2025 Extreme Music Awards Nominees Announced

The Extreme Music Awards will host its second annual event on Saturday, January 11th, at Empire Live in Albany, New York. The full list of nominees has been released, primarily showcasing local talent from the upstate area. Among the presenters are familiar names from legendary bands like Slayer, Megadeth, Hatebreed, Sick Of It All, and more. Check the full list of nominees, categories, and presenters below. Purchase tickets HERE.
The event also includes a pre-party featuring live sets from SMOKE AXD, BRICK BY BRICK, CONCRETE, and more. Tickets are available HERE.
2025 NOMINEES
Best Death Metal Band - Presented by Joe Keyser (Skinless)
Invoke Thy Wrath
Intrusive
Tyranize
Concrete
Best Black Metal Band - Presented by Paul Delaney (Black Anvil)
Malefic
Blackbraid
Misery Machine
Vintertodt
Best Doom/Stoner Band - Presented by Joe Altier (Brand New Sin)
Gozer
Jupiter Queen
Carnwennan
Flatwounds
Best Metal/Power Metal Band - Presented by Dave Ellefson (Megadeth)
The Antarctican
Deveria
Allumination
Against the Reign
Best Progressive/Math Metal Band - Presented by Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer)
Outta My Head
The Phoenix and the Raven
Psychomanteum
Horse Grave
Best Hair/Glam/Sleaze Band - Presented by Brendan Manley (518scene.com)
The Erotics
Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band
Untaymed
Mystery Girl
Best Thrash Metal Band - Presented by Brian Fair (Shadows Fall)
Hate The Adversary
Ice Queen
Faced
Vaexus
Best Grindcore Band - Presented by Gary Aldrich (Dark Tower Tattoos)
Horse Grave
Urine
Vaginal Fungus
D.B. Cooper
Best Metalcore Band - Presented by Matt Byrne (Hatebreed)
Faded Line
Oakheart
Adhara
Deadweight
Best Punk Band - Presented by Danny Diablo/Hoya Roc (Skarhead/Madball/Smoke AD)
VinTri Hill
RBNX
The Hauntings
Gusto
Best Hardcore Band - Presented by Craig Ahead (Sick of it All)
Fromwithin
Violent By Design
Spiritkiller
Cold Kiss
Best Hardcore Beatdown Band - Presented by Ray Mazzola & Mike Valente (Brick by Brick)
Torn Out
Gateway
Confinement 413
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Best Hardcore Punk Band - Presented by Stikman (Fury of Five)
Halo Bite
Murderer’s Row
Wet Specimens
Schenectavoidz
Best Video in 2024 By A Metal Band - Presented by Don Capria (110 Films/producer of Director’s Cut)
The Antarctican – “Stolen Throne”
Jupiter Queen – “Just A Taste”
Deveria – “When Darkness Falls”
Concrete – “Cyber Vermin”
Album of the Year – 2024 - Presented by Mario and Kim Cangemi (Upstate Records)
Outta My Head – Sick Nasty
Malefic – The Second Coming
The Erotics – Destined To Damnation
Invoke Thy Wrath – W O R M S
Lifetime Achievement Award (25+ years in the scene) - Presented by Mike Valente (Brick by Brick) and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall/Category 7)
Mike Trash
Jeff Caro
Darek Polcare
Paul Rukwid
Best New Band (together less than 2 years) - Presented by Art Fredette (RadioRadioX)
Against The Reign
Gateway
Outta My Head
Altar
Best Veteran Band (together 10+ years) - Presented by Fuzz Kebabjian (That Fuzzing Rock Show)
Concrete
Tyranize
The Erotics
Assault on the Living
Best Bassist - Presented by Dave Ellefson (Megadeth)
Justin Stupplebeen – The Phoenix and the Raven
Drew Bartlett – Concrete
Brian Crosby – Oakheart
Derek Polcare – Crimson Mask
Best Guitarist - Presented by Jon Donais (Shadows Fall/Anthrax)
Dillon Schwertner – Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band
Roman Singleton – Deveria
Gary Wood – The Phoenix and the Raven
Jared Weed – Concrete
Best Drummer - Presented by Sal Abruscato (Life of Agony/Type O Negative) and Matt Byrne (Hatebreed)
John Glassbrenner – Concrete, Malefic, more
Walter MONSTA Ryan – Faded Line, Murderer’s Row, Murphy’s Law, more
Phil Shannon – Violent By Design & Balor
Brandon Weaver – The Phoenix and the Raven
Best Vocalist - Presented by Eric AK (Flotsam and Jetsam)
Chuck Woodard – Deveria
Benjamin Kerner – The Phoenix and the Raven
Joe Mansman – The Midnight Revival Band
Alex Roumanidakis – The Antarctican