_{The multi-platinum rock group Five Finger Death Punch has teamed up with the legendary Brian May of Queen and two of the biggest names in country and blues rock, Brantley Gilbert and Kenny Wayne Shepherd to record a special version of the song “Blue On Black” mixed by Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Shania Twain, Disturbed). Titans in each of their respective genres, the artists came together to merge country and mainstream rock to re-create the classic song originally recorded and co-written by Shepherd. Taking Country Rock to the next level, “Blue On Black” is out now worldwide via Prospect Park (North America) and Eleven Seven Music (ex. North America).}

_{The artists and their respective labels are donating all proceeds from the collaboration version of “Blue On Black” to the GARY SINISE FOUNDATION which honors America’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.}

_{Graham Bonnet makes a welcome return to Belfast on 25th September 2019; this time as part of iconic band Alcatrazz. The band features original Alcatrazz members Graham Bonnet & Jimmy Waldo, new guitarist, the incredible Joe Stump and Graham’s band mates from the Graham Bonnet Band: Beth-Ami Heavenstone & Mark Benquechea. They perform in Limelight on 25th September and tickets are on sale now.}

_{Danish melodic metal band Meridian released their third album, “Margin of Error”, via Mighty Music on 22nd March. This follows the release of the EP “The Fate of Atlantis” a year previously and the four tracks from that EP are included on the new album. Tracks from “The Fate of Atlantis” were included on the Friday NI Rocks Show and on the NI Rocks A-Z Show last year. Additionally, the new track “Second Best” from “Margin of Error” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 15th March, followed by “The Devil Inside Us All” on 5th April.}

_{There are two NI Rocks Shows uploaded each week on Rock Radio NI. These are the playlists for those shows for the month of March – all of which are still available from the On Demand Player. There are tracks by around 150 different artists on the Shows this month. Playlists for February were published previously and these Shows are also available via the On Demand Player – http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/news/rrni-updates/3552-ni-rocks-playlists-for-february-2019.html}

_{“Face The Music” is the excellent fourth album from Burning Rain and it was released on 22nd March by Frontiers Music. The band was formed by guitarist Doug Aldrich and singer Keith St John in 1998. When I interviewed Doug Aldrich last October we discussed the upcoming album and his desire to promote the release – he and Keith are doing a short tour together in the UK at the moment. I’ve played a few tracks from the album on the Friday NI Rocks Show – “Midnight Train” on 11th January and 8th February, “If It’s Love” on 8th March and “Face The Music” on 22nd March.}

_{German power metal band Iron Savior released their tenth studio album, “Kill or Get Killed” on 15th March via AFM Records. The band’s album have always had a focus on science fiction story telling and the new album is no exception; although there is a new theme this time around. Over the years there has been a number of line-up changes but singer/guitarist/producer and founding member Piet Sielck has remained constant throughout. The track “Stand Up and Fight” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 15th March.}

_{The number of rock and metal sub-genres that exist really is quite astounding, but I must admit that ‘nerd metal’ is a new one for me! That is how Italian band SkeleToon describe their music however! “They Never Say Die” is the band’s third album and it was released on 8th March via Scarlet Records. Skeletoon are a power metal tribute to the cult movie ‘The Goonies’. The album’s title track was featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 15th March and the track “To Leave A Land” is included on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 2nd April.}

_{“Reflections” is the second album to be released by German band DeVicious in less than eight months. It was released via Metalapolis Records on 1st March. I’d posted a recommendation for the debut album “Never Say Never” and the second album certainly merits another post. The track “Long Way Home” was featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 22nd February.}

_{“Force of Life” is the third album from Danish band Statement and it was released on 1st March via Mighty Music. The hard rockers completed a European tour with Diamond Head last year and then did a UK tour with English band Gin Annie earlier this year. The first single from the album was “I Wonder Why” which was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show last November. The track “The Hero Inside” was included on the Show on the 15th March.}

_{“This Time” is the new album from Rock Goddess and it was released on 1st March on their own label Bite You To Death Records. The album release follows the release of an EP in 2017 which was the first new music from the band in thirty years. I was a big fan of the band back in the 80’s and some of their early tracks were included on the first Friday NI Rocks Shows back in 2010. Their 2017 EP “It’s More Than Rock n Roll” also got quite a bit of airplay and so far two tracks from the new album have featured on the Show – “Are You Ready” on the 1st February and “Why Do We Never Learn” on 15th March. Another track, “Calling To Space” was featured on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 12th February.}