Venezuelan metal band Stratuz wins big at Pepsi Music Awards

The eleventh edition of the Pepsi Music Awards took place on Tuesday, October 31st, where the Atmospheric Death Doom band Stratuz won the awards for Best Rock Artist and Best Rock Album with their latest album Osculum Pacis.

Stratuz is the first extreme metal band to be nominated for the Pepsi Music Awards, creating a historical precedent in Venezuela and now becomes the first extreme metal band to be awarded in these two categories.

The band Stratuz was born to make history. In their 40 years, they have pioneered numerous events and broken many milestones within the Venezuelan rock scene.

In addition, the band formed by Franklin Berroterán (lead vocals), Gerónimo Egea (guitar), Diego Cabrujas (drums), and Leonardo Rangel (bass), is celebrating their second consecutive year in the Top 50 of The Jacqui Raven Show, on US radio station 99WNRR, as well as their signing with Wormholedeath, a record label whose products are distributed worldwide by Aural Music Group, which has a publishing division managed by Warner/Chappel Music Holland BV (Warner Music Group); its distribution and digital marketing is handled by the US corporation The Orchard INC (Sony Music Ent.).

“We are very happy and honored to receive these two awards from the Pepsi Music Awards for Best Rock Artist and Best Rock Album. We want to thank all the members of the Pepsi Music Awards Academy, for valuing and recognizing our work and allowing us to demonstrate that the Metal genre has much to contribute to our society, likewise, we want to thank all our fans who made this dream materialize through their vote. The sum of each of their votes allowed the formation of each of these awards and this proves that we have the ability to build and materialize our dreams if we wish”, said Franklin Berroterán.

STRATUZ emerged onto the metal scene in 1984 and quickly solidified their position as Venezuela’s most revered metal band. Their debut album, “In Nomine…” released in 1995, catapulted them to recognition and acclaim. Following a triumphant European tour in 1999, they signed with LSP-Company and released “Spirit Seduction,” which marked a new chapter in their musical journey. After a hiatus, the band reunited in 2019, pouring their passion into the creation of Osculum Pacis, which was unleashed upon the world in 2022. The album garnered international praise, securing the top spot on the Jacquin Ravens Top 50 Metal chart and earning accolades as the best work of 2022 by esteemed journalist Roberto Palmitesta and Metal Pedia.