_{“Enigma Fire” is the second album from German symphonic metal band Visionatica and it was released on 12th July by Frontiers Music. The female fronted band formed in Bavaria in 2013 and released their debut album in 2016 before signing with Frontiers. I played the first single from the album, “The Pharoah”, on the Friday NI Rocks Show back in April and the second single “Fear” on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 16th July.}

_{I’ve been a fan of Canadian band Kobra and the Lotus for quite a few years so it’s great to see details being released about their next album. “Evolution” is due for release on 20th September by Napalm Records. The album will be the band’s sixth studio album since their formation in 2009. It follows the release by Napalm Records of “Prevail I” in 2017 and “Prevail II” in 2018.}

_{I did an e-mail interview with lead singer Kobra Paige in January 2013 and she was my guest on the Friday NI Rocks Show in August 2017 following the release of “Prevail I”. The latter interview can be found here – http://www.rockradioni.co.uk/interviews/3178-ni-rocks-interview-with-kobra-paige-from-kobra-and-the-lotus.html}

_{The Napalm Records press release can be read here -}

_{“The Great Escape” is the debut album from Irish band Jailbirds and it was released on 5th July by Golden Robot Records. Although based in Dublin, the band was actually formed by two Australians who had ended up living there. Jailbirds released an EP in 2017 and have secured some great support slots over the last couple of years. The track “Nothing Good Lasts Forever” opened the Friday NI Rocks Show on 14th June and “Thrill of the Chase” is on the Show on 26th July.}