_{“City of Heroes” is the second album from a collaboration between vocalists Michael Kiske and Amanda Somerville. The former is probably best known as the former singer in Helloween and current Unisonic frontman. Somerville is from Michigan in the USA but has been based in Europe for many years, working mainly with symphonic metal bands as a singer or vocal coach. She has performed or recorded with bands such as Epica, Kamelot and Avantasia. The first, self-titled Kiske / Somerville album was released in 2010 and the follow-up “City of Heroes” is released, again through Frontiers Records, on 17th April.}

_{“Venom” is the latest album from Californian band Impellitteri and it is released through Frontiers Records in the UK on the 17th April. The band has been releasing albums since the 80s and is of course centred around guitar virtuoso Chris Impellitteri, who is recognised as one of the fastest shredders around. “Venom” is the band’s tenth full studio album since 1988, but it has been six years since the previous release “Wicked Maiden” in 2009. Reading the press release that accompanied the album, it is clear that Impellitteri wanted to make this recording stand out from the others and expand their listening base. Personally, I think they’ve achieved that goal.}