Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 1/5/14.
Each week, the HRD team shares songs that fly below radio’s radar, ranging from lesser-known artists to deeper cuts from both up-and-coming and established artists.
In addition to exposing the Hard Rock Daddy audience to new music that isn’t getting the attention that it deserves from radio, Music Discovery Monday also features a segment called “Hard Rock Music Time Machine,” which showcases older songs (from the 70s to today) that hard rock music fans may have missed at the time of release.
All of the songs featured on Music Discovery Monday can be heard on the embedded YouTube playlists beneath each section.
Some of this week’s songs appear on the recently published Top 100 Hard Rock Songs of 2014.
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
SEASONS AFTER – “So Long Goodbye”
From Seasons After’s latest release, Calamity, Scars & Memoirs (an album title inspired by the band’s three-year label dispute), “So Long Goodbye” features impressive guitar work by James Beattie and infectiously melodic vocals by Tony Housh. Neither their extended hiatus, nor their transition from being a major label act to a D.I.Y. independent band, has diminished the band’s ability to create memorable music. Hopefully, Seasons After will start to get the recognition that they deserve in the near future.
URIAH HEEP – “One Minute”
Formed in 1969, and with the exception of a 10-year hiatus in the early 2000s, Uriah Heep has been releasing albums on a fairly regular basis, yet they still don’t have the name recognition of other hard rock bands with similar longevity. Thankfully, Italian label, Frontiers Records, has created a home for bands like Uriah Heep. “One Minute” opens with a beautiful piano intro and soulful vocals before kicking into an up-tempo, melodic rock and roll track, highlighted by inspirational vocals and the instantly-recognizable Hammond Organ that helped to shape Deep Purple’s sound.
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
DORY DRIVE – “Here’s To You”
Infectious track delivered with a strong vocal, the most recent single from this Milwaukee-based band should have gotten more love from radio than it received. With a strong hook, it’s a lighter song that holds up well over repeat listens.
DEVIL YOU KNOW – “It’s Over”
Former Killswitch Engage vocalist, Howard Jones, joined this California start-up group in late 2012. Ttheir debut album – produced by former Machinehead guitarist Logan Maeder — debuted in 2014. Heavy, but with largely clean vocals, this is perhaps the most accessible song from the band to date, and proves worthy for fans of their heavier work, as well as for those who aren’t necessarily drawn to some of their harsher vocal tracks.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
BRAINSTORM – “Recall the Real”
An ethereal entrance reminiscent of a Gregorian chant quickly yields to crunching guitars and the driving vocals of Andy Franck. From Brainstorm’s tenth album, Firesoul, songs like this are no secret in their native Germany, but have somehow (and criminally!) remained under the radar here in the U.S.
HARMONY – “Bloodbound”
Swedish progressive metal band Harmony has brought in a new lead singer, Daniel Heiman (Lost Horizon, Heed), and the marriage works! His soaring vocals blend beautifully with the master musicianship of his new bandmates. Prepare for a wild but melodic ride with plenty of high notes, both figuratively with the instruments, and literally with the vocals!
GOTTHARD- “C’est La Vie”
2014 had plenty of great ballads, but this track stands out as my favorite of the year. Haunting guitars, emotional vocals, brilliant lyrics and–believe it or not–an accordion combine for the most moving piece of the year.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
PHOSPHENE – “Hold Me Down”
This hard-driving Chicago rock/metal group grabs you immediately with “Hold Me Down.” Jeni Leigh’s enchanting, sweet voice is a great contrast to the hard-driving rhythm. Dan Bikars plays a very active and articulate lead guitar; and the rest of the band is equally tight . If you like “Hold Me Down,” give the entire Any Last Words album a listen.
ROYAL BLISS – “Turn Me On”
Salt Lake City’s hard-rockin’ Royal Bliss gets right the point with “Turn Me On.” Powerful and charismatic vocals from Neal Middleton show off a great range which he uses to deliver the message perfectly. You’ll be quick to remember this chorus. Hot guitar solo and great musicianship round out a great tune.
TAKIDA – “It Saved Me”
Swedish metal band Takida gives us a good, grungy, passionate anthem here about self- presservation with “It Saved Me.” The intro gets your attention, then tips off a steady drive to its powerful, spirited chorus in the vein of Foo Fighers/Dave Grohl.
HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE
ADAM WALDMAN
BRUCE DICKINSON – “Accident Of Birth” (1997)
The year was 1997, and hard rock and metal were starting to make a comeback when Iron Maiden frontman, Bruce Dickinson, released his fourth solo album, Accident Of Birth. Although the song isn’t about the return of the genre (after a prolonged down period), there was something very inspiring at the time to hear Dickinson wail “Welcome home, it’s been too long, we’ve missed you!” Nearly two decades later, this powerful anthem still conjures up memories of the return of metal to its rightful place.
PRETTY MAIDS – “Future World” (1987)
Much like their fellow Frontiers Records brethren, Uriah Heep, Pretty Maids are a band that has achieved longevity, but never any major commercial success. There are a lot of hard rock bands who hit you with a punishing guitar attack, but few are able to do so amidst a flurry of synthesizers and still have you banging your head like Pretty Maids does with “Future World.” Although the keyboards give the song a distinct 80s metal sound, nearly three decades later, “Future World” more than stands the test of time.
JON LOVELESS
ALICE COOPER – “Brutal Planet” (2000)
Title track from the first album of the new millennium by the legendary shock-rocker. Produced by Bob Marlette (Shinedown, Seether), the song brings a heavier, and somewhat modern feel, but fits well into Cooper’s extensive catalog, and is frequently a highlight of his live performances more than a decade later.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
ONE DAY REMAINS – “The Unholy One” (2009)
With elements of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden merged with the band’s own distinctive, modern style, “The Unholy One” radiates power from its opening notes, turns introspective on its guitar solo, then finishes strong with a beautiful blend of power vocals and instruments that fire on all cylinders. Amazingly, the track is the work of only two musicians, Noel Priore on guitar and drums, and Eric van Landingham on vocals and bass. Highly recommended!
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
WARRANT – “All My Bridges Are Burning” (1992)
Back to 1992 for my favorite track off of Warrant’s third album. This had all of the elements of good, solid, heavy hair metal, while pulling back a bit from their popular radio hits. A little darker, and perhaps prophetic (RIP Jani Lane). Glad this one stayed under the radar.
PAUL GILBERT & FREDDY NELSON- “The Last Rock-n-Roll Star” (2009)
Paul Gilbert shreds with the best of them and can play anything. Freddy Nelson is fantastic on vocals – his tone is reminiscent of another Freddy who has long since passed. Straight-forward hard, heavy rockin’ here – and the solo is off the hook. Enjoy this great tune from the outstanding album United States.
SUBMISSIONS
To be considered for Music Discovery Monday, please e-mail a link to the song being submitted on YouTube and an artist bio to…
submissions@MusicDiscoveryMonday.com
Leave a Reply