Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 1/19/15.
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.
In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlists beneath each section, all songs featured on Music Discovery Monday can be listened to by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles.
Some of this week’s songs appear on the recently published Top 100 Hard Rock Songs of 2014.
On this week’s Music Discovery Monday, we talk to Gary Noon of Walking With Giants.
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
WALKING WITH GIANTS – “Chasing Light”
There is always a story behind the name of a band, but few are as telling as Walking With Giants, the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist, Gary Noon. With plenty of talent, an ability to build relationships and the mettle to approach the musicians who have inspired him most, Noon is indeed “walking with giants” and living the dream.
In addition to Noon, the rest of the studio band is comprised of guitarist, Clint Lowery (Sevendust) and Alter Bridge’s outstanding rhythm section – Scott Phillips (drums) and Brian Marshall (bass).
With Lowery’s writing, playing and production roles, you might expect a heavy Sevendust influence, but Walking With Giants has its own distinct style.
“Chasing Light” features a cool, Chris DeGarmo (Queensryche) guitar vibe, and textured vocal harmonies that are reminiscent of King’s X, but other than that, WWG’s sound is something unique that must be experienced to fully appreciate.
While discussing the inspiration behind “Chasing Light” in a recent interview with Gary Noon, he stated…
“The song started with a riff that I had been working with for a while, and really loved, but had a hard time finding the chorus. Collaborating with Clint brought the song to life as he refined the track before working on the vocals together.
The dark, brooding vibe of the song (that also has a dash of hope) helped to inspire the lyrics. Although the lyrics have meaning to me, I like to leave things open to interpretation by the listeners. Overall, I think that ‘Chasing Light’ features a little bit of everything that Walking With Giants has to offer, so it’s a good introduction to the band.”
KILLER BE KILLED – “Wings Of Feather And Wax”
It is said that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” – an apt description of Killer Be Killed if ever there was one. This is not to say that each member isn’t an outstanding musician in their own right (because they are), but rather that the sound created by this collaboration is something totally unique. “Wings Of Feather And Wax” is a “killer” tune (no pun intended) that is as intense and heavy as it is melodic. Featuring members of Soulfly, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Mars Volta and Mastodon, Killer Be Killed is an intriguing and inspired side project.
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
JEFF LaBAR – “No Strings”
The solo album of Cinderella bandmate, Tom Keifer, may have attracted more attention, but One For The Road (the debut solo project from the band’s guitarist) may be a better fit for longtime fans. Not only does LaBar pull double-duty on guitar and vocals, but he also played everything on the album aside from drums (which was handled in studio by Tesla’s Troy Luccketta). After hearing his first solo album, I’m left wondering…“why did he wait so long?”
MACH 22 – “Go Ahead”
For a relatively new band, this Philadelphia outfit shows a remarkable amount of polish. It’s no wonder that they were handpicked by Slash as the winner of a contest that had several thousand entries. “New” does not mean inexperienced however. Vocalist, Lamont Caldwell, hit the road with a soul band over a decade ago, guitarist Sebastian LaBar (son of Cinderella’s Jeff LaBar) was rather literally raised on rock, and the other members are also experienced on the road and the stage. This straight ahead rock shows a lot of promise for the future.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
SERIOUS BLACK – “High And Low”
Serious Black are set to release their debut album, As Daylight Breaks, tomorrow; and if the rip-roaring “High and Low” is any indicator, we are in for a very special power metal treat. One would already have expected amazing music from a super-group featuring Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween) and Dominik Sebastian (Edenbridge) on guitars, Thomen Stauch (ex-Blind Guardian) on drums, Mario Lochert (ex-Visions Of Atlantis) on bass, and Jan Vacik (ex-Dreamscape) on keyboards. Add to that mix the amazing vocals of Urban Breed (ex-Tad Morose), and this just may be the most anticipated release of 2015 for power metal fans.
