Where—Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth
When—5th Nov/8th Nov 2025
Awards Night
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
Back for its eighteenth year, Hard Rock Hell once again takes over Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth, bringing four days packed with live music and rock bands to suit every taste.
The festival officially kicks off with its traditional Awards Night, setting the tone for the weekend ahead. With a Transylvania theme, there is gothic finery everywhere you look, as everyone throws themselves into the spirit of the event. Complete with a red-carpet entrance, HRH press photos, and plenty of excitement in the air before everyone heads to their tables, it’s a lively start to the weekend.
Even though it’s only my second year at HRH, the sense of community hits straight away—familiar faces, all buzzing to be back in the thick of it and catching up over a shared love of rock music and a bucketload of drink!
The night itself runs smoothly, with four rounds of awards handed out between live performances from Dhampyres, Black Lakes, Graywolf, and Black Eyed Sons.
Each band brings something different to the stage, shaping the evening perfectly and keeping the energy levels high between all the laughter, applause, and cheers.
(All award winners are at the bottom of the review.)
Dhampyres kick things off with a blast of solid hard rock that hits all the right notes. There’s grit in the vocals, weight in the riffs, and a rhythm section that drives everything forward with real bite. They’ve got that classic heavy feel but still manage to sound fresh; all dressed up in gothic costumes, they are the perfect band to set the scene for the night.
Dhampyres
Video
Darkness Becomes Sun
Next up are Black Lakes (winners of the Rising Stars Award), bringing the heavy sound to the night. Their explosive alternative metal sound shakes things up and commands the room from the first note. I’m a huge fan of their music, as it’s massive, emotional, and absolutely relentless in the best way. The riffs hit hard, Will’s vocals are full of feeling, and the whole band moves with purpose and power; they are raw, loud, and completely gripping.
Black Lakes
Video
Dead Gods
The night is moving along nicely, and people are mingling and moving around the tables, meeting up with festival friends they’ve not seen since last year. There is laughter and smiles spilling over everywhere I look. This weekend is an escape from the worries of the world, and everyone is grabbing it with both hands.
As the penultimate band of the night, Graywolf (winners of the Best International Young Blood Award) take to the stage and instantly have the crowd. Their set is packed with upbeat, feel-good tracks that perfectly match the celebratory mood of the evening.
Tight musicianship, great stage chemistry, and an infectious energy keep the crowd fully engaged from start to finish. With a new single released only a few days ago, they are worthy of a listen. Luckily for everyone here, there is another chance to catch them again over the weekend.
Video
Scream
With the awards nearly done it’s time for the last band of the evening to take to the stage in what is described as the graveyard slot Black Eyed Sons close out the night in style as they hit the stage with all the swagger you’d expect from the band, rolling out a mix of tracks, including ones from their latest album Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits, to a crowd in the party mood. The mix of songs went down a treat, with singalong moments and guest appearances. If you haven’t given the album a spin yet, you’re missing out; it’s pure, unfiltered rock ’n’ roll done right.
Video
Cowboys in Pinstriped Suits
With all the formalities of the awards done, most people headed to the bar to mingle while the music continued for a wee while longer.
Tonight has been a great success; it’s been well organised, well thought out, and packed with all the glitz and gothic drama you could ask for. But, as with all good things, it had to come to an end, but with three more days still to come, it’s been a fantastic start to the weekend.
HRH XVIII Awards
Lords of Blues – Will Wild
Lords of Sleaze – Black Rain
Rising Stars Black Lakes
Best International Young Blood—Gray Wolf
HRH axeman—Brian Tatler (from Diamond Head)
Hard Rock Hell Radio DJ – Robo
Best International Singer—Jizzy Pearl
Master of Keys Keith Weir (Quire Boys and Black Eyed Sons)
MJolnir awarded by HRH (Thor’s Hammer)—Royal Republic
Legend Award awarded by HRH – Electric Six
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