HUNGARY – AWS is a Hungarian metal and post-hardcore band formed in 2006 by Bence Brucker, Dániel Kökényes, Örs Siklósi, and Áron Veress. Originally, their name was an acronym for Ants With Slippers, but now the band is just known as AWS (often humorously explained as an acronym for a random phrase).
Their music is characterized by diversity, powerful performances, and sudden changes, which utilizes metal, psychedelic rock, alternative and post-rock styles. Up to now, they have released three singles, three albums and seven video clips. Their music videos often have juxtapositions of images of violence and celebrities in order to bring light to problems that the world faces, exhibiting what they call being “anti-celebrity”.
They represented Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal, with the song Viszlát nyár.
Since the formation of their band, they have played in festivals such as Sziget Festival in 2010 and have even toured beyond Hungary in places such as Austria, England, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain. They won the MTV Brand award for New Winning Band. They have toured with Blind Myself.
On 6 December 2017, it was announced that AWS will compete in A Dal 2018, the Hungarian national selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal with the song Viszlát nyár, and got 45 points in the heat and qualified to the semifinals in first place, tying with Gergely Dánielfy.
After coming first in their respective semi-final, they advanced to the finals and won the competition and as a result, represented Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. They participated in the second semi final and qualified to the final, reaching 21st overall.
During their stint at Eurovision Song Contest it was announced that AWS are invited to play at Wacken Open Air in August 2018.
