So while HRH Metal III basks in the recent glow of Birmingham’s greatest Metal bash, the team at HRH are running a prize draw for next year’s event – and this is something worth checking out – this isn’t your regular free tickets or even balcony upgrades – this is so much more! HRH are giving away not just two Royalty passes for HRH Metal IV - but the Royalty Hotel to go with them! To win a Royalty Weekend for two at HRH Metal IV – including two nights at the Royalty Hotel - go here now - entries close 11am this morning so don’t hang around! HRH Metal IV will be shattering local windows again at the O2 Academy, Birmingham, over the weekend of 15th and 16th February 2020 – headliners Rhapsody of Fire, Equilibrium and Evil Scarecrow lead the line while Lord of the Lost, Skiltron, Xentrix and Psychostick plus over twenty more bands make the charge to take the home of Metal for the HRH cavalry.

It’s rare to find a 60's legend still on trailblazing form in their eighth decade. 73-year-old guitarist Robin Trower finds himself in a golden late-bloom of creativity. In recent years, his solo output has been championed by both press and public, with the impact of 2014’s ‘Something’s About To Change’, 2016’s ‘Where You Are Going To’ and 2017’s ‘Time & Emotion’ setting up some of his best-attended US dates since he conquered that continent with ‘Bridge Of Sighs’ in the mid-’70s. With ‘Coming Closer To The Day’, due to be released on Friday 22nd March, his songcraft and soulful performances have never sounded more alive – even on an album whose title track acknowledges that life is short and time precious. The calibre of the songwriting on ‘Coming Closer To The Day’ (see today's Video Of The Day) is matched by Trower’s performances, with the bandleader handling all instruments except the drums. His basslines are supple and rhythmic, his vocals growl and and the lead guitar work only adds to his reputation as an all-time-great soloist.

Since Fredrik Bergh and Tomas Olsson toyed around with ideas of founding a new Metal band in 2004, Bloodbound have secured an impressive fan following which increased steadily and significantly since vocalist Patrik J. Selleby joined the band in 2010. Their 2016 release 'War Of Dragons' was their first to achieve impressive chart results in numerous countries, the band played a successful European headlining tour and a big number of festivals. 'Rise Of The Dragon Empire' (today's Track Of The Day), due to be released on Friday 22nd March, is a continuation of the last two albums 'War Of Dragons' and 'Stormborn', but this time a clearer Nordic Folk music influence is mixed in with the typical trademark sound of the band. During the Spring of 2019 Bloodbound will once again head out on a headlining tour that will take them to many countries across Europe, taking label mates Dynazty and Manimal with them as special guests on the "Tour Of The Dragon Empire" – a huge, exciting “Swedish Metal Invasion”.

"Sari announces it’s the last song and intros the band - well done chaps - and gives a shout out to the promoters Gig Cartel for putting the tour together. The song is 'Valetina', another of the highlights from the 'Never Say Never' album. Not that there’s any lowlights, the album is all killer no filler - as has been this set. There’s a line in the song “Welcome the latest great pretender to the stage” Well, Sari’s no pretender, she’s the real deal and leaves the stage tonight with some happy new fans." That was part of our take when we last saw Sari Schorr supporting King King at London's Koko last month and Sari is back headlining tonight at Twickenham's Eel Pie Club. Doors open at 8.15pm with music from 9-11pm. WRC members are reminded that they can use their cards to get discounted admission.

Today's Video Of The Day is the captivating new ‘Keep Waiting’ single released last month by Space Elevator on Steamhammer/SPV. The consummate Classic Rock four-piece, the band were formed by guitarist David Young and flamboyant lead singer The Duchess. The second single to be taken from the band’s sophomore album ‘Space Elevator II’, ‘Keep Waiting’ is a soaring, powerful, perfectly performed, instantly memorable Pop infused Melodic Rock composition.

Alternative Indie-Rock band Flight Brigade release their new single ‘Fury Road’ on Friday 22nd March which is today's Video Of The Day. The single is taken from the band’s new studio album ‘Chased By Wolves’ which is due to be released on Friday 6th September via Wixen Music Publishing. Touring extensively and playing the major UK festivals including Glastonbury, Bestival and The Great Escape, Flight Brigade have garnered a reputation from fans and critics alike for exceptional and explosive live performances. Indeed the coming weeks will see the seven-piece band hit the road once more, kicking off a four-week run of shows starting with a performance at Camden Rocks on Thursday 21st March, finishing off back in London at The Half Moon, Putney, on Thursday 18th April. Their sound is as distinctive as it is unique. Infectious melodies and hooks flow through songs that at times exude fierce energy and at others gentle poignancy. With grand orchestral sweeps, crunching anthemic guitars, strings and synths, their explosive performances feel like it’s their last day on earth!

