“Hands on the Wheel” is the sixth studio album from German band Hartmann and it was released on 18th May via Sonic 11 Records / Pride and Joy Records. The band is fronted by Oliver Hartmann, the singer, guitarist and song-writer who has worked with many bands over the past 20 years, including Avantasia, Edguy, Freedom Call and Rock Meets Classic. The album includes 12 great melodic hard rock tracks with plenty of opportunity for Hartmann to showcase his guitar skills. The track “Simple Man”, that features Eric Martin from Mr Big on vocals, was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 11th May.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Hands On The Wheel" by HARTMANN
“Decadence Deluxe” is the fifth album from Greek metal band Crystal Tears and it was released on 18th May via Pride & Joy Music. The band formed back in 1997 and has been releasing a new album every four since 2002. “Decadence Deluxe” includes a cover of the Judas Priest track “Heart of a Lion” and also two bonus live tracks that feature Alice Cooper guitarist Ryan Roxie*. The track “Bleeding Me” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 25th May.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Decadence Deluxe" by CRYSTAL TEARS
“Evolve” is the debut album from Australian female fronted band Lillye and it was released on 18th May via Eclipse Records. The band is fronted by Virginia Lillye, a former performer in musicals such as Cats and Grease around Europe, who then returned to Australia to start a rock band. After releasing an EP in 2014 the band toured and performed on a regular basis, including shows for the troops based in the Middle East, before starting work on their debut album. I played the track “In The End” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 11th May.
“Icons of the New Days” is the third album from Lords of Black and it was released via Frontiers Music on 11th May. The band has developed a wide support base since its foundation in 2014 not due only to the quality of the music, but as a result of lead singer Ronnie Romero being chosen by Richie Blackmore to front Rainbow. The release of this third album will only serve to enhance that following. I played the track “Icons of the New Days” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 16th March, “World Gone Mad” on 13th April and “When A Hero Takes A Fall” on 18th May.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Icons of the New Days" by LORDS OF BLACK