Ultimate Behind-The-Scenes Look At The 2012 'Revolver Golden Gods Awards'

The Revolver Golden Gods Awards returned for its fourth installment this year and the May/June issue of Revolver magazine, available now on newsstands, goes backstage at the explosive event. From Johnny Depp's surprise appearance with headliner MARILYN MANSON to Golden God Award winner Gene Simmons, the issue features never-before-seen photos and exclusive winner interviews from hard rock and heavy metal's biggest night. Revolver also follows Damien Echols of the West Memphis Three for his first-ever live hard-rock and metal concert experience and gets an inside look at his evening as a guest of Marilyn Manson and Johnny Depp.

A celebrity in his own right, Damien Echols of the West Memphis Three was recently released from prison after nearly 20 years on death row for a crime he didn't commit. Echols received outspoken support from numerous celebrities, including an unforgettable speech from Marilyn Manson at the 2010 Revolver Golden Gods Awards. Two years later, not only did he walk the black carpet with Manson, but also introduced Manson's performance to a crowd that sympathized with his plight of having been persecuted simply based on the music he listened, the books he read, and the way he dressed. The night marked Echols' first visit to the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, as well as his first-ever full-on hard-rock show.

Echols' speech was one of many memorable moments of the 2012 Revolver Golden Gods Awards that are featured in the current issue. One of the biggest surprises of the evening came as Johnny Depp, guitar in hand, hidden under a cowboy hat, took the stage with Marilyn Manson for a performance of "Sweet Dreams" and "The Beautiful People". A double-sided poster commemorates the show-stopping performance with a never-before-seen photo and is paired on its other side with an exclusive shot of BLACK VEIL BRIDES and Dee Snider, who took over the stage with a joint performance of the TWISTED SISTER hit "I Wanna Rock".

The Revolver cover story also gives the inside scoop on some of the night's biggest winners. Gene Simmons of KISS, who took home the title award of Golden God, admits in an in-depth interview that even with all of his accolades there is still a "little kid" inside that "can't believe that any of this is happening." Neil Peart, drummer of RUSH, also responds to the Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award that was presented to his band by TENACIOUS D, promising that the band will continue to try to earn the honor.

In addition, the May/June issue celebrates the awards with three separate collectible covers from a special photo shoot featuring six of the biggest names from this year's show. From Slash and Alice Cooper to Chris Jericho and Corey Taylor to BLACK VEIL BRIDES singer Andy Biersack and Dee Snider, the covers form one panoramic triptych image when placed side-by-side.

Beyond the in-depth cover story, the issue includes additional coverage of artists involved in this year's Revolver Golden Gods Awards. Jack Black and Kyle Glass of TENACIOUS D take on fan questions in a reader-submitted Q&A, and Lzzy Hale, the fiery front woman of HALESTORM who cohosted the Golden Gods pre-show "Black Carpet" special, interviews her idol Pat Benatar. Features also include an interview with Taylor Momsen of the PRETTY RECKLESS and the story behind the lost PANTERA song, "Piss".