A regular recap highlighting some of my favourite album releases each month. I don’t do “reviews” – this is simply a few words about the albums that appeal to me and about the artists releasing them. Tracks from these albums will have been featured on the Friday NI Rocks Shows over the past few months. This month we focus on new albums from Sabaton, Heavy Pettin, Mammoth and Ronnie Romero.

SABATON – “Legends” – Better Noise Music 17^th October

“Legends” is the eleventh studio album from Swedish power metal band Sabaton, but their first with Better Noise Music who released in on 17^th October. I’d ordered the Joan of Arc, silver vinyl version of the album. The track “Templars” featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show in April, followed by “The Duelist” in July, “Crossing the Rubicon” in September and “Hordes of Khan” on 17^th Oct.

Sabaton formed in 1999 and have become synonymous with power metal epics that focus on historical events or people. Their first studio album was releases in 2005 and the first of four live albums in 2011. They’ve also released some EPs and video albums.

Vocalist Joakim Brodén and bass player Pär Sundström have been with the band since it formed. They are joined by guitarists Chris Rörland and Thobbe Englund and drummer Hannes Van Dahl.

Website - https://www.sabaton.net/

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HEAVY PETTIN – “Rock Generation” – Silver Lining 24^th October

Scottish 80’s rockers Heavy Pettin return with their first album release in over 35 years. “Rock Generation” was released through Silver Lining Music on 24^th October. The title track was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 10^th Oct and “Faith Healer (Kill My Demons)” on 24^th Oct. I bought the album on red vinyl.

Heavy Pettin formed in 1981 and released “Lettin Loose” in 1983 – the same year that I became a huge fan after seeing them open for Kiss in Edinburgh. Two further albums followed – “Rock Ain’t Dead” in 1985 and “Big Bang” in 1989 before the band split. They reformed in 2017 and released an EP called “4 Play” in 2020.

Vocalist Stephen ‘Hamie’ Hayman is actually the only member of the band this time around. He is joined by guitarists Dave Aitken and Richie Dews, drummer Mick Ivory and bass player David Boyce.

Website - https://heavypettin-official.com/

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MAMMOTH – “The End” – BMG 24^th October

“The End” is the third album from Wolfgang Van Halen’s band Mammoth – previously known as Mammoth WVH. It was released on 24^th October by BMG. There was a special promo feature on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 17^th October, with Wolfgang Van Halen talking about the album, along with the tracks “The End”, “The Spell” and “I Really Wanna”. All three tracks had appeared on the Show previously – in May, July and September respectively. I had pre-ordered the orange and yellow vinyl version which came with a signed insert.

Wolfgang Van Halen wrote all the songs on the album and plays all of the instruments as well as providing vocals. The self-titled Mammoth WVH album was released in 2021, followed by “Mammoth II” in 2023.

Website - https://mammoth.band/

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RONNIE ROMERO – “Backbone” – Frontiers 24^th Oct

“Backbone” is the latest solo album from vocalist Ronnie Romero and it was released by Frontiers Music on 24^th October. The track “Backbone” featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show in August, followed by “Eternally” on 19^th Sept and “Bring The Rock” on 24^th Oct.

Romero is one of the most talented singers around at the moment and has fronted many bands including Lords of Black, Rainbow, Elegant Weapons, CoreLeoni, Sunstorm and The Ferryman. He has also worked with Vandenberg, Michael Schenker and others.

Website - https://www.ronnieromero.online/