"Still, it is a ridiculously long time between albums. The good news is that it’s a scorcher. This is Classic, Melodic Rock music built on quality song writing (sounds simple but isn’t) and features really nice guitar work, which is I suppose what you might expect, but nevertheless it’s worth noting that the playing is excellent throughout. It’s equally worth commenting that JK is no slouch on the vocal front either.” Today read the second of our Lockdown #2 album reviews, as Simon Green gives you his take here on Jim Kirkpatrick's new CD, 'Ballad Of a Prodigal Son', that was released in early September and includes today's Video Of The Day, 'Gravy Train'.

Tuesday 1st December cues the release, on all streaming and download services, of UK Progressive Rock band Circu5's new single, 'Skin Machine', ahead of the follow-up to their self-titled 2017 debut album. It also marks the first recorded outing of the band's new line- up, which, alongside frontman Steve Tilling, now also features Paul Clark (guitar, ex-David Cross Band), Mark Kilminster (bass, ex-Tin Spirits) and Lee Moulding (drums, ex-Rewire the Time Machine). Both the new single and album continues the story of Grady: a test-tube-conceived psychopath on the run from the state.

Today's latest Blues On The Radio Track Of The Day has music from Elles Bailey, Grainne Duffy, Lloyd Jones, Joe Bonamassa (pictured), When Rivers Meet, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Miss Emily, Connor Selby, James Oliver, Alastair Greene, Catfish, 400 Bears, Shaun Murphy and Shemekia Copeland.

Today's Video Of The Day is Larry Pink The Human's brand new single, ‘Wasted Days (Inbetweens)', which features guest vocals from Idles’ frontman Joe Talbot. It's a pensive synth infused track about embracing the joys and simple things in life, that comes armed with a huge emotive chorus. Consisting of Slaves guitarist Laurie Vincent, who takes the role of lyricist and frontman, plus songwriter and performer Jolyon Thomas, whose work as a producer includes such artists as Kendrick Lamar, U2 and Royal Blood, it's the latest in a string of hugely successful singles since their emergence this year.

Hard Rock Hell have, reluctantly, rescheduled the extremely popular HRH Vikings III festival to December 2021, due to the continued Covid-19 restrictions, although the line-up remains almost intact with the incredible Korpiklaani and Audn replacing Borknagar and Saor respectively. In addition, one of the true highlights of the HRH calendar, welcomes back the amazing Atorc by popular demand plus Battle Born, Eoten and Accursed Years. They all join Ensiferum, Burning Witches, Thyrfing, Warkings, Metsatoll, Skyforger, Grimner, Konvent, Vanaheim, Gwydion, Kull, Wretched Soul, Valafar and Metal Castle at the O2 Academy in Sheffield over the weekend of 4th and 5th December.

Modern Rock 3-piece Firekind self-released their ‘What I Have Found Is Already Lost’ Deluxe Edition on Friday 30th October, of which their latest, brooding, yet yearning single, ‘If There’s Any Reason', is today's Track Of The Day - a self made video shot in a rundown Los Angeles warehouse whilst recording the album. Fusing epic, soaring vocal and guitar melodies with driving, powerful drums and bass, the Devon based band consists of brothers Jas Morris (vocals and previous Guitarist Magazine Guitarist of the Year winner), Dan Morris (bass, keys) and Robin Shute (drums), although original drummer and close friend of the band, Dan Collings played on the album. With Hard Rock and Prog roots spiced with an arena sound blent in, it’s hard to pigeon hole them which bodes to a myriad of Rock tastes. This is a theme throughout, augmented by the acoustic bonus tracks which were recorded and produced by Jas and Dan in their home studio during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Welsh multi-instrumentalist The Anchoress (aka Catherine Anne Davies) will release her second album, ‘The Art of Losing’, via Kscope next year on Friday 5th March, and the album's first single, ‘Show Your Face’, is today's Video Of The Day. A Depeche Mode flavoured retort to toxic masculinity that features guitar from Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield (who also sings a duet on the album) and drums from Sterling Campbell (David Bowie, Duran Duran), the new single weaves its dark synth magic following up on her sonically audacious debut, ‘Confessions of A Romance Novelist’. Indeed, her debut was named amongst the Guardian critics’ Albums of the Year, nominated for the Welsh Music Prize, named HMV’s Welsh Album of the Year and won Best Newcomer at the PROG awards! Next year, The Anchoress will also be performing her new material at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall on Saturday 10th July.

With the unbelievable goings on during the current American Presidential election, it's also apt to listen carefully and enjoy today's Track Of The Day - an amazing synchronised photo compilation of the meaning of Don McLean's classic, 'American Pie'. Released in 1971, and dedicated to the name of the plane in which Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper were killed when it crashed in 1958, the video is historically poignant for us all, young and old.

Today's Remembrance Sunday Video Of The Day, is the apt, 'The Ghost of Cameron Crowe', the new single by Jackson Hewitt, memorably recalling the thump thump thump of a piston engine flying low across the plains. Originally consisting of singer/guitarist Ian Hewitt, bass guitarist Jay Brown, guitarist Mark Fleetwood and drums William Basford/Cohen Hale, it's the UK Rock band's first piece of music since the success of their extraordinary self-released album, 'Darwinism'.

Comprising of Willie Dowling and Jon Poole, The Dowling Poole's latest song, 'We Are The Noise', is now available here exclusively on BandCamp and it’s absolutely free, no strings attached. The track was recorded in multiple locations during lockdown and features long-time collaborator and Sugar Plum Fairies/Jackdaw 4/The Dowling Poole band member, Andy Lewis playing bass. Guest drummer on ‘We Are The Noise’ is the extraordinary Darby Todd, who has played with countless artists including Larry Miller, Gary Moore and The Darkness - and some of you may remember Darby from his days playing with Willie and Andy in Sugar Plum Fairies. The band was formed in 2014, and have released two albums, 'Bleak Strategies' and 'One Hyde Park' to great critical acclaim.

Former Uriah Heep vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Ken Hensley, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, following a very short illness. Hensley was one of the most important musicians of the past half-a-century - his work with Uriah Heep in the 1970's helped to make the band hugely influential. He also collaborated with bands such as Blackfoot, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella, as well as building a very successful solo career. As a writer he was responsible for such classics as 'Lady In Black', 'Easy Livin', 'July Morning' and 'Look At Yourself'. A very spiritual person, Hensley became an inspiration to many and was known for encouraging talented artists. Ken had recently finished work on a new project, 'My Book of Answers', which is due for release at the end of February next year. Our deepest sympathies go to Ken's family, friends and his many musical associates at this time.

Last Thursday, Sheffield rockers Black Spiders released their new single, and today's Video Of The Day, ‘Fly in the Soup’, but be warned, it features an abundance of flies, but no soup! Yes, those trusted and true sons of the North are back, with their first new music in over six years, who have reformed in lockdown and written and recorded a whole new album to be released early next year! In the vein of their biggest hit 'Kiss Tried to Kill me' - the new song ‘Fly in the Soup' is not only a stadium filler waiting to happen, but the band now also include new drummer, Wyatt Wendels of Planet Rock presenter fame, who the band started working with just as the Coronavirus hit.