“Higher and Higher” is the debut album from a melodic hard rock band called Heartwind that formed in Sweden around 2016 and features former members of bands such as Constancia, The Poodles and Narnia. The two founding members had been friends for over fifteen years before they started writing the tracks for this album and recruiting musicians to make it a reality. “Higher and Higher” was released on 27th April through the AOR Heaven label. The track “Through The Light” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 13th April.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Higher and Higher" by HEARTWIND
“A Funeral for the World” is the debut album from New York band Sanhedrin. It was originally self-released by the band during 2017, but Sanhedrin have now been signed to Cruz Del Sur Music and the album was released by the label on 27th April. I included the album’s opening track “Riding on the Dawn” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 4th May.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "A Funeral for the World" by SANHEDRIN
German band Frontline formed in 1989 and released a few albums between 1994 and 2006. Two of those albums from the 90’s are now being re-released by the AOR Heaven label. The debut album “The State of Rock” was re-released on 27th April along with some bonus tracks, whilst the third album “Heroes” which was previously only released in Japan is due to be released on 25th May. The track “It’s Not Over” from “The State of Rock” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 11th May.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "The State of Rock" & "Heroes" by FRONTLINE
“Judge Not” is the latest album from NWOBHM legends Blitzkrieg and their first with the Mighty Music label. It was released on 27th April. The band formed in 1980 with singer Brian Ross being the only original member remaining. Ironically, whilst considered an iconic band of the NWOBHM era and revered by bands such as Metallica; Blitzkrieg have been much more productive musically over the past 16 years than they were in the 80’s or 90’s. The track “Forever Is A Long Time” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 11th May and “Falling Into Darkness” is on the Show on 18th May.