_{Chris Bay is the vocalist for German power metal band Freedom Call and on 23rd February he released his first solo album called “Chasing The Sun”, through Steamhammer/SPV. At first listen I wasn’t too sure about many of the songs on the album as they seemed a little “pop” influenced. However, there were also some that I liked instantly, such as “Bad Boyz”, which was included on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 20th February. The more I listened to the album, the more that it grew on me and whilst there are still a few tracks that don’t tick my boxes, they may well do so for other listeners.}

_{Local band No Hot Ashes release their long awaited debut album through Frontiers Music on 23rd March. They’ll be launching the album with a gig in The Limelight in Belfast on Friday 6th April, supported by none other than FM. Myself and Ian Fisher (aka Rock Radio NI’s Balatty) recorded an interview with No Hot Ashes vocalist Eamon Nancarrow on 6th March and chatted about the new album and much more. You can hear that interview on the Friday NI Rocks Show and on Balatty’s Podcast as well.}

_{“Carnival Days” is the excellent second album from Finnish rockers Shiraz Lane and it was released on 23rd February by Frontiers Music. Finland has a long history of producing great rock bands and Shiraz Lane certainly do their bit to keep up those standards. I posted a recommendation for their debut album “For Crying Out Loud” back in April 2016, and if anything the second album is even better. The track “People Like Us” is included on the Friday NI Rocks Show this week.}