In a landscape of identikit Thrash bands, Gama Bomb have always stood out. Unapologetically Irish, with lyrics mixing humour and social commentary and a reputation for legendary beer-soaked stage shows, they’ve never made a secret of enjoying what they do. Formed in 2002, bonding over a shared love of retro comics, movies and old Thrash Metal cassettes, Thrash Metal’s arch-geeks are now in their sixteenth year, recently releasing their sixth studio album 'Speed Between The Lines' on AFM Records. Indeed, the album’s cover (pictured) is inspired by sci-fi and horror paperback novels of the 70's and 80's, while the tracks boast a rich, rounded production that brings to mind classic late 80's Thrash!

"Step forward the gem of the evening – OK it was a cover of Whitesnake’s ‘Crying In The Rain’ - but it was just under ten minutes of quality British Hard Rock at its very best – showcasing Ousey's vocal style, which is soulful and smooth before he left the stage and handed it over to McBride and Wisefield to do the honours – before they duly handed the baton over to Wakeman. Awesome. It was then back to ‘Second Skin’ with a nod to the late 70’s AOR and ‘That Kind Of Love’ – a Snakecharmer microcosm – great vocals, harmonies, catchy chorus and riff. James’ pounding drum on ‘Guilty As Charged’ from their first album, nearly saw the giant Murray emerge from the back of the stage, but Neil thought better of it given the tambourine wielding Ousey and both Wisefield and McBride stealing the limelight again with some great guitar work." That was part of our take when we saw Snakecharmer at Islington's O2 Academy in May last year and the guys return to London tonight at ULU Live.

The fast-rising Marcus King Band (Video Of The Day) play 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 tonight. The six-piece band are 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. Meanwhile, The David Sinclair Four return to the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond tonight, scene of legendary gigs in the 1960's by the Stones, the Yardbirds and many others, with a show which The Morning Star described as “a Bluesy Rock masterclass.” Their new album 'Sweet Georgina' marks the latest chapter in David's stellar career as a bandleader, songwriter and music journalist, alongside lead guitarist and backing vocalist, Geoff Peel, together with the hand-in-glove rhythm section of the Mendoza brothers Jos (bass/BVs) and Rory (drums). Also joining the band as a special guest for the show will be master Blues-harmonica man Laurie Garman.

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 Billy F Gibbons, Brother Strut, RHR Redfern, Hutchinson & Ross, Giles Robson, Jools Holland, Sandy Carroll, David Lumsden, Jim Allchin, Dean Newton Trio, Dennis Herrera Blues, Khalif Wailin Walter, Keb' Mo', Kirk Fletcher, Eric Clapton, Tape Five, Stevie Van Zandt, Dave Keller, Paul Rodgers, Diane Durrett, Peter V Blues Train, PJ Morton, JP Williams Blues Band, Frankie Miller's Fullhouse, Lawrence Lebo, Connor Selby (pictured), Erja Lyytinen, B. B. & The Blues Shacks and more.

Jo Harman will open BluesFest 2018 tonight with an acoustic set at London's O2 Arena supporting John Fogerty (Creedence Clear Water Revival) with special guest Steve Miller Band. Noted journalist, author and BBC London's presenter Robert Elms, will be introducing Jo the stage at 6.30pm prompt. It looks like being an exciting few months for Jo. She'll be releasing a special limited edition 'acoustic' version of her noted 'People We Become' album (with additional bonus tracks) in the New Year. Moreover, apart from her own headline shows throughout 2019, Jo will also be special guest support for noted US artist Lamont Dozier in February, appearing at a number of prestigious venues including the Union Chapel in London. Also tonight at London's The Troubadour, The Second Sons continue their residency supported by Eat This.

Flat Earth evolved after Niclas Etelavuori (bass) fell out with the manager of Amorphis and left the band. Consequently, Niclas and ex-HIM guitarist Mikko Lindstrom, started working on ideas for new songs. Getting vocalist Anttoni "Anthony" Pikkarainen on board provided additional inspiration and when their old band mate Mika Karppinen (aka Gas Lipstick, ex-HIM) finally joined on drums, the band's line-up was complete. All songs on their debut album 'None For One' due to be released on Friday 9th November (see today's Track Of the Day) point to the heydays of Alternative Rock, take a nonchalant bow to the forefathers of all things heavy with a pinch of wistful Psychedelia. Gas and Niclas robust, yet subtle rhythmic dynamic work, pave the perfect runway for Linde's guitar solos to freewheel and Anthony's maudlin yet contemplative singing, that gives the band's sound a tint of mawkish desperation that sets them apart from any other band you've heard. Magnetically melodic, playful, exhilaratingly unconstrained and thoroughly permeated by vocalist Anthony's passionately melancholic overtones, Flat Earth delivers in the same parcel both – the beauty and the beast!

