Image: Sleep Token [Official Press Photo]
At the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026, several familiar and newer names from the rock and metal scene once again swept up various prizes. Among them were Sleep Token, who took home the "Rock Album of the Year" award for Even In Arcadia.
Linkin Park triumphed with their song “Heavy Is The Crown” as Rock Song of the Year, winning out against bands like Evanescence, Papa Roach, and Shinedown. The latter, however, took home the award for Rock Artist of the Year. Nominees for Best New Rock Artist included the likes of Poppy, Spiritbox, and Architects (whether these artists should still be considered "new" is certainly up for debate)—but the prize ultimately went to Sleep Theory, who have been active since 2019 and delivered their debut album Afterglow in 2025.
Outside of rock and metal, there was one award after another for pop icon Taylor Swift, the title of "Alternative Artist of the Year" for Twenty One Pilots, the award for "K-Pop Group of the Year" for Stray Kids, and renewed recognition for the internationally hyped soundtrack of K-Pop Demon Hunters.
