Jakko M Jakszyk's enforced sabbatical from King Crimson has given him the opportunity to complete a new solo album, 'Secrets & Lies', due to be released on Friday 23rd October, of which the first single, ‘The Trouble With Angels’, has recently been released, complete with today's extraordinary animated Video Of The Day by Iranian film maker Sam Chegini. 'Secrets & Lies' contains ten songs that balances sensitive writing, musical technique and accessible tunes cast in an impressively cinematic sound world. The result is a mature work brimming with yearning melodies in symphonic or widescreen settings, fluid guitar work, and Jakko’s heartfelt, emotional vocals. Jakszyk is joined by bandmates Robert Fripp, Gavin Harrison, Tony Levin and Mel Collins, as well as appearances from John Giblin (Peter Gabriel), Mark King (Level 42), Peter Hammill (Van der Graff Generator) and noted British comedian Al Murray.

Manchester’s dirty, raucous Rock 'n' Blues mavericks, Gorilla Riot released their latest single and today's Video Of The Day, 'Still Doing Time', at the end of last month, taken from their first full-length album, 'Peach', which was released at the beginning of this year. A 5-piece, they use a 3-prong guitar attack with multi-part vocal harmonies, combining elements of Grunge, Stoner and Country to create a full-on high energy show. Created by mainman, Arjun Bhishma, he surrounded himself with Manchester's finest, namely Liam Henry (guitars & vocals), Charly T. (guitars & vocals), James Degnen (bass) and, more recently, Will Lewis on skins.

The project of Rock veterans singer-songwriter John Merchant and, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Todd Long, Ghosts Of Sunset recently released their first single 'Miles In-Between', on Golden Robot Records, which is today's Track Of The Day, and is also taken from their upcoming EP 'Headed West'. Also featuring Johnny Monaco (Ex Enuff Z’Nuff - lead guitar), Kent Slucher (Luke Bryan – drums) and Brian Roth (keyboards), it's a hark back to the glory days of the 1980’s Hard Rock/Hair Metal scene.

'The Last Viking', due to be released on Friday 23th October, is the latest Symphonic Metal masterpiece from Leaves’ Eyes, following up their cult-albums 'Vinland Saga' (2005) and 'King of Kings' (2015), where they turned Leif Eriksson's discovery of America and the life of Norway’s first King into music! Now, Leaves’ Eyes bring the Viking Sagas to their bombastic finale - its energetic compositions proof of the ingenious skills of song writing duo Thorsten Bauer (guitars) and Alexander Krull (vocals). Again they follow the line that has already garnered a significant worldwide fan base, as all 14 tracks individually impress with their unique build-up, rhythm and atmosphere, featuring mighty drums, Mediaeval instruments, like nyckelharpa and fiddle, and Celtic horns, that add spice to their diversified sound.

'Rocked This Town: From LA To London' is the name of the upcoming live album by The Stray Cats, available Friday 11th September via Surfdog Records and distributed by Mascot Label Group, of which 'Rock It Off' is today's Video Of The Day. This collection of 23 tracks was recorded during the band’s critically acclaimed 40th Anniversary Tour and combines their unparalleled virtuosity and red-hot Rock & Roll spirit, all raw and completely live - the way it was played on sweaty stages around the world! The album was produced by the multi-platinum band’s guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer, upright bass player Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom - original founding members of the iconic American Rock & Roll trio. Indeed, the album’s career-spanning track listing features their greatest hits as well as several brand-new scorchers from last year’s '40', the band’s first new album in 26 years.

Today's latest Blues Club Podcast Track Of The Day is yet another two hours of non stop Best in Blues and beyond with More Music and Less Chat, featuring new releases, classic tracks and UK IBBA Presenters' Picks, including music from Walter Trout, Sugaray Rayford, J.D Taylor, Crooked Eye Tommy, The Allman Betts Band(pictured), Mary Jo Curry Band, Dave Fields, Wily Bo Walker & Danny Flam, Robbie Reay, Kaz Hawkins, Paul Gillings, Sir Rod & The Blues Doctors, Jimmy Regal & The Royals, Fleetwood Mac and many more.

Ace Frehley, Kiss co-founder and 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, continues his reflections on a lifetime in music with the release of ‘Origins Vol. 2’, a thoughtful and exciting collection of new covers, released on Friday 18th September. No stranger to cover versions throughout his entire history – having recorded, rebranded and repossessed such notable nuggets as ‘New York Groove’, ‘Do Ya’ and ‘I Wanna Go Back’ over the course of his 8 studio albums - this new compendium contains songs that have all inspired and shaped the legendary guitarist’s life jukebox. ‘Origins Vol. 2’, also features guest appearances by Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, John 5, Lita Ford and Bruce Kulick, and is is a well thought out, but not over-thought, album!

As lockdown appears to be easing gradually, Saint & Sinners (Fran McGillivray Band + Spikedrivers UK) are playing an open air show tonight at the Court Theatre Blues Bar, Station Road, Tring, Buckinghamshire HP23 5QY from 7.30-9.30pm. To purchase tickets in advance please go here.

aliensdontringdoorbells is the exciting new band that crosses boundaries of geo-locations, genres and more to craft their narrative-style, ‘Story’, released last month, of which the stunning visual for this debut single is today's Video Of The Day. Whilst this band may be keeping their identities relatively under wraps, the song sees this international band take the universal theme of childhood innocence and translate the feeling into a touching and accessible narrative. Indeed, the band cites One Republic, Maroon 5 and Weezer amongst their influences, given their sound is an amalgamation of Pop, Rock, Jazz, Prog and Swing. Proving that Rock ‘n’ Roll is alive and truly kicking, aliensdontringdoorbells are here to stake their claim on the territory which is rightfully theirs!

Emerging from the underground of Montreal comes The Naked High, who unleashed their second EP 'Tap Into The Evil' this past May, of which their first single, 'Jewel of The Crowd', is today's Track Of The Day. Joining forces in the Summer of 2015, connected by a love of similar music ranging from Blues to Rock to Metal, the dauntless quartet brings an electric chemistry to their music, amplified when they are on stage. Indeed the six songs show the evolution of their sound from their 2017 self-titled debut as they push forward into the next chapter of the band and continue to learn from the legends that they admire while forging their own respective path in Rock 'n' Roll. The Naked High consist of Hugo Leclerc-Charron delivering solos on guitar, Simon Ouellet with Iron Maiden-esque vocals, Phil Perreault keeping the low end steady, and Charlie Cayouette backing everything up with his rocking beat!

Seattle’s finest, the Walking Papers, have released their new single, 'What Did You Expect?', which is not only today's Video Of The Day, but is also taken from their much anticipated new album, 'The Light Below', which is due out early 2021 on Carry On Music. 'What Did You Expect?' is penned by principals Jefferson Angell and Benjamin Anderson and represents a continuation of the impactful and artful Rock and Blues sound Walking Papers have developed. Lyrically, Angell challenges anyone who has dug themselves a hole, or who stood in their own way!

Call Of The Wild Festival returns next year to the Lincolnshire Showground, over the extended weekend of 20th to 23rd May, with headliners Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons, Reckless Love and Massive Wagons. Indeed, the organisers have included an additional day, headlined on the Kilmister Stage by Crashdiet, as a big thank you to everyone who has stuck by them through the whole pandemic, and regardless of losing the event for 2020, have retained their tickets and helped support the festival through one of the most challenging times ever known within the music industry. The addition of Thursday is a free day to all who already had tickets for 2020, but no one needs to miss out on this fantastic extra day of bands as there is also now a bolt on option to purchase!