The winner of the Rock The Nation Award 2012 has been picked.

Rock The Nation and Noiseart Records state: "Before we announce the name of the band in a moment, we would like to thank all the bands that took part, all the users for their voting, and of course this years presenters of the award - Noizeletter, Metalnews.de, Stormbringer.at And Rock Hard Italy.

The Rock The Nation Award was launched 2009 for the very first time and is happening this year for the third time. 2009, STEELWING and SUICIDAL ANGELS won the award, 2010 shooting stars SKULL FIST were voted the lucky winner!

Last year two bands would claim the RTN award for themselves: KRAMPUS hailing from Italy and NEXUS INFERIS from the UK.

So, who's the winner of the Rock The Nation Awards 2012? It's the thrash metal band ESSENCE. The Danish younkers (the band has a average age of 23 years) have convinced the jury with their enormous energy and their joy of playing. Essence has already shared stages with acts like IN FLAMES, ENTOMBED, and VADER within the last years, and they've played the Danish Roskilde Festival and the Vagos Open Air in Portugal among others. The new Essence album, which has been recorded, engineered and produced with Mastermind Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, HYPOCRISY, IMMORTAL, CHILDREN OF BODOM, DIMMU BORGIR, etc.) in his Abyss Studio, will be out early 2013 via NoiseArt Records.

That's what does the band say about winning the award: "We are extremely proud and honored to have been chosen as winners of the Rock The Nation Award! In our eyes, Rock The Nation and NoiseArt Records are the best in the business and for several years we dreamed of becoming a part of their rosters. They treat their bands brilliantly and are highly professional in their work - everything we value in our partners. Though an immense honor has been given to us, we know that the hard work has only just begun and we will treat this award and co-operation with respect and humbleness. We send our heaviest of devil horns to all the great bands who was nominated!"

The winners benefit is:

1) a record deal with NoiseArt Records – with worldwide distribution.

2) a worldwide booking contract with one of the leading metal agencies/management companies Rock The Nation which is the home of bands such as KREATOR, BEHEMOTH, SABATON, KATAKLYSM, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, ELUVEITIE, FINNTROLL, WINTERSUN and many more.

3) touring Europe in 2013 – Rock The Nation books highly successful festival tours these days, like Full Of Hate, Neckbreakers Ball, Heidenfest, Paganfest, Thrashfest .

4) guaranteed summer festival appearances in 2013.

5) many more festivals and future tours.

6) presentation through Europe’s premiere metal magazines who present the RTN award – followed by a huge European wide campaign.