"Following on are what can best be described as the explosion that is Vambo. The Epsom four-piece have exploded onto the scene with airplay on Planet Rock and shows both home and abroad. Indeed, following the set, the band are off to Hungary to do a couple of shows in the homeland of guitarist Pete Lance. Vambo are a great young band influenced by the Rock bands of the seventies. Lance's searing guitar goodness - a Les Paul through a fantastic Kemper modelling amp - are pure rocky filth and goodness and he show some considerable skills up and down the fretboard. Vocalist Jack Stiles, taking his looks and styling from 70's legend Roy Wood of Wizard, has an extremely powerful voice. Their closing track - a copy of Deep Purple's 'Burn' - showcases what final vocal talents he has. You don't cover such iconic Rock tracks like that lightly and he nailed it." That was part of our take on Vambo at London's Stone Free Festival at The O2 Arena in June this year and in our HRH Countdown - the guys (Video Of The Day and who we also interviewed here) are on stage this Friday 9th November at 2pm.

This week's Black On Blues Podcast Track Of The Day features music from Heidi Blasmo, Deborah Coleman, Teresa James, Amanda Fish, Dana Fuchs (pictured) and Chloe Watkinson.

With Hard Rock Hell 12, held at Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales, due to kick off with their HRH awards next Wednesday 7th November, today we continue our HRH 12 countdown with Walkway who are playing Stage 2 on Saturday 10th at 5.45pm. Now in their 11th year, having played over 1000 shows, and still only in their twenties; Walkway (today's Video Of The Day) firmly have the reputation as one of the UK’s brightest up and coming Rock bands. Hailing from Diss, East Anglia, Walkway take on the old fashioned approach of hard work by consistently touring around the UK, performing 100+ shows each year in music venues, pubs, bars, clubs and festivals - thus resulting in them often being described as “The hardest working band in Britain”. With the driving force of founding members the Ready Brothers, Walkway have opened for Status Quo (electric and acoustic), The Darkness, Black Stone Cherry, Slade, Bernie Marsden, Eric Martin (Mr. Big) and Graham Bonnet, plus had national airplay on BBC Radio 2. In 2017 the band also released their highly anticipated third album 'WWIII', which has received rave reviews from the press and public with comments of "best Rock album of 2017".

Notable new German/American Metal band Them, who merge the most significant components of US power and Thrash Metal, to meld their own singular musical potion with lyrics focusing on spooks and horror, released their consummate second album, ‘Manor Of The Se7en Gables’ through Steamhammer/SPV just before Halloween. ‘Manor Of The Se7en Gables’ (see today's Track Of The Day) takes up thematically from where 2016’s debut ‘Sweet Hollow’ album left off but goes on to explore the stylistic extremes of this musical genre even further. German main songwriter and guitarist Markus Ullrich, who was one of the founder members of Prog Metal band Lanfear before joining Them in Autumn 2013 (and continues to be a member of Speed/Thrash Metal act Septagon and instrumental project A Cosmic Trail), was assisted on the album by US bassist Mike Lepond (Symphony X, Ross The Boss), who contributed as a guest musician in the studio, and - as on ‘Sweet Hollow’ - put the icing on the cake (or rather the songs) with his musical experience, as did Paul Sabu (Alice Cooper, David Bowie), who further refined the material as a chorus vocalist.

Just a heads up that Kyla Brox, The Mojo Preachers and Deep Blue Sea are playing London's iconic 100 Club on Tuesday 27th November. It's Kyla's album launch and a bit of a party to celebrate that she's off to play Memphis as the UK winner of the International Blues Challenge. And if you buy your tickets directly in advance from Deep Blue Sea for a bargain £12, you not only save £2 on the door price plus a booking fee, but you'll also get a free copy of their album 'Live It Up' (CD or download) of which they will be playing live on the night! To purchase tickets or for further information, please e-mail littledevilmusic@btinternet.com

With Hard Rock Hell 12, held at Hafan y Môr Holiday Park, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, North Wales, due to kick off with their HRH awards next Wednesday 7th November, today we begin our HRH 12 countdown with Snew who are appearing on Friday. The Californian Rockers are caught somewhere between the vocal prowess of Bon Scott and Ian Gillan plus the solid 80's-inspired riffage of Motley Crue, and have spent the last decade making a lot of noise and a lot of friends. All of which lead to the release in mid-September of their fourth and latest album, 'You’ve Got Some Nerve'; a thrilling ride of high octane Hard Rock, that streams from the heart and keeps the fist-pumping party vibe every step of the way. From the opening salvo of first single 'UR Freaking Me Out' (today's Video Of The Day) , to the Blues driven, early Whitesnake bite of 'Revolution Is A Closed Loop', through to the raucous self-titled closer. Come in, get up and dance, because all are welcome.

Following the news that their 2012 album 'Carolus Rex' has reached quadruple platinum status in their home country Sweden, Sabaton are excited to reveal a new lyric video for the song 'The Lion From The North' which is our Track Of The Day. The concept album - which is the band's biggest success to date - charts the rise and fall of the Swedish Empire, in particular the life of Charles XII ("Carolus Rex") who ruled it for 21 years. In an amazing coincidence, the album's quadruple platinum certification comes exactly 300 years after the King's death in 1718! The band will be presented with their quadruple platinum disc later this year, when 'Carolus Rex' will take its place as one of Sweden's most successful home-grown Rock albums. To celebrate the album's success, and to commemorate the Swedish King who inspired it, Sabaton will release a special 300th year anniversary edition of 'Carolus Rex' on Friday 30th November 30th which is the date Carolus Rex was killed in Norway.

Hollywood Rockers Junkyard began their UK tour supporting their long-time buddies Blackberry Smoke in Newcastle last night, and today they head south to play Croydon Rocks. Raucous, Blues-based and uncompromising, the eleven songs that made up their last album ‘High Water' marked a triumphant return on their first official album since 1991. While odds and sods had been released over the intervening years, ’High Water’ provided a firm statement of the band’s ongoing intent upon its release in April 2017. The album also boasts writing and lead guitar credits from Brian Baker, a Junkyard founding member who played with the band for many years but now plies his trade full time with Bad Religion, while on the road they are joined by Jimmy James (The Hangmen), with founding member Pat Muzingo and bassist Todd Muscat (who joined in 1991) rounding out the line-up. Junkyard’s classic sound also got some help from a fan and friend, with Charlie Starr of the aforementioned Blackberry Smoke writing the dramatic, forthright statement ‘Til the Wheels Fall Off’ specifically for the band.

The Blues Club Podcast Track Of The Day returns today with another two hours of non-stop Best in Blues with More Music and Less Chat featuring New Releases, Classic Tracks and much more. Music this week includes tracks from Bob Malone, Billy Hammond and The Hotshots, Sari Schorr, Tommy Castro, Danielle Nicole Band, Dave Keller, Lindsay Beaver, The Riotous Brothers, Trudy Lynn, Scott Sharrard, Travellin' Blue Kings, Richard Townend & The Mighty Bosscats, Anthony Gomes, Rockwell Avenue Blues Band, Tomislav Goluban Band, Maria Muldaur, The Marcus King Band (pictured), Vargas Blues Band, Mike Farris, RHR Redfern, Hutchinson & Ross, Dr. Bob And The Bluesmakers, Billy Walton Band, London Blusion, Dr. John, Rainbreakers, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, B. B. & The Blues Shacks and more.

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.