British rockers Absolva released a double album called “Defiance” through Rocksector Records on 28th July. The album features 12 new tracks on one disc and a bonus disc that has a mix of live tracks and acoustic versions of older tracks as well as the recent single “Harsh Reality”. Absolva released their first album in 2012 and “Defiance” is their fourth studio album – you’ll find recommendations for all four on the Rock Radio NI website. I played the track “Life on the Edge” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 16th June and “Defiance” on 28th July.
Legendary rock band Mr Big released their ninth studio album via Frontiers Music on 21st July. The album entitled “Defying Gravity” is the third from Mr Big since they reformed in 2009 and features all four original members of the band that formed almost 30 years ago. A number of tracks were released ahead of the album coming out on the 21st July. “1992” featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 26th May and again on 7th July whilst the title track “Defying Gravity” was on the Show on 21st July.
Nancy Wilson, guitar goddess and one of the founding members of the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Heart, has teamed up with former Prince’s New Power Generation band member and R&B singer Liv Warfield to form the soulful, rock super group, Roadcase Royale. The band releases the album “First Things First” through Loud & Proud Records on 22nd September.
Read more: NEWS UPDATE - ROADCASE ROYALE Featuring NANCY WILSON To Release Album in September
This week two of our favourite bands announced that they’d be releasing covers of some classic Blues tracks. The Quireboys release of an EP and album was detailed in an earlier article. The other release comes from regular Belfast visitors and one of Kentucky’s best exports – Black Stone Cherry. The 6-track EP “Black to Blues” will be released on 29th September 29 and be available on CD or blue vinyl.
Read more: NEWS UPDATE - BLACK STONE CHERRY Release Blues EP in September