_{American Idol finalist James Durbin and Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi have been working on a collaboration entitled Maps To The Hollywood Scars.  Their first 5 song EP Volume One was released worldwide via New Ocean Media on 17th February.   It can be purchased on iTunes, Amazon and all digital and streaming outlets. The first single from the EP is the song “Till Death” which will feature on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 24th February.}

_{Burnt Out Wreck is a new band that was formed by former Heavy Pettin drummer Gary Moat in 2016. They released their debut album “Swallow” via TRHRC on 10th February. This is one of those albums that anyone who says they love the “classic rock” sound needs to check out. I was always a big Heavy Pettin fan back in the 80’s - after seeing them support Kiss in Edinburgh, so I didn’t need much encouragement to check out the new album. I played the single “Swallow” on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 6th January and the self titled track “Burnt Out Wreck” on the Show on 27th January.}

_{Writing an album recommendation for the latest Black Star Riders album seems a bit absurd and probably a bit pointless. “Heavy Fire” which was released on 3rd February via Nuclear Blast Entertainment ended up at number 6 in the UK album charts as well as topping the rock charts and hitting number 3 in the vinyl chart. Chances are therefore that most people reading this will already have a copy of the album! But just in case...here we are!!}