2024 Extreme Music Awards Announce Winners

On January 13, Empire Live hosted the first-ever Extreme Music Awards 2024, announcing winners in 22 categories. Albany became a headbanger’s paradise as the elite of the Capital Region’s heavy music scene descended upon it in waves.

From up-and-coming talent to wild antics in the mosh pit, the EMAs celebrated the diversity of heavy music in Upstate New York in style. Additionally, the evening was made extra special by a star-studded lineup of presenters. The night finished with an incredible all-star jam that rocked Empire Live to its core. The EMAs made a huge mark in the Capital Region music scene with their booming debut.

Reflecting on the eight-month journey that became the EMAs, Brendan Manley looked back, measuring success by the beaming faces, including organizers, presenters, performers, nominees, and audience. The smiles were the real currency of the evening, perfectly capturing the spirit behind the creation of the EMAs.

Ralph Renna, a force in the local music scene, praised the teamwork that made the EMAs possible.

“It took five forces in the local music scene to get it together: myself, Mike Valente, Art Fredette, Fuzz and Brendan Manley. It also took the support of the music scene that we’ve all been involved in for more than 30 years, which got right behind us. I honestly thought there was too much hype behind this whole thing; that it wouldn’t come off the way we expected. It exceeded all our expectations, and we are already working on 2025. We don’t do this for a paycheck. We do this for the love of heavy metal, hardcore and punk rock in Upstate NY.” 

Ralph Renna

The Extreme Music Awards 2024 have not only made an impact on the local music scene, but have also set the stage for an even more remarkable chapter in 2025. The Capital Region’s heavy music scene is expected to experience many groundbreaking events in the future thanks to the passion of all those involved.

For more information and post-event coverage, click here.

The Extreme Music Awards Winners

Best Death Metal Band – Skinless

Best Black Metal Band – Malefic

Best Doom/Goth/Stoner Band – Gozer

Best Power Metal Band – Frozen Sun

Best Prog/Math Metal Band – The Phoenix and the Raven

Best Hair/Glam/Sleaze Band – The Erotics

Best Thrash Metal Band – Faced

Best Grindcore Band – Escuela Grind

Best Metalcore Band – Downswing

Best Punk Band – The Hauntings

Best Hardcore Band – Violent By Design

Best Hardcore Beatdown Band – Wrong Move

Best Hardcore Punk Band – Murderer’s Row

Best Metal Video – Downswing (“Bound To Misery”)

Best Live Performance – Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band

Most Brutal Mosh Pit – Invoke Thy Wrath

Best Merch – Alloy Reign

Album of the Year – Blackbraid – (Blackbraid II)

Lifetime Achievement Award – Bob Riley (Murderer’s Row)

Best New Band – Flatwounds

Best Veteran Band – The Erotics

Most Influential Musician – Jason Bittner (Overkill)