_{“Face The Music” is the excellent fourth album from Burning Rain and it was released on 22nd March by Frontiers Music. The band was formed by guitarist Doug Aldrich and singer Keith St John in 1998. When I interviewed Doug Aldrich last October we discussed the upcoming album and his desire to promote the release – he and Keith are doing a short tour together in the UK at the moment. I’ve played a few tracks from the album on the Friday NI Rocks Show – “Midnight Train” on 11th January and 8th February, “If It’s Love” on 8th March and “Face The Music” on 22nd March.}

_{German power metal band Iron Savior released their tenth studio album, “Kill or Get Killed” on 15th March via AFM Records. The band’s album have always had a focus on science fiction story telling and the new album is no exception; although there is a new theme this time around. Over the years there has been a number of line-up changes but singer/guitarist/producer and founding member Piet Sielck has remained constant throughout. The track “Stand Up and Fight” was included on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 15th March.}

_{The number of rock and metal sub-genres that exist really is quite astounding, but I must admit that ‘nerd metal’ is a new one for me! That is how Italian band SkeleToon describe their music however! “They Never Say Die” is the band’s third album and it was released on 8th March via Scarlet Records. Skeletoon are a power metal tribute to the cult movie ‘The Goonies’. The album’s title track was featured on the Friday NI Rocks Show on 15th March and the track “To Leave A Land” is included on the NI Rocks A-Z Show on 2nd April.}