Music Discovery Monday – 9/14/15

Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 9/14/15.

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’s Music Discovery Monday features an exclusive interview with September Mourning lead vocalist, September, who discusses the inspiration beind the band’s single, “Children Of Fate.”

 

 

 ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

All of my selections this week were inspired by the 14^th anniversary of 9/11 in one way or another…

 

SEPTEMBER MOURNING – “Children Of Fate”

“Children Of Fate” has a theatrical quality to it, which makes sense given that the band members are considered to be a cast of characters, one of the things that makes September Mourning unique and interesting.  The song’s intro has a mystical feel that is in the same realm as Rainbow’s “Gates Of Babylon.”  Lead vocalist, September, shines with singing that ranges from soft, sweet and melodic to powerfully anthemic to angst-ridden rage.

September Mourning’s “Children Of Fate” was featured in the “Spin It” section of Hard Rock Daddy’s HRD Radio Report last month, and it was on the radar to be featured on Music Discovery Monday.  After watching the 9/11 coverage on the morning of this year’s anniversary of the tragic events of 2001, I couldn’t think of a more ideal feature this week.  From the band name to the song title, it all fits perfectly.

Thankfully, I was able to make quick contact with September – the lead vocalist who describes herself as the “creator, storyteller and embodiment of September Mourning” – to discuss the meaning and inspiration behind the song.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Having experienced 9/11 in an up close and personal way (full story), the coverage of the anniversary each year hits close to home.  The concept of “children of fate” and September “mourning” really struck a chord with me this year as I watched the innocent victims’ children talk about their departed parents.  The combination of the song title and the band name resonated with me in a very specific way.

In a Hard Rock Daddy exclusive, September shared the true inspiration and meaning behind “Children Of Fate”…

“When writing ‘Children of Fate,’ I was inspired by our fans whom I call our ‘Children of Fate.’  I wanted to write a song that spoke directly to them. The story that propels September Mourning into the music realm is about life and death, love and loss…things that people often feel at the mercy of….as if they are helpless to the ramifications of such actions.  I don’t believe that we are helpless.

September Mourning is a half human / half reaper hybrid who was transformed against her will, but who learns to take her fate into her own hands, driving her own destiny and therefore the destiny of the entire universe.

As September, I wanted to write a song that would empower us all, that would solidify the idea that your life is in your own hands…your choices, your decisions.  That even though the chips will fall where they may, you have the power to influence and direct them into place.  You can become anything and everything that you have always wanted to be by just making yourself assertive in your own life and following your passions.  The only limitations we have are the ones that we instill in ourselves.”

Learn more about the story of September Mourning.  The comic book and EP preorder will be available on www.septembermourning.com this week.  Make sure to check it out!

 

NOTHING MORE – “I’ll Be Ok”

Capturing the emotion of meaningful lyrics (that are often times deeply personal) is one of the most appealing aspects of Nothing More’s music.  From the drug addiction and mental disease of his sister to the death of his mother, frontman Jonny Hawkins has turned some of his most heartbreaking moments into songs that many can empathize with in a cathartic way.  Sometimes, the thing that dulls the pain of tragedy most is the ability to lean on others who have gone through the same experience. After an emotionally draining morning watching the 9/11 coverage, hearing “I’ll Be Ok” for the first time on the radio that afternoon was like the calm after the storm.  This song about pain and healing is an emotional roller coaster ride.  From subdued, hauntingly melancholic verses to intensely passionate moments, “I’ll Be Ok” feels like the musical version of the stages of grief.

 

 

 

 JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout

ADAKAIN – “Hey Girl”

The crowded landscape for new(er) bands today means that any and every advantage can be the difference in breaking through.  For this Dallas, Texas quartet, that edge might be an ability to write lyrics that are smarter/more clever than the norm.  Their warning to the subject of the song that a “thirty-thousand dollar millionaire” might not be what she wants long-term is that sort of lyric, and immediately elevated their debut from “pretty good” to “ooh, let me hear more” status with me.

 

ETERNITY FALLEN – “Burn It To The Ground”

From Long Island, NY comes a “new” band whose latest single is some five years in the making.  Produced by Grammy nominee Howard Benson, it’s an airplay-worthy track that could easily be the one that helps elevate them to the next level.  All of the elements seem to be present, with no obvious shortcomings; opportunity is what it seems to need most.

 

 

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

KAMELOT – “Liar Liar”

Tampa Bay’s Kamelot continues to put out top quality progressive metal with their latest single, “Liar Liar” (released just days ago).  Canadian singer Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy, ex-The Agonist) makes a guest appearance on the track, supporting Tommy Karevik on vocals. Creative composition blends with flawless technique for a feast for the ears.

