Avenged Sevenfold wins big at Golden Gods

Avenged Sevenfold was a big winner at the 3rd Annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which were presented in Los Angeles, CA this past week. In addition to winning the Affliction Album of the Year Award for its Nightmare recording, M. Shadows took home the Rockstar Energy Best Vocalist Award, Mike Portnoy won the Drum Workshop Best Drummer Award for his contribution to Nightmare and Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance were co-recipients of the Epiphone Best Guitarists Award. Additionally, Alice Cooper won a Golden God Award for his extensive contributions to rock & roll's evolution, while Mötley Crüe received a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

This awards show, which will appear on cable's VH1 classic on May 28, was as much rock concert as it was an awards ceremony. Alice Cooper (the band) made its first LA appearance in 40 years, and performed a four-song set that also included its smash hit, 'School's Out.' Each act on the bill played multiple songs, and every band brought along special guests. Most notably, The Sex Pistols' Steve Jones played guitar with Duff McKagan's Loaded on a cover of Judas Priest's 'Electric Eye,' while Pantera's drummer Vinnie Paul pounded the skins with Avenged Sevenfold on his old band's 'Mouth for War' in a powerful seven-song show-concluding set. 

Taped before a live audience at Club Nokia, this anti-awards show of sorts was not without a sense of humor. WWE wrestler Chris Jericho hosted the show, a black carpet replaced the usual red carpet for pre-show artist arrivals, and actor William Shatner basked in the glow of taking home a Honorary Headbanger Award.