Can life be better than cruising on a boat on a Monday, with awesome legends on the stage and Phil Demmell in the crowd? And this is only the start. Yes it is that time of the year again where the Metal legends are being honoured by Metal Hammer. The event was being held at the O2 Indigo on Monday 14 June 2010.
However, as per the tradition, 400 rabid metal fans are invited to travel to the venue in style on board the HMS Hammer. The line up on board included Nonpoint, Sonic Syndicate, Rise to Remain and Hellyeah.
Nonpoint opened the show as we were getting our sea legs and Tower Bridge was lifted to let us through. Then guest guitarist, none other than Phil Demmell, blasts onto the tiny stage. The whole dynamics of the show was changed with this golden god thrashing in front of a few hundred gob smacked metal fans. Swedish death metallers, Sonic Syndicate, are up next and deliver an awesome set. Front men, Nathan James Biggs and Richard Sjunnesson bond instantly with the crowd and bassist, Karin Axelsson, looked as awesome as always. Austin Dickinson (yes you recognised the surname) leads Rise To Remain, on next, and it was awesome to spot Phil Demmell and Alexander Milas (Metal Hammer Editor) just enjoying the show blending in with the audience. The final band on before we dock at the O2 is Hellyeah. Hell yeah!! What a way to complete a perfect show on the way to the event. I could do this all day, every day.
The Golden Gods awards were hosted by Steel Panther. I had grave concerns about this, but in the end they were the perfect hosts. They made the obvious choice to open the event with “Death to all but Metal” and some boy band cover. We all lost our voices telling them exactly what we thought of the song choice, but being Steel Panther, they thrived on the abuse.
The first guest act was Evile and they delivered an awesome set. This was the first time I’ve seen them since the sudden death of bassist, Michael Alexander, last year and I am really impressed how they all recovered after such a loss. Mike would be looking down with metal pride. Next up was Californian metallers, Five Finger Death Punch. From the start they had the crowd right where they wanted them. 5FDP delivered an anger fuelled set and was my pick of the day. Skindred put on a very lively performance, but was an anti-climax after 5FDP. After the awards, the evening was brought to a closure by Aussie rockers, Airbourne. As always Joel O'Keeffe struggled to stay on stage, walking through the mosh pit whilst playing his solo.
All in all a 5star day and night spent with good company, drinking good beer and listening to good music.
Following are the results of the awards:
Best New Band: Rise to Remain
Best Underground Act: Immortal
Best Drummer: Mike Portnoy
Global Metal: Demonic Ressurection
Best Live Band: Machine Head
Best Event: Download
Riff Lord: Joe Perry
Spirit of Hammer: Sir Christopher Lee
Metal As Fuck: Evile
Best UK Band: Bullet for my Valentine
Dimebag Darrell Shredder Award: Zoltan Bathory
Breakthrough Artist: Five Finger Death Punch
Inspiration: Tom G Warrior
Best Album: The Devil You Know - Heaven & Hell
Best International Band: Lamb of God
Defender of the Faith: Jon & Tracey Morter (RATM XMAS Number 1)
Golden God: Zakk Wylde
More information on http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/kawasaki-golden-gods-winners-in-full/