Three years after winning the award with their debut album 'The Art Of Manipulation', Preston band WARD XVI have won Album of the Year for a second time with their newest release 'Metamorphasis'. Described by the judges as 'a gloriously dark and disturbing exercise in genre transcending post gothic rock', this remarkable album beat off strong challanges from Copenhagen hard rockers Shotgun Revolution with their album 'IV' and Mexican psychobilly band Los Helldandys and their release 'Mad Love Gun' to reach the top spot.
The award for best album by an artist from the greater Bristol area was picked up by Krautrocking progressive rock project SAMPANVIKING and their album 'Paradise Postponed'.A record the judges called 'a wonderfully trippy exercise in laid back soundscape creation that makes for for a compelling listen'.
The full final standings were...
1 - 'Metamorphasis' - WARD XVI
2 - 'IV' - SHOTGUN REVOLUTION
3 - 'Mad Love Gun' - LOS HELLDANDYS
4 - 'III Penticost' - WYTCH HAZEL
5 = 'Mass Hysteria' - DORIS BRENDEL
5 = 'Spirituosa' - LYKANTROPI
7 - 'Vol.1' - BLACK BOMBER
8 - 'Nine Witches Under A Walnut Tree' - O.A.K (Oscillazioni Alchemico Kreative)
9 - 'The Lowdown' - BALEFL CREED
10 - '...Stole Your Rock 'n' Roll' - DEATHTRAPS
11 - 'Stranger Country' - HOWLIN' ANTON BLEAK
12 - 'Paradise Postponed' - SAMPANVIKING
The judges were highly praiseful of all 12 shortlisted albums and said making a final decission was a very tough task. They congratulate all the contenders for high standards in performance, composition and production.
Award rules....
To qualify an album must...
a) Be a full length album, or album length demo, ie contain at least 8 tracks and / or have a playing time of greater than 30 minutes
b) Be self released, on a SMALL independent label, or an import not officially released in the UK
c) Have been featured on the BCFM Sunday Rockshow and / or The Rock Druid on Astro Radio in the year the award is for.
This is how it works...
a) Through out the year any album that meets the above criteria is entered into a long list
b) The award is judged by a panel of twelve judges including regular listeners to the show, musicians, and other people from with in the music industry; dj's, gig promotors, record producers, music writers etc...
c) In December each year the long list is cut down to a short list of 12 based on the judges feedback and listener reaction to the album tracks featured on the shows. The shortlist is compiled to give a representative balance so as many sub genres of rock are featured as possible.
d) In January the short list is announced
e) The judges then spend 8 weeks listening to and reviewing all the shortlisted contenders.
f) In early March the judges marks are collated and the award is announced on a special edition of the BCFM Sunday Rockshow.
There are two possible awards if no act from the Bristol area wins there is an award given to the best placed local act in the final listings..
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Previous winners...
Album of the year
(2007) ' Chemical Dogs' - CRASH STREET KIDS
(2008) 'Project Destiny' - DIGNITY
(2009) 'Lunacy Box' - LUNACY BOX
(2010) 'Zer0' - V0iD
(2011) 'Songcycle 2011' - TODD DILLINGHAM
(2012) 'La Danza Del Cadvar' - LOS CRIPTIZOOS
(2013) 'Save As I Save' - ZOLTAR SPEAKS
(2014) '3' - KRANKSCHAFT
(2015) 'Keep Fighting' - V0iD
(2016) 'Lineage' - SCYTHIA
(2017) 'The Art Of Manipulation' - WARD XVI
(2018) 'Eclipse FLOR DE LOTO
(2019) 'Show Your Colours' - SCARLET REBELS
Local Album of the Year
(2007) No Award Given
(2008) 'Psycles' - IAN RAGGETT
(2009) 'Misunderstood' - CRIMSON SKY
(2010) 'Who Am I?' - RITA LYNCH / 'Settle Up Or Settle Down' - JEBO (joint award)
(2011) 'Crack On' - RITA LYNCH
(2012) 'Return Of A Sonic Assassin' - LASTWIND
(2013) 'VI' - ONSLAUGHT
(2014) 'The Hunt' - BLACK WOLF
(2015) 'Shakedown' - DYNAMITE PUSSY CLUB
(2016) 'Ticket To Somewhere' - BILLY IN THE LOWGROUND
(2017) 'Live On Earth' - SERGENT THUNDERHOOF
(2018) 'Aces and Eights' - CAUDA PAVONIS
(2019) 'The Lemon Tree' - THE NOTHIN' MAN
