Independent Music NZ has announced the recipient of this year’s IMNZ Classic Record Award.
The award, which acknowledges a timeless Aotearoa album released over 20 years ago that continues to inspire today, has this year been given to Shihad’s Killjoy (Wildside Records 1995).
Blending the bone-rattling heaviness of their debut Churn with a sharper melodic edge, Killjoy delivered two Top 20 singles – “You Again” and “Bitter”- and scooped up four Aotearoa Music Awards, including Album of the Year. It was the start of a winning streak that would see Shihad collect 18 AMAs and earn a place in the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
The album’s legacy extends far beyond local shores. Killjoy won praise from Iggy Pop and members of Metallica, with MTV spotlighting their endorsements – securing its place in rock history.
In 2025, the ‘Loud Forever’ tour marked the band’s final live shows, closing out a monumental 37-year career.
Also confirmed today: the nominees for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, which recognises Aotearoa’s most promising new artists.
The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize, a performance or technical upskilling opportunity from Auckland Live, and, new for 2025, a $1,200 studio recording package from Parachute Studios.
The finalists for the 2025 Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award are:
Pony Baby – Pony Baby
VIDA – Aquatopialien
花溪 Flowerstream – Flowers Dream
Byllie-jean – Filter
The nominees for this year’s main Taite Music Prize were revealed at the beginning of March, featuring Georgia Lines, Fazerdaze, MOKOTRON, DARTZ, and more.
All three awards will be presented at the ceremony on April 15th at Q Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
