Anthrax, Lemmy Honoured At Golden Gods

Fans are just filing out of London’s Eventim Apollo, in Hammersmith, but the final chords of the night will resonate loud and strong for days. New Wave Of British Heavy Metal stalwarts Saxon honoured the late Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister in fine style at the 2016 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards this evening (13 June), closing the event with their ‘A Salute To Lemmy’ tribute. Opening their set with Lemmy’s three favourite Saxon songs, the legendary group were joined by the equally iconic Motörhead troopers, guitarist Phil Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee, for renditions of Motörhead classics ‘Ace Of Spades’, ‘Born To Raise Hell’ and ‘Overkill’.

It was a fitting way to end the evening, which, hosted by Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, celebrated a year’s worth of classic metal before a crowd of fans gathered at the iconic rock venue; staging live performances throughout the night, Halestorm, Gojira and Amon Amarth added their names to the list of greats who have played the Apollo (among them David Bowie, Black Sabbath and Megadeth).

The fans themselves voted for the night’s winners, and uDiscover was on hand to sponsor the Inspiration award, which, fittingly, went to Anthrax, who, in their three-decade career, helped kick-start the thrash metal movement and are currently riding high on the brilliance of their current album, For All Kings.

Other notable winners were Swedish icons Ghost (Best International Band), Nikki Sixx (Icon) and Iron Maiden, who won Best Album for their 2015 release, The Book Of Souls. Lamb Of God also picked up a well-deserved gong for Best Live Band, capping a stand-out year for drummer Chris Adler, who recently helped Megadeth record their recent classic, Dystopia.

The 2016 Golden Gods winners are: 

Best New Band: Creeper
Best Underground: Enslaved
Best UK Band: Asking Alexandria
Best International Band: Ghost
Breakthrough: Beartooth
Best Live Band: Lamb Of God
Best Independent Label: Prosthetic Records
Dimebag Darrell “Shredder”: Lzzy Hale
Best Album: The Book Of Souls, Iron Maiden
Riff Lord: Phil Campbell
Inspiration: Anthrax
Icon: Nikki Sixx
Global Metal Band: Chthonic
Golden God: Joey Jordison
Best Video: Parkway Drive

Format: UK English