 

UNLEASH THE ARCHERS – “Tonight We Ride”

This female-fronted Canadian power metal band boasts the powerhouse vocals of Brittney Slayes. She has an amazing range, so be ready for some sustained high notes with a set of top-notch musicians thundering alongside her.  Big hooks, blazing riffs and belting vocals.  It’s everything you could want in power metal.

 

 

 

   CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout

ARION – “Seven”

From 2014’s The Last Of Us, “Seven” is a great driving track that features a strangely uplifting theme of life after surviving tragedy.  Intricate, large-scale sound true to symphonic metal.  Fans of Stratovarius should take note of this band from Helsinki, Finland.

 

BROTHER FIRETRIBE – “Trail Of Tears”

Solid AOR/Glam Metal from Finland’s Brother Firetribe.  This melodic, upbeat track from their 2014 release, Diamond in the Firepit, is about breaking away towards new beginnings.  The band’s unusual name is an inside joke; it is the English translation of one of their favorite Finnish athletes.
 

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

 

 

HARD ROCK MUSIC TIME MACHINE

 ADAM WALDMAN

AVENGED SEVENFOLD – “Seize The Day” (2005)

After two metalcore albums, Avenged Sevenfold changed direction with 2005’s City Of Evil, shifting to clean vocals and melodic songs while still remaining heavy.  “Seize The Day” – the fourth single off of the album – is the song that initially drew me to the band.  This track also helped the band to increase their fanbase as a download on the video game Rock Band 2.  M Shadows has one of the most distinct voices in hard rock today.  The vibe that he created with his vocals on this track ideally complemented the lyrics, particularly the chorus…“Seize the day, or die regretting the time you lost…it’s empty and cold without you here…too many people to ache over.”

Seeing all of the anguish that still remains for people (14 years later) on the anniversary coverage of 9/11 brought the aforementioned lyrics to mind for me.  Time has a way of dulling pain, but the void of a tragic loss never truly goes away.  Tomorrow is guaranteed for no one, which is why the message of “Seize The Day” is so powerful.

 

VAN HALEN – “Right Now” (1991)

The message of Van Halen’s “Right Now” goes hand-in-hand with “Seize The Day.”  Often times, it takes a tragedy or near tragedy to remind people of how precious life is, and that time goes by faster than any of us would like.  There’s nothing wrong with planning for the future or reminiscing about the past, but the most important moment is happening “right now.”  Although this track is not one that most hard rock fans have yet to discover, it was featured this week because of the message and the emotions that were stirred on the anniversary of 9/11.  Food for thought…“Right Now” was released nearly 25 years ago, but it sure doesn’t feel like that much time has passed since then.

 

 

 

JON LOVELESS

ADELITA’S WAY – “Move” (2011)

While their sophomore album, Home School Valedictorian, produced four top-five Active Rock radio hits (including a pair of #1 songs), the number could have easily been five hits had they chosen to release this up-tempo song with a catchy, ready-to-sing-along hook.  The band is currently writing material for their fourth album, but in the meantime, this song is worth going back to in case you missed it.

 

COBRA RAMONE – “Wrath Like A City” (2012)

Vancouver is home for this singer/guitarist and her two bandmates who dented the Canadian Active Rock airplay charts a couple of years ago.  The song is catchy and the vocals are distinctive.  It’s got a bit of a Pretty Reckless vibe, but with more rawness to it.

 

 

 

  ROB DELL’AQUILA

ALTARIA – “The Lake”  (2007)

“The children were buried in this cold black grave. Too young to be forgotten, too dead to be saved.” Finnish power metal band Altaria crafted an eerie ballad with this song from their fourth (and sadly, most recent) album, Unholy.  They manage to capture horror and creepiness without compromising their quality sound, to tell an unsettling tale.

 

TAZ TAYLOR BAND – “Silent Fall” (2006)

Graham Bonnet has had the privilege of singing with some amazing guitarists: Ritchie Blackmore in his Rainbow days, Michael Schenker in MSG, Yngwie Malmsteen in Alcatrazz, Chris Impellitteri in Impellitteri….and the lesser known, but equally proficient, Taz Taylor. Reserved guitars and piano bring in this beautiful piece, before the beat starts pounding and Bonnet eventually joins in with his distinctive vocals.

 

 

 

 CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH

SUN CAGED – “A Fair Trade” (2007)

Paul Adrian Villarreal’s tremendous vocals and Marcel Coenen’s great guitar work lead this great prog metal track from Sun Caged’s 2007 release, Artimisia.  This tune features well-executed time shifts and a nice combination of moods.  The group has been on the under-card for Queensryche, Spock’s Beard and Vanden Plas.

 

NOSTRADAMEUS – “Without Your Love” (2000)

“Without Your Love” is an excellent power ballad from Sweden’s Nostradameus.  Freddy Persson’s passionate vocals really make this track extraordinary, supported by great guitar work of Lennart Specht and Jake Fredén.  The track is from their debut album, Words of Nostradameus, back in 2000.