Music Discovery Monday – 4/6/15

Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 4/6/15.

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.

This week, Jandre Nadal and John Feliciano of Message To Venus discuss the inspiration and meaning behind the second single off of the band’s debut album, Victims & Villains.

 

 ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

MESSAGE TO VENUS – “Over And Done”

In recent weeks, “Hollow,” the first single off of Victims And Villains (the upcoming debut album from Message To Venus) was featured on Music Discovery Monday.  The song was also featured on Hard Rock Daddy’s Top 100 Hard Rock Songs of 2014.  Tomorrow, the band will be releasing “Over And Done” as the follow-up single to “Hollow,” and we wanted to make sure that our readers had the chance to discover the song before it even went to radio.

With a name like Message To Venus, it should come as no surprise that “Over And Done” has a cool, atmospheric vibe at the onset beneath Jandre Nadal’s vocals.  The intensity grows as the song builds towards the melodic chorus, highlighted by John Feliciano’s crunchy guitars.  If you liked “Hollow,” there is no doubt that you’ll be a fan of  “Over And Done,” and these “21^st century rockers” in general.

 

In an exclusive Hard Rock Daddy interview, Jandre Nadal and John Feliciano shared the inspiration and meaning behind “Over And Done”…

“Over and Done’ is the follow-up to ‘Hollow,’ and is the second single off our upcoming album, Victims & Villains. This is a song about the internal struggle we all go through at some point in life – an escape from yourself, from being your own enemy.” – Jandre Nadal

“The lyrics feature two characters, the ‘victim’ and the ‘villain’ – which is really the same person battling him or herself.  Musically, the song also goes trough different stages of intensity to accentuate and set the mood for this struggle.  In the end, the ‘victim’ ends a personal struggle by achieving acceptance (‘don’t think about it and just take me’).  Rather then ending on a negative note, the other side symbolizes a better place (‘the other side awaits you now’).  We were able to capture this in the music video we just shot with (Director) Andres Ramirez, which we hope to premiere between late April and early May. Stay tuned!” – John Feliciano

 
 

HIGHLY SUSPECT – “Lydia”

In the increasingly niche-oriented music business, there is a tendency to try and fit bands neatly into a radio format.  This mindset can make it challenging for a unique and fresh sound to emerge, especially from newer artists who are fighting for their slice of the radio pie.  However, sometimes a band comes along with a unique sound that is hard to categorize, but still gains traction at radio because it’s too good to ignore.  Such is the case with “Lydia” – the latest single from Brooklyn-based rockers, Highly Suspect.  If you’re looking for something with a cool vibe that has a distinctive sonic quality, this is a band that you should definitely check out.

 

 

 

 JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout

ROMANTIC REBEL – “Believe”

Female-fronted quartet from Chicago delivers an interesting mix of contemporary rock and classic influences on their latest single, “Believe.”  An aggressive touring schedule, major label distribution, signs of interest from radio…A lot of signs point to this being a band to watch for a possible breakthrough, but it all starts with the music, and they prove here that they’re more than capable of rocking out while doing it with a style that’s clearly their own.

 

I MOTHER EARTH – “The Devil’s Engine”

Three highly successful albums in Canada between 1993 and 1999 made this Toronto band alternative rock favorites, but with this, just their second new release in over a decade, they defy the expectations that genre label might create.  This is heavy stuff… 70s-inspired driving rock with modern production that gives it even more value.

 

 

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

ELDORADO – “Mad Woman”

With shades of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, Eldorado merges classic 70s hard rock with a modern vibe.  As with previous releases, they record their albums twice, once in their native Spanish (Karma Generator) and once in English (Babaylonia Haze).  There’s a heavy groove on the guitars and a Hammond organ that evokes the late Jon Lord.

 
 
AT THE DAWN – “A Crow With No Wings”

At The Dawn is an Italian power metal band formed by guitarist Michele Viaggi.  Naturally, there is an emphasis on guitars, with hints of Yngwie but without the overindulgence.  “A Crow With No Wings” enters on a keyboard introduction, features plenty of hooks and harmony and vocals that pair nicely with the music.  The song is from the band’s upcoming album (Land In Sight) which will be released one week from tomorrow.

 

 

 

   CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout

TRIOSPHERE – “As I Call”

Terrific, hard-driving introspective from Norway’s power metal group Triosphere, off of their critically acclaimed third studio album, Heart of the Matter.  Ida Haukland’s vocals, and the dueling guitars/licks from Marius Silver Bergensenn & Tor Ole Byberg are the standouts here.

