The nominations for the Heavy Music Awards 2026 have been announced, with Sleep Token, Architects, Turnstile, Spiritbox and Deftones among the artists recognised across this year’s categories.
Voting is now open and closes at 5pm BST on June 26.
Best Album
- Architects
- Deftones
- Dayseeker
- Sleep Token
- Spiritbox
- Turnstile
- YUNGBLUD
Best Breakthrough Album
- Calva Louise
- Die Spitz
- Lambrini Girls
- Psycho-Frame
- Sleep Theory
- Split Chain
- Vianova
Best UK Artist
- Architects
- Bob Vylan
- Don Broco
- Enter Shikari
- Malevolence
- Sleep Token
- VUKOVI
Best International Artist
- Bilmuri
- Deftones
- Ice Nine Kills
- Knocked Loose
- LANDMVRKS
- Spiritbox
- Turnstile
Best UK Live Artist
- Architects
- Biffy Clyro
- Don Broco
- Enter Shikari
- Loathe
- Malevolence
- Sleep Token
Best International Live Artist
- Bad Omens
- Deftones
- Ghost
- Ice Nine Kills
- Spiritbox
- Thornhill
- Turnstile
Best Breakthrough Live Artist
- Calva Louise
- Lambrini Girls
- PRESIDENT
- South Arcade
- Split Chain
- Unpeople
- VOWER
Best UK Breakthrough Artist
- Artio
- False Reality
- Lambrini Girls
- Love Is Noise
- PRESIDENT
- Split Chain
- Unpeople
Best International Breakthrough Artist
- HELD.
- The Pretty Wild
- Psycho-Frame
- Sace6
- TX2
- Vianova
- XCOMM
Best Album Artwork
- AFI
- Architects
- Deftones
- LANDMVRKS
- Malevolence
- Sleep Token
- VUKOVI
Winners will be announced later this year following public voting and judging.
