The 2023 Heavy Music Awards finalists have been announced!
The finalists were chosen from a panel of around 1,000 industry professionals.
Vukovi has made history, being the first band to be nominated for five HMAs in one year! Vocalist Janine Shilstone said: “Being the first and only band to receive 5 nominations in one year in the history of the HMAs has given us such a sense of purpose and achievement. We feel seen, and we feel heard. My younger self would be so proud of me and everything I’ve overcome at this point. I’m so excited about the future of female and non-binary in this genre and industry There is room for EVERYONE”.
Awards organiser Andy Pritchard said: “Once again the HMA finalists showcase the spectacular breadth of talent across the rock and metal scene. To see so many different styles and sub-genres represented – in addition to the diversity across all the artists – proves once again that the heavy music landscape is as vibrant and non-apologetic as ever.
“For us, it’s another chance to send the wider world a reminder that there is life-affirming, vital music being created every single day by people from all backgrounds. Since we started this journey in 2017, we’ve been committed to building the HMAs, and kicking down as many walls as we can to give these incredible artists a platform they can be proud of. Staging the biggest ever rock awards show is our most ambitious step yet, but we’ll keep pushing. We can’t wait to welcome everyone for what will be a crazy and memorable night in May!”
Full nominees:
| BEST ALBUM Architects – The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit Bad Omens – The Death of Peace of Mind Ghost – Impera Halestorm – Back From The Dead Nova Twins – Supernova Slipknot – The End, So Far Vukovi – NULA |
BEST BREAKTHROUGH ALBUM Bloodywood – Rakshak Cassyette – Sad Girl Mixtape Charlotte Sands – Love And Other Lies Heriot – Profound Morality Static Dress – Rouge Carpet Disaster Wargasm – EXPLICIT: The MiXXXtape Witch Fever – Congregation |
BEST UK ARTIST Presented by MNRK Heavy Bob Vylan Creeper Holding Absence Malevolence Nova Twins Sleep Token Vukovi |
| BEST INTERNATIONAL ARTIST Presented by Arising Empire Bad Omens Electric Callboy Ghost Halestorm I Prevail Polyphia Spiritbox |
BEST UK LIVE ARTIST Presented by Allianz Musical Insurance Biffy Clyro Creeper Enter Shikari Neck Deep Nova Twins Skindred Vukovi |
BEST INTERNATIONAL LIVE ARTIST Alexisonfire Electric Callboy Ghost Halestorm My Chemical Romance Parkway Drive Turnstile |
| BEST BREAKTHROUGH LIVE ARTIST As Everything Unfolds Cassyette Heriot Joey Valence & Brae Lake Malice Static Dress Witch Fever |
BEST UK BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST As December Falls Blackgold Cody Frost Delilah Bon Kid Bookie Lake Malice ZAND |
BEST INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST Charlotte Sands Chat Pile LS Dunes Scene Queen Scowl Soul Blind ZULU |
| BEST FESTIVAL Presented by Ticketmaster 2000Trees Aftershock BMTH Malta Weekender Download Hellfest Outbreak Slam Dunk |
BEST SINGLE Architects – When We Were Young Bring Me The Horizon – sTraNgeRs Creeper – Ghost Brigade Enter Shikari – The Void Stares Back ft. Wargasm Ghost – Call Me Little Sunshine Ithaca – They Fear Us Neck Deep – STFU |
BEST PRODUCTION Architects – The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit Bad Omens – The Death of Peace of Mind Halestorm – Back From The Dead Ithaca – They Fear Us Rolo Tomassi – Where Myth Becomes Memory Static Dress – Rouge Carpet Disaster Vukovi – NULA |
| BEST VIDEO Cassyette – Sad Girl Summer Coheed And Cambria – The Liars Club Electric Callboy – Hurrikan Motionless In White – Werewolf Nova Twins – Choose Your Fighter Parkway Drive – Glitch Polyphia – Playing God |
BEST ALBUM ARTWORK Coheed And Cambria – Vaxis – Act II: A Window of the Waking Mind Malevolence – Malicious Intent Parkway Drive – Darker Still Polyphia – Remember That You Will Die Vukovi – NULA Witch Fever – Congregation Zeal & Ardor – Zeal & Ardor |
Voting is now open for the 14 categories and will close on April 14. You can vote here.
The winners will be announced at The Heavy Music Awards at the OVO Arena, Wembley, on Friday, May 26.