An uplifting journey through Marc Hudson’s universe of Power Metal, anime influences, Japanese music and video game soundtracks, the DragonForce vocalist/guitarist releases his innovative first solo full-length, 'Starbound Stories', on Friday 25th August via Napalm Records, of which his second solo single, the energetic 'The Siren', is today's Video Of The Day. Led by a tingling, uplifting melody and ballad-like vocals, the anime-influences that have heavily inspired his ten-track debut, are clearly present in the soundscapes of this single, as the story-like lyrics enchant the listener, accompanied by a video that takes the magical atmosphere of the song to the next level.

Following an incredible set at this year’s Download festival, and ahead of their upcoming ‘Memorial’ European tour, which will kick off in September, that includes their only UK date at London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Friday 13th October, Hard rockers Soen have recently unleashed the title track and today's Video Of The Day from their new ten-track album, 'Memorial', which is set for release on Friday 1st September via Silver Lining Music. A meeting of melodic magnitude with face-crushingly heavy guitars and driving rhythms, the new single has a ferocious groove, underlying the weighty subject of war and evocative vocals of Joel Ekelöf.

Today's WRC Bulletin not only looks forward to a number of August gigs/festivals at https://www.wrinklyrockersclub.com/gig-calendar-wrinklystock that includes today's six of the best 'August Rocks!' Tracks Of The Week, featuring Connor Selby, Band Of Friends, The Zombies, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (pictured), Blue Oyster Cult and Wilco, but we also look back at July, and yet another busy month of gig reviews/photo galleries including Porcupine Tree (Video Of The Day), Billy F Gibbons, Danielle Nicole Band, Bruce Springsteen, Molly Hatchet (Chislehurst & London), Iron Maiden, Voodoo Room, The Damn Truth, The Dirt Road Band, Jessica Lynn (London & Southampton) and Maid Of Stone Festival (Days 1, 2 & 3), not forgetting our usual comprehensive July news coverage. Finally, don't forget that if you want to receive our monthly e-mail bulletin, please submit your e-mail address in the box below.

"The palpable energy of the front man, Lee Vernon, with his gruff vocal style and deft Blues-harp playing is perfectly accompanied by the metronymic insistence of the drummer, Chris Thatcher, ably assisted on bass by Andy Paris: This isn’t just Prog, this is Krautrock rolled into one, and suitably alters the collective state of mind of the audience." That was part of our take last year on 2022 WRC Best Prog nominees Pearl Handled Revolver at A Sunday in September at Balham's The Bedford (see Video Of The Day), and the band return for another excellent London Prog Gigs promotion at Camden's Fiddler's Elbow next Thursday 3rd August with support from Viper Soup Complex.

During his recent Westival Sunday appearance at Aldershot's West End Centre, former European Blues Awards Best Solo/Acoustic finalist, Bluesman Mike Francis, received his 2022 Best Unplugged Act Award from Adam Buttery on behalf of the WRC (photo: Steve Excell), in recognition of his set at London's The 100 Club in May last year, touring the UK as special guest to Big Boy Bloater (Video Of The Day). Currently working on his very own brand of New Era Blues material for release later in 2023, after 45 years on the road, it was Mike's very first time on that iconic Oxford Street stage. Mike added that he was really really grateful to all those who voted for him making this possible.

Following Jessica Lynn's recent successful seven-show UK headline tour, not only do we have today both Simon Green's take and awesome photos from her penultimate gig at Southampton's Suburbia on Tuesday 11th July, but we also have the Country-crossover rising star's 'Ain't Done With You Yet' Video Of The Day, filmed the following night at London's The Lexington.

Our Podcast Of The Week is Beastie's Blues Club, originally broadcast live on www.voodooradio.online straight after Beastie's Rock Show, and this ninety minute slice of the best in Blues, Rhythm and Blues and Music touched by the Blues, features Boo Boo Davis, Selwyn Birchwood, Bad Temper Joe, Steve Cropper, Deuce 'n a Quarter, The Cinelli Brothers (pictured) and more.

A bit earlier than usual, because of a well-earned break from Wrinkly Towers, today we look forward to a number of August gigs/festivals at https://www.wrinklyrockersclub.com/gig-calendar-wrinklystock that includes today's six of the best 'August Rocks!' Tracks Of The Day, featuring Connor Selby, Band Of Friends, The Zombies, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse, Blue Oyster Cult and Wilco.

Featuring legendary Rhythm'n' Blues band Dr. Feelgood (Video Of The Day) tonight, and set in the picturesque Newton Cross Country Course in Nottinghamshire, primarily raising funds for good causes, Deerstock kicks off today, a wonderfully small but beautiful family music festival weekend, organised by a group of volunteer festival-goers for festivals goers, with three stages, a craft tent, children’s activities, workshops, a well-stocked bar, and an excellent selection of food stalls.

The 2022 WRC Award winning A New Day Festival returns next month over the weekend of 18th to 20th August, to Mt Ephraim Gardens, Faversham, with a wide selection of tickets (weekend, day and camping) still available to purchase here www.anewdayfestival.com and today's six of the best 'A New Day Rocks!' Tracks Of The Day includes some of the many great bands taking part, namely, Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons, Thunderstick, Gypsy Pistoleros, Slim Chance, Troy Redfern and The Zombies.

With another Rock Revival show due to be broadcast tonight at 8pm UK time on Meridian FM, last week's show #12 is today's Podcast Of The Day, that saw WRC Award winning Jules and Bob with a playlist that included Sons of Liberty (pictured), The Dust Coda, Dirty Honey, Scorpions, Blindstone, Blacktop Mojo, Judas Priest, The New Roses, The Hot One Two, Dirty Thrills, Iron Maiden, Robert Jon & The Wreck. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bison Hip, The Cruel Knives, Shinedown, Stonetrip, Those Damn Crows, Whitesnake, Sergeant Steel, Bad Touch, Trident Waters, The Kendall Connection and Black Stone Cherry.

Ahead of Bywater Call’s first-ever headline tour of the UK in October 2023, and following their highly anticipated sophomore album, 'Remain', released in September last year, Bywater Call’s new single, 'Sweet Maria', is not only a totally brand-new recording which has never appeared on any Bywater Call album before, but it's the first self-produced, house-mixed and independently released song from the rising Canadian Roots Rock band, of which this joyous New Orleans Blues and Southern Soul anthem is also one of today's six of the best 'Thursday Rocks!' Tracks Of The Day, complemented by five further recent and forthcoming releases from Grand Elder, Lorna James, Stonetrip, debdepan and Domkraft.