Thursday July 2, 04:19 AM

Masked rockers Slipknot chase five Kerrang! awards

LONDON (Reuters) - American "shock rock" band Slipknot led the nominations on Wednesday for the Kerrang! Awards, Britain's biggest heavy metal music prize.

The nine-piece band, known for their macabre horror masks and spectacular concerts, notched up six award nominations, including best album and two for best single, organisers said.

During the 2000 Kerrang! ceremony, the band celebrated winning the best band award by wrecking the stage and setting fire to their table.

"I am thrilled," Slipknot singer Corey Taylor said in a statement. "It is just another reason (why) this has been the best time of our career."

Slipknot face competition from U.S. heavy metal band Metallica, who earned five nominations, while rockers Placebo and English punk rock group Gallows are up for three awards.

British bands Enter Shikari and The Prodigy, and U.S. group Green Day picked up two nominations.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on August 3. Details of all the nominees are on Kerrang! magazine's website, http://awards.kerrang.com.

(Editing by Peter Griffiths)