Each year, the Journeys Alternative Press Music Awards, Fueled by Monster Energy brings fans exciting collaborative performances from today’s most celebrated alternative music artists. Previous performances combining the talents of Slash and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts; Asking Alexandria and Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis; Falling In Reverse, Coolio and Tyler Carter of Issues; Halestorm and Slipknot/Stone Sour vocalist Corey Taylor and more have dazzled audiences worldwide. The 2016 APMAs will present even more of these incredible performances — the first of which will feature none other than legendary heavy metal vocalist Rob Halford of Judas Priest and pop metal phenomenons and Best International Band nominees BABYMETAL! Combining raw 1970’s-era classic heavy metal influences with fresh modern visuals and Japanese pop styles, this performance will be a can’t-miss moment amidst the evening’s festivities.
In an official Alternative Press videoannouncement (watch here), BABYMETAL‘s SU-METAL states, “I am still at a loss of what to feel, but to be able to perform together with the metal god, I am in disbelief… I know it will be an amazing experience for us and I am really looking forward to it.”
BABYMETAL, the breakout all-girl-fronted Japanese heavy metal/teen-pop hybrid group featuring 18-year-old SU-METAL and 16-year-olds YUIMETAL and MOAMETAL, backed by a four-piece band, released their sophomore album Metal Resistance this past April (debuting atop Billboard’s “World Albums” chart and iTunes’ “Top Heavy Metal Albums” chart) and took the world by storm when they made their U.S. late-night TV debut onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert (April 5).
Rob Halford of Judas Priest defines the ideals, imagery and musicality of heavy metal. He has become an icon of the industry and Judas Priest have reigned as one of the most influential and popular metal bands of all time since their formation in 1969. From one decade to the next, Halford has led the way with an aggressive, yet melodic vocal delivery and a ferocious scream that could crack the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. After their groundbreaking 1990 album, Painkiller, Priest and Halford parted company for a few years, but in 2004, Halford resumed his role as frontman with Judas Priest and they have continued to record head-banging, jaw-dropping metal and perform sold-out concerts for arena and stadium audiences across the world.
Halford adds, “It’s really cool to hear and watch such a strong young Japanese metal band make solid growth in the world with such unique conviction and invite me to head bang along with them for this special appearance. Further proof of the continuing power exchange from the roots of metal into the future metalsphere!”
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In addition to the collaborative performance from BABYMETAL and Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford, Dashboard Confessional will take the stage, plus special guest performances including Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, Jenna McDougall of Tonight Alive, Machine Gun Kelly, MAX, Eddy Brewerton of Moose Blood and Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire. Additional special guest appearances will be made by Pierce The Veil, Motionless In White, Jarrod Alonge, Telle Smith of The Word Alive, Bradley Walden of Emarosa, Garret Rapp of The Color Morale, Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills, Brenton Dean of Holy White Hounds, Matt Brandyberry of From Ashes To New, Real Friends, 3OH!3 and Killswitch Engage. More guests appearances to be announced shortly.
Other 2016 APMAs performers include platinum-selling headliners A Day To Remember, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Of Mice & Men, Papa Roach, Issues, the Maine, Mayday Parade and Beartooth, with more artists still to be announced. The 2016 APMAs also will feature a special appearance from Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie of Underøath. This year’s Icon Award, presented by Equal Vision Records/MerchNOW, will be awarded to platinum-selling rock legend Marilyn Manson.
