This year featured a number of heavy-hitting tours. With an incredible amount of bands hitting the road, festivals moving from town to town, and even a few bands creating their own festivals, 2012 has been packed with brilliant concerts.

It's difficult to narrow it down to 10, but here are the nominees for Live Act of the Year. Check out the nominated bands and be sure to vote for your favorite in the poll below:

 

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Anthrax

Along with putting on killer shows around the world, Anthrax headlined the second stage of the 2012 Mayhem Festival and toured extensively with Testament and Death Angel.

 

 

 

Five Finger Death Punch
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Five Finger Death Punch

Having conceived the 2012 Trespass America Festival, Five Finger Death Punch led the huge tour with support from Killswitch Engage, Trivium, Emmure, God Forbid and Battlecross.

 

 

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Godsmack

As one of the headlining acts of both the Mass Chaos tour and the 2012 Uproar Festival, Godsmack delivered solid performances throughout the year.

 

 

 

GWAR
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GWAR

At least on Planet Earth, there is no act even close to what GWAR unleash onstage every single performance. The band of aliens toured with Municipal Waste and Ghoul earlier this year in memory of their late guitarist Cory Smoot, and later hit the road with DevilDriver and Cancer Bats.

 

 

Halestorm
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Halestorm

Halestorm have proven themselves to be one of 2012's premiere rock acts. The band toured extensively this year, hitting the road with Evanescence and Chevelle on the 2012 Carnival of Madness tour along with their own headlining tour and opening slots for Alice Cooper.

 

 

Iron Maiden
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Iron Maiden

The legendary British heavy metallers of Iron Maiden finally returned to the United States in 2012 with the 'Maiden England' tour. The band hit new heights with their stage show, giving the fans stellar set list heavily based on the 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' album.

 

 

Metallica
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Metallica

When you're the biggest metal band in the world, there isn't much more to conquer, thus Metallica created their own festival. The first edition of the Orion Music + More Festival was a huge success, with Metallica performing both 'Ride the Lightning' and the 'Black Album' in its entirety.

 

 

Rob Zombie Band
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Rob Zombie

Boasting one of music's most incredible stage shows, Rob Zombie embarked on the 'Twins of Evil' tour with co-headliner Marilyn Manson. Though there was some tension between the two frontmen, fans turned up in droves for the unique tour.

 

 

Slipknot
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Slipknot

Slipknot are another live band everyone should experience at least once i their life. The metal marauders headlined the 2012 Mayhem Festival over giants such as Slayer and Motorhead. Slipknot also created their own carnival-based festival, Knotfest.

 

 

Steel Panther
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Steel Panther

Heavy metal's back! It's impossible not to have fun at a Steel Panther show. Along with hilarious tracks, solid musicianship and side-splitting stage banter, you're guaranteed to witness a tremendous amount of flashing from some lovely ladies.

 

 

Tool
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Tool

Modern-day legends Tool surprised fans with an arena tour early in the year, gifting their devotees with tremendous performances along with some of the greatest visuals ever produced for a live show.

 

 

 

Voting for the 2012 Loudwire Music Awards closes on Jan. 15 at 11:59 PM EST. Fans can vote once per hour, so keep coming back to make sure your favorite band wins!

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