Best Metal Grammy Nominees Have No Duds
Looking at the 2025 Grammy Award nominations for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, I truly think the powers that be picked some winning choices. Sure, there are always going to be fantastic bands and artists left out. But, for the most part, the roster of 2025 Grammy nominees in the metal category each deserve the honor, and it’s going to be tough to pick a final winner.
When the Grammys Got It Wrong
The Grammys haven’t always gotten metal right. Two specific incidents come to mind when I think of times the Grammy Awards got the metal category wrong. One was the famed Jethro Tull incident in 1989, when the flute-heavy band won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance for for their album, Crest of a Knave. The win was controversial, to say the least, and metalheads still point to it today as proof that the Grammy don’t know their metal. Jethro Tull even beat out Metallica and their … And Justice for All album with that win. Unbelievable.
Another time that comes to mind, although not nearly as controversial or high-profile, was when Tenacious D won the Best Metal Performance Grammy in 2015 for their cover of “The Last in Line.” Sure, Jack Black is great. But, Tenacious D is a joke band. I still believe Mastodon should have won that year with “High Road.” At least Mastodon has one Grammy, and it’s for “Sultan’s Curse,” which won for Best Metal Performance in 2018.
The Grammys Got It Right in 2025
Thankfully, there’s no Jethro Tull or Tenacious D among the 2015 Grammy nominees for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. Instead, we have “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ca Ira!)” from Gojira, Marina Viotta & Victor Le Masne; “Crown of Horns” from Judas Priest; “Suffocate” from Knocked Loose featuring Poppy; “Screaming Suicide” from Metallica; and “Cellar Door” from Spiritbox.
I wouldn’t want to be the one who has to pick a No. 1 out of this bunch, because they’re all incredibly good. I have to give the Grammy committee props for going with real metal this year. Judas Priest is a longtime favorite. I’ve interviewed Rob Halford, and he’s also incredibly gracious and humble for someone who really helped start the entire British metal movement. Gojira became a household name after their performance at the Paris Olympics this past summer. Knocked Loose and Poppy totally rage on “Suffocate,” and that track is pure fire. Metallica, well, is Metallica, and they’re the kings. Spiritbox brings some Canadian, female-led metal to the mix, and it’s great to see a fresh name in there.
No matter who wins, I’ll be happy with the result. If I had to choose, I’d go with Priest, because it’s fantastic to see them still churning out quality music after 50 years together. But, either way, this year’s metal nominees rock.
