I am the Entertainment Tycoon
Chapter 812: A Legendary King Stuns the Crowd - Best Rock Album
The ArtReam Hall was alive with excitement as the final rock award of the night was about to be presented. The anticipation in the air was palpable. Everyone knew that the most prestigious honor in the rock genre, Best Rock Album, was next. It was a category that celebrated the artistry, craftsmanship, and raw energy that defined the essence of rock music.
The lights dimmed, and the screen behind the stage glowed with the words Best Rock Album. A hush fell over the crowd, the collective anticipation thickening. The audience knew that something special was coming, but no one was prepared for the moment when the presenter was revealed.
Suddenly, the lights on stage flickered on, and there he was—Frairrir, a Sakurean Rock Legend, standing at the microphone, looking as powerful and enigmatic as ever. The reaction from the audience was immediate and overwhelming. The entire hall erupted into deafening cheers, screams, and applause. It was as if the very air had been electrified by his presence. Even those watching at home through their screens felt the magnitude of this moment. Frairrir had been crowned King of Singing fifteen years ago during the 115th edition of the Sapphire Awards, an achievement that etched his name into the annals of music history forever. And after all these years, he had seemingly vanished from the public eye, his legend becoming the stuff of myth.
Tonight, seeing him on stage again was like witnessing the return of a forgotten god. The roar of the crowd was so intense that it took several moments before Frairrir could speak. He waited patiently, his signature grin spreading across his face as he surveyed the crowd, taking it all in.
"Well, well," he finally said, his voice still as powerful and captivating as it had been during his prime. "I guess my old bones still manage to bring out a little excitement, huh?"
The crowd cheered louder, their love for the rock legend flooding the room.
"I've been away for a while," Frairrir continued, his voice deep and filled with warmth. "But tonight, I had to come back. I had to see with my own eyes the incredible talent of the youth in the rock genre. You all carry the torch that we, the old guard, once lit. And let me tell you something, you're doing an amazing job."
The audience, filled with artists, musicians, and fans, hung on his every word. Even though Frairrir was primarily a rock icon, his fame and influence had crossed into every genre. He was a King, after all—a title that transcended musical boundaries.
He continued, his charisma lighting up the hall. "But enough about me. Tonight's about you. Tonight's about the next generation of rockers. And the nominees for Best Rock Album are all artists who've poured their hearts, souls, and sweat into their work, and it's time to honor that effort."
The screen behind him lit up once more, showing the eight nominees for Best Rock Album. The crowd fell into a hushed anticipation as the camera cut to each band, each album, each artist.
The first nominee was Steel Serpent from Sakura Abode Country, their album "Curses" having captivated fans with its haunting melodies and deep lyrical themes.
Next was Fenrir from Nordic Country, with their album "Myths." The band had gained worldwide acclaim for their raw, primal energy, and their music drew heavily from ancient Nordic mythology.
Following them was Winter's Bite, also from Nordic Country, with their atmospheric album "Freezing Crown." The band's chilling soundscapes had taken the rock world by storm.
The fourth nominee was Black Reign from Eagle Country, whose album "Road To..." had been a hard-hitting, fast-paced record that resonated deeply with rock fans around the globe.
Then came DragonFire from Sakura Abode Country, their album "Eruption" showcasing their blistering guitar work and explosive performances.
The sixth nominee was Shadow Hunt from Eagle Country, whose dark, gritty album "No More Tomorrow" had been a critical and commercial success, pushing the boundaries of modern rock.
The seventh nominee was Kai Jorgensen from Nordic Country, his solo album "Cold Iron" having shown a deeply introspective side of the artist, combining technical mastery with emotional depth.
And finally, the last nominee appeared on the screen—ZoZ from Sakura Abode Country, with their latest album "Shout to Beyond." The crowd cheered loudly at the mention of ZoZ, a band that had become a global phenomenon over the last decade. Their heavy, intense sound, combined with emotional depth, had made them one of the most beloved rock bands in the world.
Frairrir paused for dramatic effect, looking at the crowd before opening the envelope in his hands. The tension was thick, and every nominee held their breath, waiting for the announcement.
"And the award for Best Rock Album goes to…" Frairrir paused, his smile widening as he revealed the winner. "ZoZ, for 'Shout to Beyond!'"
The audience erupted into applause as the camera zoomed in on the members of ZoZ. The band was visibly emotional, their faces a mixture of shock, joy, and disbelief. Despite their ten years of experience, playing in sold-out arenas and being adored by millions of fans, this moment felt different. The band had already won this same award 2 times before, as it wasn't by chance that they were nominated for the most prestigious band award of the night, Best Music Band. Only bands with an extensive winning and quality record could win this reward. But winning the Best Rock Album award, for the third time, was the culmination of their hard work and dedication. What made this moment even more surreal and special was receiving the award from Frairrir—their idol, the legend who had inspired them to become musicians in the first place.
The band members hugged each other tightly before making their way to the stage. As they approached Frairrir, their excitement was palpable. The leader of the band, Ryo Hasegawa, couldn't stop smiling, and it was clear that the rest of the band felt the same way.
As Frairrir handed the Sapphire Award to Ryo, the younger rockstar's hands trembled slightly. "I don't even know what to say," Ryo began, looking up at Frairrir with wide eyes. "You have no idea how much this means to us. Standing here, receiving this award from you… it's like a dream."
Frairrir grinned and patted Ryo on the shoulder. "You earned it, kid. You and your band have carried the torch of rock, and you're doing us all proud."
Ryo looked at the award again, then turned back to the microphone. "We've been together for ten years now, and every day, we think about how lucky we are to be able to do what we love. But more than anything, we owe this to the people who came before us. To legends like Frairrir, who showed us what it means to live and breathe rock music."
The crowd applauded as Ryo continued, his voice thick with emotion. "This album, 'Shout to Beyond,' was our way of pushing ourselves further than we've ever gone before. We wanted to create something raw, something real, something that would make people feel. And to have it recognized tonight, here, by the Sakurean Music Society, it's… it's overwhelming."
The other band members, including Kai Matsuda, the band's lead guitarist, stepped forward to say a few words. "We grew up listening to Frairrir's albums. He's the reason we fell in love with rock. To be on this stage, holding this award… it feels like we've come full circle."
Takeshi, the drummer, added, "We want to thank our fans, who have stuck with us through thick and thin. This award belongs to all of you too. You're the reason we keep going."
The band took a moment to bow to the audience, their faces still lit with disbelief and gratitude. As they left the stage, clutching their award, the significance of the moment settled over them. They had just been recognized by their idol, in front of the world, for creating one of the best rock albums of the year.
A legend delivered the award to another legend-to-be.
The audience, still buzzing from the emotional win, knew that this was a moment that would go down in Sapphire Melody Awards history—a night where legends met the next generation, and rock music continued to thrive.