Chris Kael Wins Metal Hammer ‘Best Beard’ Award

Metal Hammer has declared Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael’s beard to be the best beard in metal.

To pay tribute to the forthcoming Academy Award ceremony this weekend in Hollywood, Metal Hammer decided to honor several notable musicians and bands with, “some extremely prestigious gongs.” Categories included: ‘Best Metal Pet,’ ‘Best Worst Video,’ ‘Best Non-Album’ and many more.

Unsurprisingly, Kael and his epic beard took home the ‘Best Beard’ award, edging out fellow nominees: Neil Fallon (Clutch), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar), Brent Hinds (Mastodon) and Scott Ian (Anthrax).

Metal Hammer wrote: “In a world where bare chins have become a startling rarity, men of the world have had to step up their facial hair to truly stand out. Chris’ game-changing squid-tentacles look has been an inspiration and proof that originality can still work. Chris, we salute you!”

A full list of categories, nominees and winners can be found below.

BEST BEARD

Nominations:

Neil Fallon (Clutch)
Kirk Windstein (Crowbar)
Brent Hinds (Mastodon)
Chris Kael (Five Finger Death Punch)
Scott Ian (Anthrax)

And the winner is…Chris Kael from Five Finger Death Punch!

BEST LIVE GIMMICK

Nominations:

Thy Art Is Murder – crowd surf races
Bury Tomorrow – ‘twerk-le’ pits
Skindred – The Newport Helicopter
Five Finger Death Punch – kids on stage
Airbourne – Joel’s crowd strolls

And the winner is…Skindred!

BEST DRESSED

Nominations:

Papa E (Ghost)
Nergal (Behemoth)
Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish)
Upon A Burning Body
Steel Panther

And the winner is…Upon A Burning Body!

BEST COVER

Nominations:

DevilDriver – Sail
Ghost – I’m A Marionette
Motorhead/Biff Byford – Starstruck
The Hell – Stay Another Day
Asking Alexandria – Closer

And the winner is…Ghost!

BEST WORST VIDEO

Nominations:

Limp Bizkit – Ready To Go
Baby Metal – Give Me Choco!!!
The Coathangers – Follow Me
The Hell – Step It Up
Steel Panther – Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World

And the winner is…The Hell!

BEST NON-ALBUM 

Nominations:

Tool
Metallica
The Prodigy
Iron Maiden
Limp Bizkit

And the winner is…Tool!

BEST INSTAGRAM

Nominations:

Randy Blythe (Lamb Of God)
Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage)
James Hetfield (Metallica)
Dez Fafara (DevilDriver)
Paolo Gregoletto (Trivium)

And the winner is…Randy Blythe!

BEST T-SHIRT

Nominations:

Kvelertak
Crossfaith
Miss May I
Iron Maiden
Kylesa

And the winner is…Crossfaith!

BEST STUPID MERCH

Nominations

Morgue Orgy – The Dildo
Zakk Wylde – Valhalla Coffee
Devin Townsend – Ziltoid Cap
Heavens Basement – Hot Sauce
Every Band Ever – Christmas Jumpers

And the winner is…Morgue Orgy!

BEST METAL PET

Nominations:

Paolo Trivium’s cat
Paolo Trivium’s cat
Paolo Trivium’s cat
Paolo Trivium’s cat
Paolo Trivium’s cat

And the winner is…Paolo from Trivium’s cat!