Notable recent rock and metal releases

Trick or Treat - Rabbits Hill pt 2 : I have to confess that I missed part 1, but I'm very happy to have caught up. I love the concept, the songs are based on Richard Adams' Watership Down. (In that respect it reminds me of the classic Butterfly Ball album) The Italian band began life as a Helloween tribute, which gives an idea of the feel. Because of a number of guest musicians it has a 'supergroup' feel to it. Musically and vocally it really rocks. Songwriting is excellent and the concept really works. Bonus points for the great artwork.

★★★★★

Q5 - New World Order : An 80's band with rather a long gap in their discography. They released a couple of albums in the 80s before splitting up, got together recently for a festival and that led to this new album. It really has an 80's feel and in a very good way, I can hear Saxon, AC/DC and Scorpions in there among others. The first track in particular 'We Came Here to Rock' starts out sounding like another AC/DC tribute but stick with it,  the album broadens and for me rapidly became a keeper. Fear is the Killer sounds like Scorpions have re-recorded The Same Thrill with guest vocals by Biff Byford, and I mean that in a good way - it's AWESOME.

★★★★☆

Denner/Sherman - Masters of Evil : I was very excited about this, being a firm King Diamond / Mercyful Fate fan. The cover looks like they've morphed the Melissa and Don't Break the Oath album covers, I'm sure that's no accident. So if I'm comparing this to DBTO and looking for a follow-up to that, they've only got themselves to blame! I didn't find that, at least not initially. There's only one King Diamond in the world, but Sean Peck does a fine job at the front. Musically it didn't grab me initially. But with each listen it's growing on me.

★★★★☆

Also an honourable mention to Secret Rule - Machination, I'm not usually keen on clean female vocals but I love the twists and turns and industrial/electronic sounds in the music  Also Under Attack by Destruction. Very Slayer-like and very good. Either or both of these may return with star ratings

These albums and many more recent releases are in my Spotify Playlist - New Rock and Metal Releases which you are welcome to subscribe to. Just sort it by date to see the most recent additions at the top.