_{“Rise” is the second album from Two of a Kind, a melodic rock band featuring two female lead vocalists and members of the group Terra Nova. The album was released on 13th July by Frontiers, more than ten years after the release of the band’s self-titled debut. I included the track “Touch The Roof” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 20th July.}

_{“The Ghost Light” is the third album from English band THEIA and it was released on 13th July by WDFD Records. The band have been touring around England and playing the UK festival circuit for a few years but I didn’t know much about them or have any of their previous releases until “The Ghost Light” appeared in my inbox. It only took a quick listen to know that I was going to like this band! The track “Throw Me A Bone” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 13th July.}

_{Rock legend Graham Bonnet returns with a new album called “Meanwhile, Back In the Garage” which was released by Frontiers Music on 13th July. The Graham Bonnet Band are supporting the album release with a tour that sees them return to The Limelight in Belfast on 17th August. This album follows on from the release of “The Book” in 2016 which featured the first new Graham Bonnet tracks in some time, along with re-recordings of some his classics. The title track from “Meanwhile, Back In the Garage” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 18th May and on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 5th June. The Friday NI Rocks Show also featured “Sea of Trees” on 6th July and “Past Lives” on 27th July.}

_{“Set The World On Fire” is the first album from a renewed partnership between singer Johnny Gioeli and drummer / singer Deen Castronovo, aka Gioeli-Castronovo. They may not get any prizes for band names, but they do deliver a great rock album, with both sharing the role of lead vocalist! The two first worked together in the initial Hardline line-up back in 1991/92 when the album “Double Eclipse” was released. They went their own ways following the initial demise of Hardline in 1992, but 25 years later have been reunited by Frontiers Muisc who released “Set The World On Fire” on 13th July. So far I’ve played three tracks from the album on the Shows on Rock Radio NI – “Through” on the A-Z Show on 29th May and the title track and “It’s All About You” on the Friday NI Rocks Shows on 6th July and 27th July respectively.}

_{Destinia is the band formed by Japanese guitarist Nozomu Wakai and “Metal Souls” is the third release from that band. This album differs from the previous two as it features a line-up of highly renowned, international artists alongside Wakai. Those musicians are Rainbow / Lords of Black singer Ronnie Romero, bass player Marco Mendoza from The Dead Daisies and drum legend Tommy Aldridge. The album was released on 13th July by Frontiers Music. I’ve played three tracks on the Friday NI Rocks Show so far - “Metal Soul” on 18th May, “The End of Love” on 6th July and “Promised Land” on 27th July.}

_{“Instructions To Dominate” is the second album from Greek metal band Null’o’zero and it was released on 13th July by ROAR! (Rock Of Angels Records). The band delivers a heavy-hitting metal album with powerful vocals and big, soaring guitar riffs; whilst keeping it “melodic” enough to appeal to a wider audience. The track “My Last Disguise” will be included on The Friday NI Rocks Show this week (27th July).}

_{“II: Sojourn” is the second album from English rock band Wytch Hazel and it was released by Bad Omen Records on 13th July. The band was founded in 2011 and there was a clear vision of combining NWOBHM influences with an interest in medieval studies. That is reflected in their image as well. The track “Save My Life” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 13th July.}

_{“Aesthetic Illusion” is the debut album from The Loudest Silence, the symphonic metal band from Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was released on 7th July via TLS / Spinnup; although there was an earlier release via Nuclear Blast on 1st June. Symphonic metal is one of those genres that can be hit or miss for me personally, but “Aesthetic Illusion” comes out on the ‘hit’ side. The track "The Loudest Silence" will be featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show this week – 20th July.}

_{I posted an interview with American band Shallow Side in January 2017 just after the release of their third EP. The band has now released their debut album called “Origins”, through Thermal Entertainment on 13th July. The album title is actually very appropriate as the album contains nine tracks that have been released previously, along with two acoustic versions. Shallow Side plan to release a studio album of new material later this year. “Crutch” for which a video was released back in 2011 will be included on the Friday NI Rocks Show this week – 20th July.}

_{“Ecstasy” is the sixth studio album from German band Kissin’ Dynamite and it was released on 6th July by Metal Blade Records. The band formed in 2006 and this is their first release since their recent move from AFM to Metal Blade Records. “Ecstasy” is an excellent first outing with their new label. The title track which was released as a single in May features Anna Brunner from Exit Eden on vocals. I included the first single “I’ve Got The Fire” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 25th May and the latest single “You’re Not Alone” on 29th June.}