Banger Films announced today that international heavy metal icon and master shredder Alex Skolnick of Test is confirmed as the celebrity guest judge for the first season of its new digital series Shredders Of Metal — the first-ever talent competition show for heavy metal guitarists.

Named by Guitar World magazine as one of the fastest guitar players of all time, Alex Skolnick is an original member of Bay Area legends Testament, one of the most influential bands in thrash metal history, who have sold more than 4 million albums worldwide. He holds a BfA in Jazz from The New School in New York and is a respected improviser of multiple styles, who has released several critically acclaimed albums with his own trio and various artists.

“As a fan of Banger Films’ unyieldingly high quality output, from the Metal Evolution series to the docs on Rush and others, I was thrilled to be a judge on Shredders of Metal,” said Skolnick.

Shredders Of Metal will see seven heavy metal guitarists compete in a series of challenges testing skill and creativity in front of of three judges over six episodes. Each episode will showcase wicked shredding prowess and celebrate the mastery of lead guitar in metal music.
 
Joining Alex Skolick on the judges panel are Sam Dunn, co-founder of Banger Films, an award-winning film-maker and a global ambassador for the heavy metal community, and Daniel Dekay, lead guitarist for Toronto-based Diemonds and a host on BangerTV.

“I’m proud that Banger Films is creating Shredders of Metal because it’s the first-ever metal guitar competition show created by metalheads, for metalheads,” explained Sam Dunn. “Blistering lead guitar is essential to the sound of metal — and it’s about time that a competition show honoured this decades-old metal tradition. Bring on the shredders!”
 
Adds Daniel Dekay: “I jumped at the opportunity to nerd out over guitar with such esteemed company as Alex and Sam. It's poised to be a loud and intense competition and I can't wait to see whose licks reign supreme!"  
 
The Shredders Of Metal digital series is produced by Banger Films with the support of the Bell Fund. It recently completed production and is preparing for a summer 2018 release. Details including the host and names of competitors coming soon.
 
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The first Heavy Music Awards is to be televised following the appointment of Scuzz as 'Broadcast Partner' for the event.

Celebrating its 14th year this month, the Sony-owned channel has signed up to air the first HMAs on August 24, and will build up to the event in London with a series of one-hour finalist's shows.

Alex Herron, Senior Channel Manager at Sony Pictures Entertainment, has worked in music TV for over ten years producing music artist content and overseeing several channels including Scuzz.

"It's great to see an independent initiative such as the HMAs added to the rock eco-system," he revealed. "An event like this is only going to reinforce, promote and champion a genre which deserves more attention here in the UK. It's an honour to be involved in the maiden event."

HMAs co-founder Andy Pritchard says teaming up with Scuzz will bring the Awards straight to true fans across the UK.

He added: "The HMAs team has worked hard to build a judging panel of over 100 industry heavyweights that offers a true cross-section of heavy music in 2017 - but the winners are ultimately going to be decided by the fans, and that is what makes the HMAs such an exciting journey.

"This partnership with Scuzz will give viewers a timely reminder of the finalists, in addition to the best of the action from the big night on the UK’s finest heavy music TV station. Everyone involved with the scheme stands to benefit from the huge exposure offered by this deal.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Scuzz on-board with the HMAs."

You can find out more about Scuzz at their Facebook page.