Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 1/12/14.
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)
IMPENDING LIES – “Chaos”
With their single, “Chaos,” Impending Lies is proving that their goal of “putting a unique stamp on the music industry by blending many different genres of music” is not just lip service. “Chaos” is a great fit for Active Rock radio, featuring some unexpected elements that the band themselves may not even have consciously included.
A haunting intro leads to a pounding rhythm before driving guitars (that sound like a modern blend of classic Queensryche and early Tyketto) kick in. The unlikely marriage of a brief guttural growl beneath high-register vocal harmonies in the chorus (reminiscent of Toto’s “Africa”) work incredibly well together.
“Chaos” is a somewhat prophetic title given the band’s current situation after a blown tire on their van resulted in an accident that cost the band thousands of dollars. (Check out their Indiegogo campaign to read the entire story).
When asked about the meaning behind “Chaos” (which was written before the accident), Impending Lies frontman, Matt Hayes, said…
“I like to leave my lyrics open to interpretation, so more people can relate. For me, it’s about my daughter and her behavior issues when she went to live with her mom.”
DRAGONFORCE – “The Game”
Fans of Active Rock radio are well-aware of Matt Heafy’s work with Trivium, but probably aren’t as aware of the guest vocals that he provided on “The Game.” If you want to get your blood pumping and your adrenaline kicked into overdrive, check out these British Power Metalers. You will not be disappointed!
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
REARVIEW GHOST – “Devil’s Backbone”
Southern rock influences are probably natural for a band born in north Alabama, but the influence of iconic German producer/engineer Michael Wagener (Metallica, Ozzy, Motley Crue) helps give these newcomers a polished sound without taking away their grit. Frontwoman, Josia, may be the face of the band, but she’s ably supported all around on a song that has a head-bobbing chorus that is hard to shake.
LYNAM – “Halfway To Hell”
Don’t be deceived by a look that’s clearly 80s-inspired; the sound of this Birmingham, Alabama quartet is all its own. Nearly a decade after their major label debut, the band released an EP in the final days of 2013, and showed that they’re far from finished. The title track helps illustrate why vocalist, Jacob Bunton, was chosen to front Adler back in 2012, and the cohesion of this lineup seems to play a big part in how easy they make rocking out sound.
SINBREED – “Shadows”
Putting the “power” back in power metal, the title track from these German rockers’ second album grabs you by the throat from the opening notes and refuses to let go. While guitarist, Marcus Siepen (Blind Guardian), might be the most well-known name in the band, it’s the vocals of Herbie Langhans that set this apart from the ordinary. This track is relentless (in a good way).
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
MAXXWELL – “Nothing Changes My Mind”
Swiss rockers Maxxwell return with a new lead singer (Gilberto Melendez), and between the new voice and a stronger alternative rock influence on some songs, they compare favorably to Alter Bridge. “Nothing Changes My Mind” is dark and brooding, yet moves right along, with brilliant lyrics that capture perfectly the resolve that sets in at the end of a relationship.
BAILEY – “Feed the Flames”
I previously reviewed the debut album by British rock trio Three Lions, giving accolades to their singer, Nigel Bailey. Here, he closes out 2014 with his own solo album of melodic rock, Long Way Down. In addition to the great vocals, the keyboards of Alessandro del Vecchio really stand out on “Feed the Flames,” a track wrapped in hooks and harmonies.
HOUSE OF LORDS – “Precious Metal”
James Christian remains in top vocal form for melodic rockers House Of Lords on their ninth studio album, and on this, the album’s title track, he is given some amusing lyrics to work with. Dressed up as a pull-on-your-heartstrings melodic love ballad, there is a small twist to the usual proclamations of undying love. Jimi Bell, as always, shines on the guitar.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
BLACK VEIL BRIDES – “Heart of Fire”
A lot of different influences and metal styles go into “Heart of Fire,” off the 4th studio album (self-titled) from Black Veil Brides. Punk-metal intro gives way to driving
traditional heavy metal, with a great melodic chorus lead by the powerful vocals of Andy Biersack. Add a some A7X flavor to Jake Pitts’ guitar solo, and even a metalcore scream. This one will charge you up!
BINARY CREED – “Dominion”
Andreas Stoltz (former Hallow frontman) channels his inner Mustane on “Dominion,” a power metal piece from Binary Creed’s album, Restitution. The driving intensity is enhanced by orchestral arrangements (think TSO), which gives this track a magnitude apropos of its title.
HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE
ADAM WALDMAN
TYKETTO – “Forever Young” (1991)
In 1991, Tyketto started to gain traction with “Forever Young,” the most well-known single off of their debut album, Don’t Come Easy. Like many other melodic hard rock bands of that era, their career was undercut by the rise of grunge. While “Forever Young” was the track that got the most attention, their entire debut album was filled with big hooks, feel-good melodies and Danny Vaughn’s brilliant vocals. There is talk that the band may get together again to write and record. One can only hope!
D’MOLLS – “D’Stroll” (1988)
Unlike Tyketto, sleaze rockers, D’Molls arrived before the grunge movement, but never took off because of in-fighting between the combustible duo of frontman, Desi Rexx, and guitarist, S.S. Priest. “D’Stroll” starts out with a fat bass line and a burlesque vibe before kicking into a smooth, bluesy rock ballad in the vein of Great White. The last attempt at a reunion came in 2010. Even if the band never takes the stage again, there will always be this classic track to remind fans of what might have been.
JON LOVELESS
DEEP PURPLE – “Hell To Pay” (2013)
While their most recent studio album, Now What?!, reached the top ten on virtually every European nation’s rock album chart, this gem was largely overlooked by all but diehard fans in the U.S. That’s a shame, because the guitar work of Steve Morse and the keyboard mastery of Don Airey both shine here, and listening to Ian Gillan sing is a treat as always.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
POVERTY’S NO CRIME – “Save My Soul” (2007)
Heavy riffs, ethereal keyboards, and a driving double bass combine to lift the heavy harmonies and compelling plea of “Save My Soul” above other songs of the genre. Out of Germany, this is where progressive metal meets melodic metal, and the marriage is a happy one, even if the song’s message is not.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
EUROPE – “Start from the Dark” (2004)
Another group to darken their tone a little from the sound of their initial success. Throaty, heavy rhythm and lead guitars, and some deep lyrics that seem autobiographical to me, as Joey Tempest and the band continue to hang on and “start from the dark.”
EXTREME – “Cynical” (1995)
Cynical is a hidden gem from the album Waiting for the Punchline, which didn’t get much attention, likely due to the different, stripped down, raw sound and darkness of its content. This tune has great funk along with the excellence of Nuno, Cherone & company. Listen to the terrific lyrics, too. Hard to believe this is already 20 years old!
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
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