July 30, 2010

By By Mark Sutherland, London

U.K. metal act Bullet for My Valentine was the big winner at the 2010 Relentless Energy Drink Kerrang! Awards -- but it was absent friends that dominated the ceremony.

Nichola Browne, editor of the U.K. hard rock and metal weekly magazine, started the evening rolling by paying tribute to Stuart Cable, the ex-Stereophonics drummer and former Kerrang! Awards host, who was found dead at his South Wales home in June.

Ronnie James Dio, who passed away in May after a battle against stomach cancer, was honored with a posthumous Icon award, picked up by his widow Wendy, who told the audience: "Ronnie would have been proud."

And Slipknot bassist/songwriter Paul Gray, who died of a drug overdose in May, was honored with the services to metal gong, picked up by his Slipknot bandmate Corey Taylor.

Taylor paid tribute to his late bandmate's songwriting skills, saying: "He deserved way more credit than he's ever been given. He was the heart, the soul and the best dude we've ever known."

Bullet for My Valentine was the only act to win multiple awards, taking home both best British band and best live band. The band's latest album, "Fever" (Jive), peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

Other British acts to win on the night included Biffy Clyro for best video ("The Captain"), You Me at Six for best single ("Liquid Confidence") and Lostprophets, which picked up the classic songwriter gong.

International acts to win on the night included 30 Seconds to Mars (best international band), Paramore (best album for "Brand New Eyes"), Rammstein (inspiration award) and Motley Crue (hall of fame award).

According to Kerrang!, over 6 million votes were cast for the awards.

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