This is what’s going on across the month of May with albums and festivals!
Albums
Church of the Scream, ScreaMachine – Italian riff masters ScreaMachine have announced their second studio album “Church of the Scream” on 5th May via Frontiers Music Srl! The band hails from Rome and collectively its members are big staples to the metal scene being active musicians since the 90s. They take inspiration from the metal greats such as Judas Priest, Metallica and Accept, but they give it a fresh injection to the heavy metal classic sound. This album is a follow up to their greatly received self titled debut album in 2021. The album contains 10 brand new hymns that showcase the band’s evolved sound while sticking to their roots. Check out the music video for the title track on YouTube and check out their socials to keep up to date with the mass. Genre: Heavy Metal
Get It Right, Heaven’s Edge – Philadelphia hard rockers Heaven’s Edge are excited to announce their first album in 25 years! “Get It Right” is the follow up to (what is considered) the band’s second album, “Some Other Place, Some Other Time”. The original band members Reggie Wu (guitars, keyboards), Mark Evans (vocals), David Rath (drums), and Steven Parry (guitars) are joined by newest member, bassist Jaron Gulino (Tantric, Mach 22). Jaron joined the band after the tragic passing of their original bassist George G.G. Guidott. The band started in 1987 but not long after the release of their debut album, they fell victim (like a lot of bands at the time) to the big shift in musical tastes and it got too much, they went quiet in 1993. They released the so called second album in 1998 and then over the next 20 years did a benefit gig here and there. Now they are back in full force with 10 amazing tracks and it is released on 12th May, if you want a vinyl copy of this brilliant album you have to wait until 4th August. Genre: Hard Rock
Lost Behind the Mask, Circus of Rock – Following on from the huge success of their debut album, “Come One, Come All”, back in August 2021, Finland’s Circus of Rock are back with a second helping. “Lost Behind the Mask” is hitting streaming platforms and the online stores from 12th May. Circus of Rock is a project masterminded by drummer, Mirka Rantanen (King Company) but just like the previous album, he is not alone. The album has stunning contributions from amazing artists such as Lordi, Pink Cream 69, Uriah Heep, Girish And The Chronicles, Sons Of Apollo, Ring Of Fire, and plenty more! You can pre-order the album by hitting this link! Genre: Hard Rock
Hellriot, Mystic Prophecy – German power metallers Mystic Prophecy return with their new album ‘Hellriot’ that will be released on 19th May. It will be released as a jewel case CD, limited mediabook CD, various vinyl colours and picture discs and on streaming outlets. Not only that Mystic Prophecy are releasing a limited number (666 copies to be exact) collector’s hardcover boxset that includes: the limited mediabook CD, velvet bag, all in one flatware/multitool, raincoat, and signed autograph. The band started in 2000 in the market town of Bad Grönenbach. The band have released 11 albums and this will be the second album released under the ROAR, Rock of Angels record label, who are based in Greece. Check out the music video for the title track below! Mystic Prophecy are also going on tour to support the release of the album around Europe, hit the link to check out tour dates and tickets. Genre: Power Metal
This is Fire, Crostpaths – Keeping the genre alive and kicking, Nu-Metal boys Crostpaths are releasing their EP “This is Fire” on 26th May. Hailing from Kent, UK, frontman Ritchie and vocalist/bassist Owain became frustrated with their previous music project in 2019. Ritchie and Owain crossed paths with equally frustrated musicians James (drummer/percussionist) and Michael (guitarist) via a mutual friend Erim (producer/keyboardist). They turned their collective frustrations into a new project which became Crostpaths. The guys have grown and have gone from strength to strength with their tracks being played on Kerrang Radio, Total Rock and BBC Introducing to name a few. This will be the band’s 4th EP and they show no signs of slowing down, Crostpaths have a headline show at Camden’s Black Heart followed by exclusive appearances at Breaking Bands Festival & Hammerdown Festival. You can listen to their latest singles “I am the Liquor” and “Echolalia” now! Genre: Nu-Metal
Festivals
Wildfest, Belgium – Belgium’s only festival dedicated to Sleaze, Glam and Melodic Rock has a stellar line up this year with the magnificent Ted Poley (Danger Danger) and Eclipse headlining the 2-day festival in Geraardsbergen! You are spoilt with Chez Kane, Confess, Black Rain and UK’s very own South of Salem taking to the stage! It’s one hell of a festival and if you can get there, be there! The festival has been running since 2016 and keeps going from strength to strength year after year! You can find all information on their website andif you fancy a ticket, hit this link. Date: Friday 19th May to Saturday 20th May
Doomsday Festival, Brighton – Held in the heart of Brighton a two day festival celebrating some of the best of metal! It blends black, death and doom metal to give you 11 amazing bands to blacken your soul. Full weekend tickets start from just £30! Head over to their Facebook page for the day split and the stage times! Date: Friday 26th May to Saturday 27th May
Call of the Wild Festival, Lincolnshire Showground – A three day festival with three stages just outside of the historical city of Lincoln. Call of the Wild is celebrating its fourth year with some of the biggest bands in the UK right now but also has bands from the USA and Scandinavia! They have Glamping Bell Tents, after show parties, a VIP beer garden, great traders, Richie the Raptor and so much more! This year you are definitely spoilt for choice, Kickin Valentina, Shiraz Lane, Terrorvision, King Kraken, Fury, Troy Redfern and so much more. Call of the Wild was shortlisted for Best New Festival at UK Festival Awards 2019 and Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2022! WARNING, there is low ticket sales so if you want to be a part of one of the best independent festivals in the UK, check it out now! For £140, three days, over 40 bands, you’d be insane to miss it! Get tickets now! Date: Friday 26th May to Sunday 28th May
There is so much more coming out and going on this month that I just can’t fit it all in! Check out everything, attend everything, let’s keep rock alive! Make sure you tune into my radio shows every week! “The HRH AOR Show” Tuesdays 1pm-3pm gmt on hardrockhellradio.com and “Whole Lotta Noize” Thursdays 11pm – 12am gmt on scotlandrocksradio.com. See you there GlamRatters!
GlamRat 