 

WE ARE HARLOT – “Dancing On Nails”

We Are Harlot’s recent single, “Dancing On Nails,” is an electric track about the thrill that you get from someone at first sight.  Contemporary hard rock with a metal edge (especially on the solo).  These veterans of rock and metal have great chemistry.  The band features Danny Worsnop on vocals (Asking Alexandria), Jeff George on guitars (Sebastian Bach), Bruno Agra on drums (Revolution Resistance) and Brian Weaver (Silvertide).
 

 

 

 

HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE

 ADAM WALDMAN

My “Time Machine” songs this week are both dedicated to a little boy named Mikey, who passed away during the week (just before his 9^th birthday).  He and his sister (who passed away in 2009), were both born with a rare, terminal disease.  Their time on earth was far too short, but their impact will last a lifetime.  R.I.P. Mikey…

 

SEVENDUST – “Angel’s Son” (2001)

“One last song given to an angel’s son”…

“Angel’s Son” has always resonated with me in a very emotional way, without even knowing the true meaning behind it.  Frontman, Lajon Witherspoon, consistently delivers his lyrics with passion and soul, but here he seems to dig even a bit deeper to deliver a truly moving performance.  The song perfectly captures the bittersweet feelings that inevitably come with a loss as mourning collides with the celebration of life and memories that will never fade away.

 

SLAUGHTER – “Fly To The Angels” (1990)

“Fly To The Angels” is a power ballad that follows a formula similar to many others of the 80s and early 90s, but it stands out due to its lyrical content.  While many power ballads deal with a love lost, it is usually from a breakup, not death.  Like “Angel’s Son,” this is a track that is particularly meaningful to anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one.  You can feel the anguish in the voice of frontman, Mark Slaughter, as he delivers lyrics that are clearly very personal.  It’s no surprise that this is the most popular song in Slaughter’s catalog.

“Heaven awaits your heart, and flowers bloom in your name”…

 

 

 

JON LOVELESS

BAD COMPANY – “Rock Steady” (1974)

 While only two songs from their self-titled debut album officially showed upon on the music charts of the day, the album had no less than five easily identifiable songs that quickly propelled them into stardom.  With both this album, and the follow-up Straight Shooter being remastered for re-release later this summer, it seems like a good time to enjoy this Paul Rodgers-penned tune and let it “ease your worried mind.”

 

38 SPECIAL – “Stone Cold Believer” (1979)

The title track off of 38 Special’s debut album (Rockin’ Into The Night) provided the first radio success for these Jacksonville, Florida southern rock icons, but that album also included this popular track that still makes it into the band’s live set from time to time today.  Nearly 40 years (and over 20 band members) later, it’s still bluesy, southern goodness.

 

 

 

  ROB DELL’AQUILA

LECHERY – “Open Your Eyes” (2008)

Sweden’s Martin Bengtsson transitioned seamlessly, if surprisingly, from playing bass in the death metal band Arch Enemy to vocals and lead guitar for the melodic metal band Lechery.  The songs are heavy, but full of great harmonies and strong support from the rest of the band.  “Open Your Eyes” – the album’s power ballad – is beautifully executed with yearning vocals.

 

EMPIRES OF EDEN – “Your Eyes” (2012)

Empires of Eden unites some of the best metal artists for a supergroup project out of Australia, but with lead singers from all over the world that change with each track.  Mike DiMeo (ex-Riot, ex-Masterplan) turns in a spectacular performance as the frontman on “Your Eyes,” with some powerful guitar riffs courtesy of founder, Stu Marshall.

 

 

 

 CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH

VIRON – “Ride On” (2006)

Speed and power drive this killer track from Viron’s 2006 release, N.W.O.G.H.M.  This track breaks out of the gate and keeps on moving with power vocals from Alexx Stahl, the driving rhythm of Inge Holzhauer & Neudi and great guitar work from Thilo Feucht and Roger Dequis.  This band broke up, but the members power other groups: Masters of Disguise Seduction and Roxxcalibur (to name a few).

 

FIFTH ANGEL – “Angel Of Mercy” (1989)

Traveling back to the metal years of late 80s for this off-the-radar track from Seattle’s Fifth Angel.  The band achieved a major record deal with Epic, but never broke out.  Great all-around melodic metal that will make you wonder why it was over-looked back then.
 

 

 

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