_{When a band waits 35 years to release their debut album it really needs to be worth waiting for. Local rockers No Hot Ashes have definitely ticked that box with the release of their self-titled debut through Frontiers Music on 23rd March. The band had been active between 1983 and 1990 but never got an album released. The decision to reform in 2013, initially for a one-off show, has finally resulted in the release of this album. I’ve been playing a couple of the tracks (“Boulders” and “Glow”) from the album that had been sent to me by the band for over a year now and I can now add more to the playlist. Lead singer Eamon Nancarrow recorded an interview with my colleague Balatty and myself a few weeks ago and you can find this on the Rock Radio NI website – http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/interviews/3318-rrni-interview-with-eamon-nancarrow-from-no-hot-ashes.html . It featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 9th March along with 4 tracks from the album.}

_{“Mind Over Matter” is the latest album from Swiss band Felskinn and it was released by Rock of Angels Records (ROAR) on 16th March. This is the first album released since the band went back to the original name Felskinn, having released the previous album as Download and two earlier albums as Felskinn. The band may not be as well-known as other Swiss rock bands such as Krokus, Gotthard or Shakra, but “Mind Over Matter” is definitely an album you’ll want to check out if you’re a fan of any of those bands. The track “Close Your Eyes” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 2nd March.}

_{Finnish band Shiraz Lane recently released their second album, “Carnival Days” through Frontiers Music. The band features Hannes Kelt on vocals, Jani Laine on lead guitar, Miki Kalske on rhythm guitar, Joel Alex on bass and Ana Willman on drums. I’d posted a recommendation for the band’s first album back in April 2016 and the second album is definitely worth checking out – http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/back-stage/music-reviews/3317-ni-rocks-recommends-qcarnival-daysq-by-shiraz-lane.html . To find out a little more about the band and the album I arranged to get some questions answered via e-mail. My thanks to Ana for taking the time to respond and to Gary for organising things.}