A Drumheller man had the honour to be an adjudicator for Canada’s top music prize, and the best part, his selection won.
Geoff Bourrie, owner of Jurraisc Ink and one of the key organizers of the Loud as Hell Heavy Metal Festival in Drumheller, was picked by the Juno Awards as a judge to select the top Metal/ Hard Music Album of the year for 2025.
“It was a cool experience being from a small town like Drumheller to getting to judge for Canada's largest music award,” he said.
Bourrie has been active in the independent music scene for years. The Loud as Hell Festival has been going on for 13 years, as well as three other festivals. He judges rock and metal battles in Calgary.
“I try to help out as much as I can. Being from a small town like Drumheller, it is a little difficult to get out to these festivals, but I do my best. In the summer, we hit festivals all over summer in Alberta and B.C.,” he said.
It was this hard work and networking that got him recognized.
“My name has gotten around in the independent music culture in Alberta. The Junos contacted me and said, ‘your name has come across our desk and we think you would fit,’” said Bourrie.
He filled out the application, and he was chosen.
He has had experience in judging. The Loud as Hell Festival sponsors the Calgary Music Awards and the Manitoba Music Awards.
It wasn’t just as simple as picking his favourite record. He was sent 28 albums to review and to send in the top 10 list. From there, they winnowed down the nominees to five. They went over the nominees with even more scrutiny and selected a winner.
This year's Juno winner for Metal/Hard Music Album was Anciient, and the album was Beyond the Reach of the Sun.
Bourrie says that after his review of the 28 albums, he ranked them in second place. When he looked at the five finalists, he sent them to his number one selection
Anciient performed last year at the Loud as Hell Festival.
