_{I wouldn’t say that I’m really a huge fan of ‘Prog Rock’ as a genre, but then again I’m not really much of a fan of labelling bands either. I just like what I like! And I like “The Passage” which is the eighth studio album from Italian band DGM enough to post this recommendation! The album was released on 26th August by Frontiers Music. The first single from the album was “Animal” which was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 24th June and “Ghost of Insanity” is on the Show on 2nd September.}

_{Dutch band Delain released their fifth studio album, entitled “Moonbathers”, via Napalm Records on 26th August. It’s a busy period for the band, whose debut album “Lucidity” is being re-mastered for a 10th anniversary re-release in October and who commence another 5 week European tour on 14th October. That tour sees them playing in The Button Factory in Dublin on 11th November, supported by Evergrey and Kobra and the Lotus. The lead-off single from “Moonbathers” was “Fire With Fire” which was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 22nd July. The Show on 2nd September includes a short interview that Charolotte and Martijn recorded with AC Promotions as well as an excellent cover of the Queen track “Scandal”.}

_{German band Running Wild return with their 16th studio album entitled “Rapid Foray” – released on 26th August through Steamhammer / SPV. I’ve always liked songs that are based on historical events or stories and Rolf Kasparek (aka Rock n Rolf) has a fantastic track record for delivering those conceptual lyrics accompanied by a thundering, instantly infectious soundtrack. I played the album’s opening track “Black Skies, Red Flag” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 19th August.}