A Bury band who have rubbed shoulders with rock legend Brian May will release their debut album on January 20.

Collibus will release their album The False Awakening, which has been described as a “heady dose of full-on, red blooded British heavy metal” by Alexander Milas, the editor of music magazine Metal Hammer.

The group are made up of singer Gemma Fox, guitarist Stephen Platt, who produced the album, rhythm guitarist Daniel Mucs, bassist RJ Kershaw and drummer Aaron Youd.

They recently became the first band to play in the House of Commons after winning an award at the ‘Rock the House’ competition, which was set up to raise the political profile of live music and intellectual property rights.

This accolade also secured them a slot at this year’s Download Festival, and before their performance at the House of Commons they were introduced by the legendary Queen guitarist, who praised their music.

Gemma, lead vocalist, said: “This is the album I have always wanted to make and it has come out exactly as we had wished.

“It has been a real labour of love, blood, sweat and tears to make The False Awakening and we couldn’t be prouder or more excited as a band that it has come together.

“All credit goes to Ste whose perfectionism we have to thank for its production.”

Mike Weatherley MP, who founded the Rock the House awards, added: “I have no doubt that metal and prog rock fans will love this album as much as I do, I literally have not been able to listen to anything else since the band have drip-fed me the tracks as the album was in development.

“They were fantastic when I first saw them, then again in Parliament and I can’t wait to see them play Download!” For more information about the band visit collibus.com