The Surrey-based group won the best album prize for their debut, Ideas Above Our Station, at Tuesday's ceremony.

"We were absolutely convinced that we weren't going to win anything, so we're absolutely amazed," guitarist Larry Hibbitt told BBC News Online.

The band won their first Kerrang! award in 2000

They triumphed against more established and internationally successful US and Canadian bands Nickelback, System Of A Down, Sum 41 and Puddle of Mudd.

"Because the other bands are all American, they are a hell of a lot bigger than us because they are more international, so when we beat them it was unbelievable," Hibbitt said.

Ideas Above Our Station went into the UK top 10 when it was first released and the band have been gathering a large following.

"It's our first album and it's sold loads more than we ever expected it would," he said.

"It sold more in the first week than we expected to sell in a year. We were all really, really surprised."

Vast amounts of absinthe will be consumed, as is the usual practice at these things

Larry Hibbitt

They said their first Kerrang! award - for best new British band in 2000 - started the ball rolling.

The group have also been keeping a festival diary for BBC News Online throughout the summer.

The group planned to celebrate their latest victory in the tradition of the raucous annual ceremony.

"It is the Kerrang! Awards, which generally means everybody getting absolutely hammered," Hibbitt said.

Live star: Matthew Bellamy of Muse

"I imagine we're not going to be able to walk home. Vast amounts of absinthe will be consumed, as is the usual practice at these things."

Tributes

Red Hot Chili Peppers won best band in the world at the event, while best British band was A.

Adam Perry of A told BBC News Online: "This is probably the only award we will ever win, so we're going to milk it."

Best new British band was Cooper Temple Clause, while best international newcomers were Canadian rockers Sum 41.

Muse, who won best British live act, told BBC News Online: "We want to dedicate this award to the crew and to Hundred Reasons because we had an amazing tour with those guys last year."

Marilyn Manson and Red Hot Chilli Peppers relayed messages via videolinks.

Festival favourites Slipknot - who set fire to their table at 2000's ceremony - won nothing.

Cult German performer Alec Empire with his award

Kerrang! Awards: Winners in full:

Best international newcomer: Sum 41
Best single: Blurry - Puddle of Mudd
Classic songwriter: The Offspring
Best British live act: Muse
Best video: Marilyn Manson
Best British band: A
Best international live act: Rammstein
Best new British band: The Cooper Temple Clause
Best Album: Ideas Above Our Station - Hundred Reasons
Best band in the world: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Spirit of Independence Award: Alec Empire
Hall of Fame: Foo Fighters