guildhall
• Fri 22nd – Sheffield, Corporation
• Sat 23rd – Newcastle, Uni Students’ Union
• Fri 29th – Bexhill, De La Warr Pavilion
• Sat 30th – Manchester, Academy
  
• Sun 31st – Norwich, UEA
  

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Thirteen years after its release, Skindred are excited to announce the re-release of their second album Roots Rock Riot. The album will be available on February 26th 2020, and can be pre-ordered now here.
 
Written in the basement of a Newport boxing club, recorded in America and laying the groundwork for everything that followed it, Roots Rock Riot is an important piece of Skindred’s history – a piece that this re-release celebrates.
 
The first record of their discography to feature what would become the permanent line-up of vocalist Benji Webbe, bassist Daniel Pugsley, guitarist Mikey Demus and drummer Arya Goggin, it started its life as that difficult second album. What it became completely transcends that, bookending a difficult period of the band’s existence and boldly kicking down the door to the future of their illustrious career.
 
Benji remembers delivering the vocals with the same passion he employs in front of a festival crowd, and recalls:-

     “I’m not one of those people who cheers when they’ve finished a record. But I’m always thankful to get to make my art, blending contemporary British music and Jamaican music, with my friends. On Roots Rock Riot I think we did that excellently.”
 
Mikey meanwhile sees this re-release as an opportunity to examine how he and his band have come on in the years since:-

     “I’m really proud of the record. I had a hell of a lot of fun making it and it features some really important Skindred tracks.”
 
Producer Matt Squire (Panic At The Disco / Neck Deep) brought the whole album to life and realises its importance in cementing Skindred as one of the most important bands in the British heavy rock scene.

     “Longevity is all about being real. Times were changing when the album was made, and if the band hadn’t been real in what they did they might have been passed off as a metal band with an innovative singer. Roots Rock Riot presented Skindred as a band with amazing songs. Those songs are made up of a crazy amalgamation of sounds, while remaining absolutely undeniable.”

World dominating, multi-award nominated Bring Me The Horizon are poised to release a highly anticipated EP entitled ‘Post Human: Survival Horror’ on October 30th via RCA.  Today, they also announced a long awaited Arena tour, kicking off on September 21st 2021 at Glasgow SSE Hydro. This will be their only live shows in the UK for 2021.
 
Continuing to push their creative boundaries, even during lockdown, the band have created a body of work that is arguably one of their most exciting, diverse, intricate pieces of music to date.
 
The first two tracks from the EP ‘Parasite Eve’ and the recent colossus ‘Obey’ featuring fellow Brit Yungblud, have received critical acclaim and amassed over 115 Million audio and video streams combined to date. Other guests on the EP include Babymetal, Nova Twins and Amy Lee from Evanescence.
 
EP –POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR’

1. Dear Diary,
2. Parasite Eve
3. Teardrops
4. Obey with YUNGBLUD
5. Itch For The Cure (When Will We Be Free?)
6. Kingslayer featt. BABYMETAL
7. 1x1 feat. Nova Twins
8. Ludens
9. One Day The Only Butterflies Left Will Be In Your Chest As You March Towards Your Death feat. Amy Lee

 
UK TOUR DATES – SEPTEMBER 2021

21st – Glasgow, The SSE Hydro
22nd – Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
24th – Sheffield, FlyDSA Arena
25th – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
26th – London The O2 Arena

After one month of voting, nearly 6,000 votes cast and countless sharing across all social media platforms by us and nominees alike, the time has come to announce the winners of the GMA Awards 2019.

But before that happens, there will be a change to how the nominees are cast. For 10 months of the year we will be running a series of rounds from which the 10 finalists will be recognised for the annual event.

The system will work as thus: nominees elected in the month of January are voted for in February... February nominees voted in March, etc and finishes with nominees in October being voted for in November - the finalists will then be voted for across the month of December and into early January 2021; finishing 8th January 2021.

Now that's put out into the open, we can finally reveal the winners of the GMA Awards 2019.

Global Metal Ambassador 2019

1. Gojira (France) - (28.1%)
   
2. Freddy Lim (Taiwan) - (21.4%)
3. Jake Shuker & Monzer Darwish (Syria) - (9.7%)
4. Sahil Makhija (India) - (8%)
5. Slaves To Sirens (The Lebanon) - (6.9%)
6. Underside (Nepal) - (6.4%)
7. Rock Arka'n (Togo) - (4.9%)
8. Roy Dipankar (India -'Extreme Nation' director) - (4.6%)
9. Overthrust (Botswana) - (4.1%)
10. Zarraza (Kazakhstan) - (3.5%)
11. World Metal Congress (International) - (2.2%)*
    

  * Later withdrawn by request of nominee.

Doom metal band The Crawling have just released a video for their song "Still No Sun". The song is from their album Wolves and the Hideous White which was released last year.

The band commented:-

     "The urge to belong can be overwhelming, and we often sacrifice parts of ourselves to be with others. Still No Sun explores the failing of relations through the eyes of one who knows it should end, despite the desperate urge to remain. The unearthing feelings of loneliness, and haunting images of a life in solitude can be blinding when it comes to logical thought. I often wonder if it is genuinely possible to deceive yourself completely, or is there always a part that knows, and is the relief of separation worth it?"

Watch the video here:   https://youtu.be/c7hKTRNo4uA

In addition the band is also pleased to announce some tour dates for this year.

