Hot Press cover stars go No.1 and No.2

The Blizzards sophomore album Domino Effect has stormed into the Top 5 in its first week on release, landing in the No.2 position. However, they were pipped to the top spot by Metallica, whose Death Magnetic is at No.1, in its first week.

The two bands featured on successive covers of Hot Press recently, with Metallica featuring on the last issue in August and The Blizzards following them in the current issue. The Blizards' issue of Hot Press comes with a special fan loyalty card, which gives a free download of an Autamata remix of 'But It, Sell It'.

It was a week that saw a number of other strong performances from Irish artists, with Lisa Hannigan debuting at No.3 with Sea Sew and Mick Flannery's White Lies climbing to No.6, in its first week on release. There are five Irish artists in the top 10, including The Script (No.4, down from No.1) and Sharon Shannon, whose The Galway Girl – Best Of continues to sell very well after 20 weeks in the charts.

Other debutants this week include Katy Perry, who is at No.10 with One Of The Boys, Neyo (No.14 with Year Of The Gentleman) and The Streets (No.19 with Everything Is Borrowed).

”It’s fantastic to go in at Number 2 with our second album, and stand alongside such other great Irish releases,” says the Blizzards' lead singer Niall Breslin. “It proves that it’s now time for the Irish music industry to stand up on it’s own two feet – and not focus solely on other territories. We’re thrilled.”

The Blizzards are one of a host of leading Irish artists set to appear at The Music Show, in the RDS on October 4 and 5.