_{From the land that brought us Kings of the Sun, we now have King of the North –not Robb Stark or Jon Snow (for the ‘Game of Thrones’ fans), but Andrew Higgs and Steve Tyssen (who recently replaced Danny Leo). Their new album “Get Out of Your World” was released by Rodeostar / SPV on 5th August. Playing the album you’d presume there was a four or five man band behind the great tracks you’re listening to, rather than Higgs singing and playing guitars and Leo playing drums.}

_{Local band Maverick release their second album “Big Red” on 26th August and have just unveiled a video for the first single from that album. “Asylum” features guest appearances from guitarist Kane Roberts and The Poodles lead singer Jakob Samuel. I arranged to have a chat with Maverick’s lead singer David Balfour to talk about the new album and the band. You can hear that interview and four tracks from the new album on the Friday NI Rocks Show that was broadcast on 5th August. The Show is available now via the On Demand Player - http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/hosts/ni-rocks-friday-rock-show.html (the Show uploaded on 3rd Aug).}

_{American band Apollo Under Fire release their self-titled debut album on 12th August after signing with the EMP Management/Label Group which is headed by David Ellefson of Megadeth. Reading the press release that came from our friends at Rock n Growl Promotions it was clear that this was going to be an album that drew a great deal from the band’s spirituality and soul. Listening to the album what strikes me though are the strong lyrics and some really powerful guitar riffs. I played the track “Gotta Believe” on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 26th June.}