TOUR DATES

12th Oct - Limerick, Dolans Warehouse
19th Oct - Belfast, The Limelight II

UK Tour w/ Tides of Sulfur

24th Oct - London, The Dev
25th Oct - Rotherham, Gizzardfest III
26th Oct - Swansea, The Bunkhouse

2nd Nov - Cork, An Spailpin Fanach
16th Nov - Dublin, Thomas House

Listen to the band's previous music here: https://thecrawlingband.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/thecrawlingband

Alien Weaponry have released the music video for their new single, "Ahi Kā", which premiered last week over at Billboard. The song represents the first new material from the New Zealand based metal trio since releasing their 2018 debut album, Tū. Fans can check out the music video for "Ahi Kā" via the link below. The track is also featured on Adult Swim's new, streaming-only compilation record Metal Swim 2.

Alien Weaponry's singer-guitarist Lewis de Jong talks about "Ahi Ka" (Which, like many of the band's songs, is sung in New Zealand's indigenous language of Te Reo Māori):-

     "Ahi Kā was inspired by the Auckland city council's decision to burn down what was considered to be the unsightly indigenous Maori village of Okahu Bay in advance of Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 visit. The eviction sparked a 40-year battle for the native Ngati Whatua to reclaim their land, including protests and battles with the police. Amid worldwide criticism, a small portion of the original land was ultimately returned with an apology and some compensation."

Watch "Ahi Ka" HERE

"Ahi Kā" is available for streaming and purchase through Spotify and iTunes (respectively) over HERE!

Fans and music critics alike have applauded the band's approach to unifying Te Reo Māori (the native language of New Zealand) with thrash metal sensibilities; ultimately creating a sound that is driven by emotionally and politically charged conflict while boasting youthful, warrior-like resilience.

Both Lewis and Henry are of Ngati Pikiāo and Ngati Raukawa (Māori tribal) descent, and began their schooling at a kura kaupapa Māori (full immersion Māori language school) where singing waiata (songs) and performing haka were a daily routine. Also ingrained in their early education were stories of New Zealand history told to them by their father, who would also introduce them to the music of Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Anthrax, Ministry, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many others.

Alien Weaponry was formed in 2010 by brothers Lewis (vocals & guitar) and Henry de Jong (drums), who were 8 and 10 years old at the time. The two would later move to the small town of Waipu in 2012, and went on to meet Ethan Trembath (bass) there in 2013. The de Jong brothers came up with the name Alien Weaponry after watching the film District 9.

Alien Weaponry have also been nominated for "Best International Breakthrough Band" at the 2019 Heavy Music Awards (UK). The event takes place on August 22nd at the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London. Fan voting is now open at https://vote.heavymusicawards.com/  until June 27th.

ALIEN WEAPONRY On Tour:

North American Headlining Tour

11.05.2019 US - Rockingham, NC / Epicenter*
12.05.2019 US - Washington, DC / DC9
13.05.2019 US - Boston, MA / Middle East
15.05.2019 US - New York, NY / Saint Vitus
16.05.2019 CA - Montreal, QC / L'Esco
17.05.2019 CA - Toronto, ON / Velvet Underground
19.05.2019 US - Chicago, IL / Chicago Open Air*

22.05.2019 US - Minneapolis, MN / 7th St Entry
24.05.2019 US - Pryor, OK / Rocklahoma*
26.05.2019 US - Denver, CO / Bluebird Theater
28.05.2019 US - San Francisco, CA / Bottom of the Hill
29.05.2019 US - Los Angeles, CA / The Roxy
 

TOUR DATES EU

07.06.2019 DE - Berlin / Musik & Frieden
08.06.2019 DE - Frankfurt / Batschkapp
10.06.2019 UK - Cardiff / Fuel Rock Club
11.06.2019 UK - Bristol / The Exchange
12.06.2019 UK - Dublin / Vodoo Lounge
13.06.2019 UK - Glasgow / Audio Glasgow
15.06.2019 UK - Donington / DE74 2RP Castle Donington

16.06.2019 UK - London / The Underground Camden
18.06.2019 LX - Belval / Rockhal 
19.06.2019 DE - Köln / Luxor
20.06.2019 DE - Hamburg / Uebel & Gefährlich
21.06.2019 DK - Kobenhavn / Copenhell Festival 2019
23.03.2019 FR - Clisson / Hellfest Open Air 2019
25.06.2019 DE - Saarbrücken / Garage

26.06.2019 DE - Hannover / Capitol
28.06.2019 FI - Helsinki / Tuska Festival 2019
03.07.2019 FR - Paris / Les Etoiles 61 rue du Chateau d´Eu
04.07.2019 FR - Toulouse / Rue Louis Bonin
06.07.2019 ES - Galicia / Resurrection Fest 2019
07.07.2019 PT - Lisbon / RCA Club
09.07.2019 ES - Sevilla / Sala Even

10.07.2019 ES - Madrid / Nasca Music Live
12.07.2019 ES - Barcelona / Sala Boveda
15.07.2019 IT - Milan / Circolo Magnolia
16.07.2019 IT - Padova / Parco Della Musica
20.07.2019 NL - Eindhoven / Dynamo Metalfest 2019
22.07.2019 SL - Tolmin / MetalDays Festival 2019
24.07.2019 HU - Budapest / Dürer Kert

27.07.2019 PL - Warsaw / klub Stodola Batorego
03.08.2019 DE - Stuttgart / Hanns-Matin-Schleyer-halle
06.08.2019 DE - München / Backstage Werk
07.08.2019 DE - Dresden / Alter Schlachthof
08.08.2019 CZ - Josefov / Brutal Assault 2019
10.08.2019 NL - Leewarden / Into The Grave Festival 2019
11.08.2019 BE - Kortrijk / Alcatraz 2019
16.08.2019 AT - Graz / Metal On The Hill Festival 2019
 
Official Website: www.alienweaponry.com    
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AlienWeaponry
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alienweaponry
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alienweaponry