On today's WRC Award winning Rock On The Ridge Track Of The Day there's music from Animal Drive, The Raven Age, Mouth In The South, Backyard Babies, Dirty Thrills, Piston, Puppet Kings, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Wolf Jaw, Demon Hunter, Burning Rain, Dream Theater, Saint Apache (pictured), Ten Years After, The Wayward Sons, Rainbreakers, Slydigs, Joe Bonamassa, Dogs of Peace, Creed, Whoopie Cat and on their Introducing Stage, two in a row from False Hearts.

Snowy White And The White Flames release their new album 'The Situation' on Friday 19th April. Eighteen months after his last long-player, ‘Reunited’, the acclaimed British guitarist presents his new album containing twelve new tracks. Once again, Snowy called on his musical collaborators and friends, including Max Middleton (piano/keys), Ferry Langendrijk (keys), Jessica Lauren (keys), Kuma Harada (bass), Walter Latupeirissa (bass), Juan van Emmerloot (drums) and Jeff Allen(drums). Since the late 1960's, Snowy and his characteristic guitar-playing have made their mark on tasteful Blues Rock. Whether as a member of Thin Lizzy (on the albums ’Chinatown’ and ’Renegade’), working with Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac), as an indispensable tour musician for Pink Floyd and later Roger Waters, or as a highly-respected solo artist: Snowy has always remained true to his love for excellent, handmade music.

Tora Tora (today's Video Of The Day) was signed by Frontiers in 2018 to record their first all new studio album in almost a quarter of a century, with the resulting ‘Bastards Of Beale’, released last month, bringing back the magic of their Blues-rooted Hard Rock sound that gained them such a loyal following in the first place. Formed in Memphis in the late 80’s, their 1989 debut album ‘Surprise Attack’ (A&M) charted in the Billboard Top 50, with a non-album single entitled ‘Dancing With A Gypsy’ appearing on the soundtrack to the hit movie ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ that same year. A follow-up album, ‘Wild America’, was released in 1992, but their third record was shelved in 1994 as the musical climate shifted. The band went on a lengthy hiatus before reuniting in 2008, initially to celebrate the 20th anniversary of signingtheir record deal, then subsequently releasing three albums of archive material. Always a far cry from their more polished peers and more spiritually connected to Blue Collar Hard Rock, the return of Tora Tora seamlessly picks up where they left off all those years ago.

Today's Blues On The Radio Track Of The Day is another hour of great music from great musicians including Elles Bailey, Mary Lane, Sugaray Rayford, Mike Ross, Kyla Brox (pictured) and more. And all you need do is click play and turn it up!

Returning to the fray after the release of her critically acclaimed second studio album 'Believe', the Black Country’'s Rebecca Downes, announces the release of her eagerly anticipated third studio album, 'More Sinner Than Saint', on Friday 24th May through her own label, Mad Hat Records. With exciting new material that continues the evolution of the music towards Rock, 'More Sinner Than Saint' is worth the wait. At the outset, Downes consulted with producer Chris Kimsey, to select and refine the twelve tracks and to achieve what she and co-writer Steve Birkett see as the perfect expression of their current writing. With her superb studio band that includes Dan Clark, Lloyd Daker and Magnum’'s Rick Benton, there was no shortage of artists queuing to join her on the odd track or two including guest guitars from King King's Alan Nimmo and Magnum's Tony Clarkin. With her signature voice, style and song writing, it was little wonder that last year she was voted Female Vocalist of the Year at the FORM UKBlues Awards. The album was mixed by Chris Childs (Thunder) and Bill Drescher (Rick Springfield & The Bangles) and takes her music into a Rockier sound than before.

We were once again blessed to be in the presence of Bernie Marsden at London's Under The Bridge last Friday night. With great support from The Cinelli Brothers (today's Video Of The Day), check out our initial Photo Gallery here from the night which also includes our presentation to Bernie of his 2018 WRC Best Blues Rock Performance award (pictured). Understandably, the majority of the ex-Whitesnake guitarist's set comprised of the band's greatest hits including 'Fool For Your Loving' and 'Here I Go Again' plus Fleetwood Mac's 'Oh Well' and a fitting tribute to Gary Moore with Jimmy Rogers 'Walking By Myself'.