Airbourne singer wins at UK’s Golden God metal awards

Victorian hard rock band Airbourne proved their popularity in the UK and Europe at Metal Hammer magazine’s Golden God Awards in London.

The band’s lead singer and guitarist Joel O’Keeffe took out the ’Shredder’ category.

He beat out Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth), Phil Manansala (Of Mice & Men), Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria) and Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan).

“Cheers Metal Hammer and to all the rockers who voted out there, I’m truly and deeply humbled,” O’Keeffe posted on the band’s Facebook page. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever won in my life!”

Airbourne are riding on a wave which started with the September 2016 release of their albumBreakin’ Outta Hell, and their tribute to Motorhead’s Lemmy with the track It’s All For Rock N’ Roll, which received praise from global metal fans and Motorhead themselves.

Currently on the road breaking in new guitarist Harri Harrison – who replaced David Roads who left to focus on the family farm in regional Victoria– Airbourne have just announced eight UK dates in November.

Another Australian band, Ocean Grove, were nominated at the Golden Gods for Best New Band but lost out to Venom Prison.

Other winners on the night included Iron Maiden, Architects, Avenged Sevenfold, Mastodon, Devin Townsend, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Gojira, Pallbearer, Avatar, Exodus and Prophets Of Rage.

The highest honour, Golden God, went to Black Sabbath who knocked their 49-year-old career with an 81-date farewell world tour.