JADED HEART – “Schizophrenic”
Despite some lineup changes, Jaded Heart continues to put out the highest quality melodic metal. “Schizophrenic” rushes in with a trembling synthesizer before the drums and heavy guitars declare themselves, followed by soaring vocals and layered choruses.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
BATTLE BEAST – “Wild Child”
Blackie Lawless & W.A.S.P. get some deserved deference for one of their best songs with this bonus track from Unholy Savior, by Finnish power metal group Battle Beast. This one is true to the original with a surprisingly good match on vocals from Noora Louhimo.
ABANDON HOPE – “Sally”
Grundgy, alternative metal from Germany’s Abandon Hope with “Sally,” from the band’s Settle the Score album. It has a great, powerful, raw rhythm, with active lead guitar licks throughout and an excellent solo by Wladlen Schöner, which accompanies Michael Homborg’s emotional vocals, and exits with an unexpected and elegant respite.
HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE
ADAM WALDMAN
KING’S X – “Pillow” (1994)
Released 21 years ago yesterday, the fifth studio album by King’s X, Dogman, is unfortunately known more for its four different color album cover variations than the inspired music featured on the record. Under the direction of famed producer, Brendan O’Brien, this album marked a transition to a heavier sound for King’s X. Although frontman, Doug Pinnick, believes that Dogman features the quintessential King’s X sound, the lack of a hit single makes this something of a hidden gem. The brilliance of “Pillow” lies within the blending of heavy, Sabbath-esque riffs, signature King’s X vocal harmonies and tight, dramatic pauses that are as musical as the instruments themselves.
With no hit single, Dogman, is an album that is under most peoples’ radar, but “Pillow” definitely deserved more attention than it got when the album was released.
COHEED AND CAMBRIA – “Welcome Home” (2005)
It is unconventional to release a single that is over six minutes long, but then again, conventionality is not what Coheed And Cambria is all about. Aside from having a truly unique musical style, is there another band that would come up with an album title that would be challenging to fit onto one side of a concert shirt? From their 2005 release, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV, Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, “Welcome Home” begins with a brief acoustic guitar picking intro before kicking in with a shredding guitar and a rhythm that features an interesting blend of Led Zeppelin and Dream Theater influences. If you weren’t a fan of prog rock before hearing this track, you will be by the time this 6:15-minute musical journey ends.
JON LOVELESS
ADRENALINE MOB – “Indifferent” (2012)
Despite having eight members in less than three years, the most consistent factor in the music from this supergroup is the remarkable voice of Russell Allen. He delivers, as usual, on the band’s first full studio album with “Indifferent,” a song that’s actually more complex and somewhat more laid back than the straight-ahead, aggressive sound that Adrenaline Mob is probably more associated with.
THREE DAYS GRACE – “It’s All Over” (2006)
The second studio album from these active rock mainstays produced three number one hits and solidified their place as a core artist in the format. This particular track may have been a little too dark for radio play, but it’s a strong song that certainly shows the influence of (then) vocalist, Adam Gontier, having written a large part of the album while in rehab for painkiller addiction.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
PINK CREAM 69 – “Last Train To Nowhere” (2007)
Pink Cream 69 have put out amazing music for nearly thirty years. From their 2007 album In10sity, “Last Train to Nowhere” stands out as a song of despair, beautifully crafted and thick with feeling, but that flew under the radar with so many other amazing songs from that same album. It’s brilliantly written music and poignant lyrics that will leave your heart a little heavier.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
HARDLINE – “Everything” (1992)
Great melodic hard rock/metal from Hardline from over 20 years ago. “Everything” features Johnny Gioeli’s strong vocals, a bright, up-beat rhythm, memorable chorus and the unmistakable wailing solo from Neal Schon (who also produced the album).
YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – “Don’t Let It End” (1985)
Let’s journey back 30 years in the time machine to one of my all-time favorites – a classic from Yngwie with Jeff Scott Soto on vocals. Great formula of calm-to-heavy, this track is driving and dramatic. Yngwie needs no describing, and the yearning and emotion in Soto’s towering vocals grab you and don’t let go.
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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