For years, many music lovers out there look at the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences with utter disdain come nomination time. They seem to miss the boat on some of their selections each year for the Grammys. I mean, this is the same group of people who gave Jethro Tull the award in 1989 for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance over Metallica for crying aloud!  

Now, I’m not sure if there has been any improvements in any other categories but having seen the nominees for this years Metal and Hard Rock Performance categories (they have since been separated), I think there has been drastic improvement. While it may be easy to hand out awards to the heavyweights such as Metallica, Tool, or Korn, I’m thrilled to see names such as As I Lay Dying, King Diamond, and Queens of the Stone Age on the list this year.

Therefore, to all the bands nominated this year, I send my sincerest congratulations. I have listed my pick from each category as well. So to all the metal-heads like myself and millions worldwide, throw your horns up and be proud.

Best Hard Rock Performance

“Sweet Sacrifice”
Evanescence
The Open Door (Wind-up)

“The Pretender”
Foo Fighters
Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace (Roswell/RCA)

“I Don't Wanna Stop”
Ozzy Osbourne
Black Rain (Epic)

“Sick, Sick, Sick”
Queens Of The Stone Age
Era Vulgaris (Interscope)

“The Pot”
Tool
10,000 Days (Volcano)

My pick: I’m going with the underdog on this one, Queens of the Stone Age. Since everyone else has won a Grammy before, I’d like to see Josh Homme and Co. take this one.

Best Metal Performance

“Nothing Left”
As I Lay Dying
An Ocean Between Us (Metal Blade)

“Never Ending Hill”
King Diamond
Give Me Your Soul...Please (Metal Blade)

“Aesthetics Of Hate”
Machine Head
The Blackening (Roadrunner)

“Redemption”
Shadows Fall
Threads Of Life (Atlantic)

“Final Six”
Slayer
Christ Illusion (American Recordings/Columbia) 

My Pick: Since Slayer won last year, it's time to give another metal band their due. If we are basing this on longevity and tradition, the win goes to King Diamond with Machine Head close behind but in the end, I would love to see As I Lay Dying take home the gold.