Fancy a night of total Rock ’n’ Roll abandon? Sassy Road warriors The SoapGirls are on tour with seven more UK shows, including their last two Camden, London, gigs of the year at Fest tonight (on stage at 9.15pm with The Fascinators, Scarlet and Mongrel Dogs) and on Tuesday 13th November at The Monarch (on stage 9.30pm). The SoapGirls latest album 'Society's Rejects' features the singles 'Johnny Rotten' (today's Video Of The Day), 'Bad Bitch' and 'Rather Be Dead', with thirteen more songs of Revolt Rock. The perfect balance of attitude, swagger and raw rasping vocals, 'Society's Rejects', is full of straight up Rock ’n' Roll songs - tons of energy, flashes of anger and serrated guitar-driven angst. Nothing can stop The SoapGirls inevitable rise to the top!

American New Wave Of Heavy Metal legends Virgin Steele have confirmed the release of a very special 5CD box set, ‘Seven Devils Moonshine’, containing two ‘Best Of’ CD’s and three CD’s crammed with new music alongside a 24 page booklet, plus sticker (of the album cover), on Steamhammer/SPV on Friday 23rd November. Vocalist David DeFeis, who founded Virgin Steele in 1981, elucidates: "I wish to stress the fact that what we have done here with our Box Set is include 3 brand new albums, not bundle in merely a collection of old bonus tracks we had hanging around for ages and ages… These 3 new discs contain either brand new original songs written and recorded within just these past few months, or brand new re-written covers of songs that we enjoy and felt could be re-cast in the VS style, or…new recordings of classic VS material done either in a special orchestral type setting or stripped way down and re-imagined in vastly different form. I don’t know if anyone has ever done this kind of thing before, but we felt that for us it was absolutely necessary to do this, and it makes perfect sense for where we are…at this moment."

On today's WRC Award winning Rock On The Ridge Podcast Track Of The Day there's music from City Of Thieves, Those Damn Crows, Doomsday Outlaw, Mouth In The South, Anchor Lane, Graveyard, The Brew, The Struts, Massive Wagons, Goldwater, Deep Purple (1968-1976), Freedom Hawk, Hollowstar, The Dead Daisies, Black Stone Cherry, Aviator Shades, Bad Touch, Trucker Diablo, Federal Charm (pictured), The Irontown Diehards, W.A.S.P.and on their introducing stage, two in a row from Rival Bones.

Up-and-coming, five-piece London Rockers At The Sun will release their rip-roaring debut album ‘Leave Before the Light’ on Friday 8th March next year. To herald this, the band have just released ‘Soak It Up’ as a single along with a video which is today's Video Of The Day. The band are five, talented, music-loving London guys, committed to mixing up heavy dirty guitars, pounding rhythms, soaring vocals and ripping solos. At The Sun was formed by rhythm guitarist Kieron Heavens and bass player Alex Matthews, who set out to bring together the finest musicians they could find to make music with lasting substance. After a long (and often frustrating!) search for the right line-up, Harry Dale (vocals), Chet Jogia (lead guitar) and Craig Steen (drums) joined Kieron and Alex, releasing their debut 4-track EP ‘Breathe’ in 2017, gaining radio play on the likes of Ridge Radio, Planet Rock, Hard Rock Hell and Total Rock. The release of ‘Leave Before the Light’ will be followed by a headline tour, which will be the band’s biggest tour yet, although you can catch them before then, headlining London's Fiddler's Elbow in Chalk Farm on Sunday 2nd December.

Wille & The Bandits will release their new album 'Paths' on Friday 1st February next year, encapsulating the excitement and gusto of Rock ’n’ Roll. The album is a breath of fresh air challenging the listener while embracing technology and instrumental possibilities that are afforded to musicians in current times. To support its release, the band will also tour the UK in March 2019. Wille & The Bandits adopts the musical essence, nostalgia and discovery of the late 60's and 70's and mix Rock and Roll with a more modern approach, combining elements of world music, dance music and Hip-Hop creating something truly unique.

Today's Blues On The Radio Podcast Track Of The Day features music from Sam Kelly's Station House, Kyla Brox (pictured), Maria Muldaur, Chris Youlden & The Slammers, Wille & The Bandits, Dave Ferra, Peter V Blues Train, Travelling' Blue Kings, The Riotous Brothers, Erja Lyytinen, ElectroBluesSociety and RC & The Moonpie Band plus tracks from RHR - Redfern, Hutchinson & Ross ahead of their sold out show at The Tuesday Night Music Club, The Comrades Club, Coulsdon CR5 2NF tonight.