Despised Icon Win ‘Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year’ At The 2026 ‘Juno Awards’

Canadian deathcore veterans Despised Icon added another major accolade to their career this weekend, taking home ‘Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year’ at the 2026 ‘Juno Awards.’

The honor was awarded for the band’s latest release Shadow Work, their first full-length album since 2019. The win came during the 55th annual edition of Canada’s premier music awards ceremony, where the group beat out a competitive field of nominees spanning metalcore, extreme metal, and post-hardcore.

Other artists nominated in the category included Counterparts, Cryptopsy, Silverstein, and Unreqvited.

Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year Nominees

Counterparts – Heaven Let Them Die
Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence
Silverstein – Antibloom
Unreqvited – A Pathway To The Moon
Despised Icon – Shadow Work (winner)

Elsewhere at the ceremony, indie rock outfit The Beaches claimed ‘Rock Album Of The Year’ for No Hard Feelings, topping a lineup that featured several established names from across the Canadian rock landscape.

Rock Album Of The Year Nominees

Bryan Adams – Roll With The Punches
grandson – INERTIA
The Blue Stones – Metro
The Damn Truth – The Damn Truth
Three Days Grace – Alienation
The Beaches – No Hard Feelings (winner)

The Juno Awards annually recognize achievements across Canada’s music industry, highlighting releases from both emerging artists and internationally established acts.

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