The Virginmarys (Video Of The Day) are back with a new album due to be released on Sunday 18th November entitled 'Northern Sun Sessions'. Hailing from Macclesfield, the band have been hard at it in the studio since the start of the year self producing and creating fresh new works alongside piecing together previously unfinished material, all of which follow the intensity, honesty and urgency that has become a trademark to The Virginmarys sound. After the success of their debut album ‘King Of Conflict’ and follow up sophomore ‘Divides’ produced and mixed by Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies), singer/guitarist Ally Dickaty says this third album is his favourite work to date. The Virginmarys have always endeavoured to remain deeply rooted in their own sound, organically turning away from fads, scenes or indeed anything that steers them away from their own playing styles. Amongst the intensity and danger in The Virginmarys sound, there remains a strong sense of vulnerability and social conscience running through the songs that often lyrically express painful and uncomfortable honesty like a rhetoric of dark journey.

"This was an incredible concert played with great precision and passion, but for me this felt like very cerebral music for the head rather than something for my heart – but then again I do not possess that life-long emotional ‘fan’ connection so evident in so many ‘Krim’ worshippers present. However, there can be no denying the exceptional musical abilities and timing demonstrated in songs that demand split-second reactions to crossover rhythms, key changes and sudden u-turns mid-number that made the incredibly difficult seem easy. This is high-end musicianship that would challenge the most accomplished performers from any genre." That was part of our take when we last saw King Crimson at Hackney Empire just over three years ago, and the 2015 WRC Best Prog Performance Award winners return to London tonight at the London Palladium.

Today's Black On Blues Podcast Track Of The Day includes music from Saverio Maccne, The Bourbon Alley Blues Band, Albert Castiglia, Allman Goldflies Band, BB And The Blues Shacks, Benny Turner, Big Jack Johnson, Big Joe Shelton and Bluff City Backsliders.

Even if they admitted in advance that there set was going to be "short n sweet" - what better way to spend All Hallows' Eve than in the company of Born Healer (pictured) who played downstairs at Zigfrid Von Underbelly in London's Hoxton Square last night. With no less than four other bands on the bill including Little Water, The Apricot Hounds, Bob Deluxe & The Ideals and headliner Kim Logan - it was our first visit to this very neat venue. Anyway, check out today's Video Of The Day - taken during Born Healer's set.

Today's November 2018 WRC Bulletin looks forward to our November gigs including Fantastic Negrito (pictured and tonight), King Crimson, Junkyard, Hawkwind, Erja Lyytinen, The Wild, Hard Rock Hell, Vola, Focus, Bad Touch, Greta Van Fleet, MC50, Goodbye June, Soapgirls, Blackberry Smoke, Idlewar, Supersuckers, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Dead Daisies, Ladies Of The Blues, The Virginmarys, Dan Reed Network, JoanOvArc, The Music Of Cream, Kyla Brox, Ben Poole, Dan Patlansky, The New Roses, The Brink, The David Sinclair Four, Smoking Martha and Uli Jon Roth, plus we also look back our October gigs including Devon Allman Project (4/9), Kris Barras Band (24/9), The Bad Flowers (30/9), Steve Hackett, Primal Fear, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Lynne's ELO, Procol Harum, Snakecharmer, The Marcus King Band, Born Healer plus our Dan Reed Network CD review and our Federal Charm interview. And If you didn't receive our Bulletin then go to our WRC membership page here and simply fill out the membership form and we will be in touch!

"And if you like your singalong tracks, 'Until You Bleed' is none too shabby. The set was rounded off with the superb 'Little Pills' - I am sure I will be reaching for mine to stop the pounding in my head. Although if it removes the smile from my face, I might just give them a miss. Devilskin are a class act and, for one night at least, Camden's Underworld was a little piece of Aotearoa. Can we have it back please?" That was part of our take when we saw Devilskin (pictured and Video Of The Day) last year at Camden's The Underworld in March and, appropriately for Halloween, the guys return to London tonight at the Boston Music Rooms, whilst just up the road, at The Underbelly, Hoxton, Born Healer are also on stage at 9.45pm.

