Peruvian Prog Rockers Flor de Loto Scoop Album Of The Year 2018

Peruvian prog rockers FLOR DE LOTO have scooped the BCFM Sunday Rockshow / Astro Radio Rock Druid Album of the Year for 2018 with their epic offering 'Eclipse'.

Described by the judges as "trippy and folky yet at the same time managing to be heavy and intense", this remarkable release was praised for it's perfectly crafted musicianship, it's wide ranging soundscapes and the 'Peruvian' feel of the music. One judge describing it as "the sound of Jethro Tull and Iron Maiden jamming in the ruins of Machu Picchu." The winners beat off strong challenges from UK classic rockers WYTCH HAZEL with their album 'II Sojourn' and Belgium blues rock outfit THE BLUESBONES with their release 'Chasing Shadows', who finished second and third respectively.

The award for an album by a band from the Bristol UK area was picked up by Bristol death rock outfit CAUDA PAVONIS for their album 'Aces and Eights'.

Praised by the judges for being 'highly driven yet spine tinglingly atmospheric', and for having a straight ahead no-nonsence approach to all things gothic, darkwave and steam punk; this album shows why Cauda Pavonis are not only treasures of the Bristol music scene, but a major force in gothic and deathrock across the UK and beyond. Aces and Eights won by the very narrowest of margins from metal band FRANKLIN MINT with the album 'Scrage', with punk and rollers SUPERSEED in a close third with their eponymous debut album.

The Final Standings

1 - 'Eclipse' - Flor De Loto

2 - 'II Sojourn' - Wytch Hazel

3 - 'Chasing Shadows' - The BluesBones

4 - 'Tiger Riot' - Tiger Rider

5 - 'Aces and Eights' - Cauda Pavonis

6 - 'Scrage' - Franklin Mint

7 - 'Superseed' - Superseed

8 - 'Young Gifted and Fast' - Migraines

9 - 'Hero' - Tri State Corner

10 - 'Polar Institute' - Polar Institute

11 - 'Tamsins Likam' - Hamferd

12 - 'System Corrupted' - Relentless Fish

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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

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