Rock award for his 'spirit of metal'

Bill Bailey is to receive one of the most prestigious honours in heavy metal.

The 48-year-old comic has been chosen as the recipient of the Spirit Of Hammer Award at the Golden Gods ceremony, run by Metal Hammer magazine.

Previous winners have included Christopher Lee and influential rockers Diamond Head.

Award organisers said: ‘Bailey embodies the spirit of what it is to be “metal” – and last year he headlined the Saturn Stage at the Sonisphere Festival.’

Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas added: ‘Anyone who's ever seen Bill Bailey parody Slayer, or perhaps backstage at Mastodon or Opeth gigs, will know that his heart beats for the music we love.

‘It'll be an honour to have him down on such an already star-studded night.

Bailey said: ‘I am really chuffed to be honoured by Metal Hammer and its readers in this way. It proves what I have always thought, that the spirit of metal transcends the music.’

He will receive his award on Monday at a ceremony that will feature Watain, BioHazard and Anthrax.

Published: 7 Jun 2012