On May 14, the melodic hard rock band Kikimora will release their new studio album “Dirty Nails” via the company Escape Music. Here’s how to read a press release:

Los Angeles’ Metal Church stand as one of the most innovated and unfortunately, one of the underappreciated heavy metal bands of the 1980’s. And ‘The Dark’, their second album, is without any doubt, the masterpiece of their hard-driven air-guitar assault.

Hailing from Rome, Italy, ScreamMachine is a driving heavy metal force. Armed and dangerous with molten metal riffs, the quintent is ready to take the world by storm with their blazing sound inspired by titans like Judas Priest, Metallica, Iced Earth, Savatage, and Accept. Even if the guys from ScreaMachine are in love with that legendary 80’s metal sound, they are not living in the past.

John Cyriis’s Agent Steel return to Earth from their long intergalactic journey! “No Godz Before Me” is the first studio outing for John Cyriis since “Unstoppable Force” in 1987! This album is a stunning return, John Cyriis vocals pierce the very fabric of the galaxy. This is true Agent Steel, speed metal at its finest with the master of the universe at the helm….. Enjoy the journey!

Elements of blackened death, left-field thrash and grandiose symphonic metal are all present and correct, but Cryptosis have combined them in an exhilarating, unprecedented new form that promises to satisfy on both primal and cerebral levels. Cryptosis are what happens when metal is allowed to evolve, to expand and to breathe. An invigorating shot in the arm for the entire metal scene.

The album marks a shift musically from Sylvan’s previous outing focusing more on the lyrics and vocals in tandem with gorgeous orchestration and timely melodies.

Smith/Kotze n is the exciting partnership between guitarists and vocalists Adrian Smith ( IRON MAIDEN ) and Richie Kotzen ( The Winery Dogs, Poison ). Part-time neighbors in LA, full-time friends with a healthy mutual respect their music is reminiscent of the classic rock bands of the 70’s updated with crisp hooks, harmonies and pure guitar virtuosity. The debut single Taking My Chances sets the tone for this electrifying collaboration between these two much admired rock music trailblazers.

Four years after their orchestral album “Synthesis,” Evanescence will finally return from the studio in 2021 with a new long player: “The Bitter Truth” is album number five.

Does he really need any introduction? Since the brilliant Spiritual Beggars coming on the hard ‘n heavy / stoner rock scene in the mid-90’s, Spice’s voice and charisma have always been synonyms of fine songwriting, rock attitude and a bittersweet touch of melancholy.

New album of progressive rock orchestra AINUR. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion”. The band is formed by metal/rock musicians alongside classical musicians. The album features special guests from Roberto Tiranti, Derek Sherinian, Ted Nasmit.

“Theater Of Sorcery” includes talented guests for vocals and guitars with Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel), Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare) among many other great musicians.

L.A. modern rockers BUDDERSIDE release a second album four years after signing with Motörhead Music, following the 2016 self-titled album. In the meantime, there is a renewed, fresh line up and full of verve they go with SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE on March 26.