“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.
“Invincible” is the latest album from Australian band Crosson, following on from “Spreading The Rock ‘n’ Roll Disease” in 2016. The new album was released on 27th April by Metalapolis Records. Described as “futuristic theatrical rock warriors” in the press release, there is a bit of a Steel Panther vibe to the album and the band's image, but thankfully (for me anyway) that is outweighed by the 80’s rock influences! The track “Broken” will be included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 18th May.
Canadian band Kobra and the Lotus released the second part of their double album on 27th April. “Prevail II” was released via Napalm Records almost a year after “Prevail I” which came out on 12th May 2017. The albums result from a PledgeMusic campaign for a double album that dates back to 2015 prior to the band signing with Napalm. I’d pledged at that time and also later ordered the vinyl version of “Prevail II” having bought “Prevail I” on vinyl when the band played Belfast for the first time last November. The single “Losing My Humanity” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 9th March, followed by “Let Me Love You” on 30th March then “Velvet Roses” and their cover of “The Chain” on 4th May.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Prevail II" by KOBRA AND THE LOTUS
“Lucifer’s Factory” is the sixth album from local rockers Stormzone and it was released on 23rd April through Metal Nation Records. Each album brings something a little different from the previous one, but you can always be guaranteed that the band will deliver some great metal tunes, and “Lucifer’s Factory” certainly has plenty of those. So far on the Friday NI Rocks Show, I’ve played “Dark Hedges” (13th April), “Lucifer’s Factory” (20th April) and “Cushy Glen” (4th May). Tracks from the album will be a regular feature on the Show.
Read more: NI ROCKS Recommends "Lucifer's Factory" by STORMZONE