With a review to come, the fast-rising Marcus King Band played the second night of their Carolina Confessions UK headline tour in support of their new album of the very same name at the Islington Assembly Hall last Friday night. The six-piece band were fronted by the multi-talented, 22-year-old Marcus King, whose expressive guitar playing, soulful singing and emotive song-writing make it clear that this gifted young musician is a true talent to be reckoned with; a genuine force of nature. Check out today's Photo Gallery here including special guest Mollie Marriott, courtesy of Tim Russell.

On today's WRC Award winning Rock On The Ridge Podcast Track Of The Day, Bob & Jules are joined by special guest Pete K Mally. There's also music from The Bad Flowers, At The Sun, Gorilla Riot, The Wayward Sons, Massive Wagons, Last Great Dreamers, Whitesnake, The Rocket Dolls, Doomsday Outlaw, Inglorious (pictured), Reece, Walkway, Royal Bliss, Heap Belly, Stone Broken, Kris Barras Band and on their introducing stage Fortune Favours.

Following the release of her album 'Like It On Top' last month, guitarist and singer songwriter Ana Popovic has announced a nationwide UK Tour in May next year! Recorded in Nashville and produced by four-time Grammy winner Keb’ Mo’, the Blues influenced album features guest appearances from Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Robben Ford and of course Keb’ Mo’. 'Like It On Top' focuses on empowered, successful, inspiring female role models. A trending theme in today’s world is women overcoming obstacles and breaking through the glass ceilings to reach the top. 'Like It On Top' celebrates those that take initiative, develop, inspire and motivate. But it also credits the men who are motivated and enlightened enough to support women in their quest to be their best versions of themselves.

This week's Blues On The Radio Podcast Track Of The Day features music from Zoe Green Band, Ariel Posen, Sari Schorr (pictured), Ian Siegal, Beki Brindle Band, Dominic Schoemaker, The Riotous Brothers, Sandy Carroll, DC Blues, Starlite Campbell Band, Steve West Weston and Joe Louis Walker, Bruce Katz & Giles Robson.

"This set is pretty faultless, obviously due to the experience of this collection of musicians with the Paul Rodgers/Eric Martin style vocals of Chris Ousey (Heartland), Neil Murray on bass (Whitesnake etc.), Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash) guitar, Harry James (Thunder etc.) drums, Simon McBride (Own Band) and tonight, replacing usual keyboard man Adam Wakeman, we had Rob Lindrop who pulled the Jon Lord sound back to life." Today we have the whole of Geoff C.'s review of Snakecharmer's recent London ULU Live gig here plus check out today's Video Of The Day.

After a self-imposed exile from the music industry and the public eye, heralded guitarist Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands) returned with a fresh new band, Red Dragon Cartel in 2014. The band’s debut album included participation from a number of special guests, including Maria Brink from In This Moment, Jeremy Spencer from Five Finger Death Punch and Robin Zander from Cheap Trick, but the plan was always to create a proper new artistic vehicle for Jake to bring back his own style of music and playing that has earned him so many admirers around the globe. Jake’s comeback was greeted with much enthusiasm from the fans and media alike and the virtuoso guitarist is back once again to grace the Rock world with his unbridled skill! With an extremely talented band featuring Anthony Esposito on bass (ex-Lynch Mob), Phil Varone (ex-Saigon Kick, Skid Row) on drums and singer Darren Smith (Harem Scarem) backing him up, Jake has delivered the album fans have been eager to hear since Badlands dissolved years ago. 'Patina', the new album (see today's Track Of The Day), due to be released on Friday 9th November, is a definitive statement of Jake’s unbelievable skills. The record returns to the Bluesy, fierce Hard Rock sound of the Badlands days, updated with a monster production from Esposito and a perfect mix, courtesy of Max Norman whose relationship with Jake dates back to his days with Ozzy Osbourne.