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Ryan Key performs with Yellowcard during the Alternative Press Music Awards at Value City Arena in the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus on Monday, July 18, 2016.

(Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- if you thought the Grammys were all about special collaborations and guest appearances, they've got nothing on the Alternative Press Music Awards.



The 2016 APMAs looked to up the ante with the use of the phrase "with guests" when it came to just about every performance. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't.



The best example of the night was also the most surprising. Babymetal, the Japanese metal idol band known for its unique attire and choreographed moves, stole the show with help from Rob Halford of Judas Priest. The captivating set closed with a thrilling performance of Priest's "Breaking the Law."

Metal and Japan were my life, but I never thought it could have been meeting at this level#BABYMETAL#ROB_HALFORD pic.twitter.com/Dr4ULjpjPz — The first Samurai of the Princess Momotaro (@SakuraBoy87) July 19, 2016



More kudos also goes to Neck Deep, who did away with the typical routine of its own, recent songs in favor of a medley that included the hits of Blink 182, Green Day, New Found Glory and All Time Low.



Speaking of All Time Low, band members and hosts for the second year in a row, Jack Barakat and Alex Gaskarth showed off their great chemistry on the stage at Columbus Schottenstein center.

The duo took on the theme of election night (fitting for a show that moved from Cleveland to Columbus because of the RNC). After a lengthy voting process on social media, Jack was crowned then new "President of the APMAs."



But not everything clicked as well. The opening set featuring Mayday Parade and The Maine trading songs was a bit underwhelming until Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind showed up for a performance of that bands hit "Jumper."



Several of the other performances featured a random mix of singers from various bands dropping by to sing with acts like Yellowcard and Issues. It was a bit of overkill, especially since the alcohol was clearly flowing backstage (leading to some so-so singing).



It's also worth pointing out Dashboard Confessional was billed as one of the top acts performing. In the end, that apparently meant frontman Chris Carrabba singing a few lyrics alongside Neck Deep (not sure what happened there).

At the other end of the spectrum was a shocking, but fantastic appearance by Creed singer Scott Stapp before A Day to Remember closed the show. Who thought they'd hear Creed's "Higher" at the Alternative Press Music Awards?

Other highlights included Good Charlotte delivering a collection of its biggest songs and Of Mice & Men, whose thunderous set was a welcomed one towards the end of the show.



As for the awards themselves, Panic! at the disco cleaned up, winning Song of the Year and Video of the Year. Twenty One Pilots also got its just due, earning Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, the two biggest awards of the night.

Sadly, Twenty One Pilots was on tour and couldn't accept the awards in its hometown of Columbus in person, sending a video acceptance speech instead.

But the night's most touching moment came when The Ghost Inside won Most Dedicated Fan Base. The band, which nearly fell apart both literally and figuratively after its tour bus collided with a tractor trailer last year, was gracious is thanking fans for those unwavering support.

I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, IM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU @theghostinside @JonathanVigil pic.twitter.com/JdZXpj1iyz — malcolm leX (@lexwaslike) July 19, 2016

A lot was made of the APMAs' move to Columbus to avoid the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. In the end, the show as still able to produce several memorable moments.

Perhaps it wasn't enough to top the show's amazing first year in 2014. But fans got a taste of just about every hot band in the scene. This year's Alternative Press Music Awards certainly did not take a less is more approach, for better and worse.