Hard Rock Daddy presents Music Discovery Monday – 12/28/15.
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.
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
GUS G. – “Brand New Revolution”
Gus G. became well-known in the same manner as many before him, as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. Although he has name recognition, his 2015 solo release has still flown largely under the radar, which is a shame, because it is better than much of what is getting radio attention these days. “Brand New Revolution,” the title track off of Gus G.’s latest album, combines the raw, aggressive riffs that fit perfectly with Ozzy’s solo material, and dials it up a notch with the help of the soaring vocals of Jacob Bunton (Adler, Lynam). Everything is big – the riffs, the vocals, the hook, the melody, the heavy bottom, and of course, the shredding guitar work. It all comes together in spectacular fashion to produce a killer heavy metal song that doesn’t get nearly the attention that it deserves.
BLACK STAR RIDERS – “The Killer Instinct”
In 2012, Black Star Riders arose from the ashes of Thin Lizzy. Well…sort of. While the band is comprised of members of Thin Lizzy, the decision was made to record new material under a different moniker out of respect to the departed Phil Lynott and the legacy that he left behind. Although this band won’t release new material as Thin Lizzy or do extended tours, they will still play some dates under their old moniker. Diehard Thin Lizzy fans may be able to detect the difference between the two bands, but the casual fan certainly cannot. Lynott may be gone, but you would think that he was reincarnated in the body of Ricky Warwick, whose vocal delivery is almost indecipherable from the legend that he replaced. That being said, Black Star Riders have accomplished an impressive feat with “The Killer Instinct”…creating new music that is as relevant today as it would have been at any point over the past four decades. If you’re a fan of Thin Lizzy’s music, it’s impossible not to also be a fan of Black Star Riders.
JON LOVELESS – HRD Music Scout
RED SUN RISING – “Emotionless”
The breakout act of 2015 will look to capitalize on their momentum as the new year begins, with their second single officially hitting radio in mid-January. The song takes nearly half its length to really kick into high gear, but once it does, it delivers quite well. That should be more than enough to keep the band riding high well into 2016.
ADELITAS WAY – “Bad Reputation”
This Las Vegas-based band will begin their second decade together with an earworm single that’s already getting early support from SiriusXM’s Octane. It’s a promising introduction to the forthcoming album, Getaway, due to hit the streets in early 2016.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
OVERWIND – “Stop The Time”
Overwind produces modern power metal with some progressive and thrash influences. Out of Russia, the band has recruited some big names for guest appearances on their debut album, Level Complete. Among the guests are: Peter “Peavy” Wagner (Rage, Refuge), Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen), Victor Smolski (Rage, Mind Odyssey) and Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie, Alex Argento). Between the band and their guests, there is a ton of talent on display here.
TERAMAZE – “Out Of Subconscious”
Teramaze is a progressive metal quartet out of Australia. They chose the name Terrormaze originally, but then became more religious and settled on this variation of it. The songs from their latest album are complex (as progressive music often is), but filled with melody and hooks that make it very accessible.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
REVOLUTION SAINTS – “Strangers To This Life”
Revolution Saints is the supergroup trio of Jack Blades (Damn Yankees, Night Ranger), Deen Castronovo (Ozzy, Journey, Hardline) and Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio, Burning Rain). You get polished, skilled, melodic hard rock with more of an edge (thanks to Aldrich’s gritty metal guitar riffs and licks). Castronovo sets the pace with plenty of energy on drums, and lends his voice to this track as well, plus great bass work from Jack Blades.
RED CIRCUIT – “Digging In The Dirt”
Germany’s Red Circuit delivers a great, alternative interpretation of Peter Gabriel’s original song from 1992. The rhythm section supercharges the track with plenty of force, and really makes the song work. Chity Somapala’s vocals are well-matched to the powerful strut created by Thomas Schmitt (bass) and Michael Stein (drums).
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
STEREOSIDE – “So Long” (2007)
It’s been over five years since the last Stereoside album was released. Since 2010’s eponymous album, the band has only released two singles (in 2011 & 2012). Last month, the band posted a message stating that a new record was “in the can,” and alluded to a tour in 2016. Not much other information is available. Hopefully, Stereoside will return in full force. Until then, check out “So Long,” an incredibly melodic tune that turned me on to the band initially. Highlighted by Jeff Shields’ soulful vocals (with a hint of southern rock), infectious harmonies and a huge hook, this song proves that the band has the makings of a radio behemoth (if given the opportunity).
FIREHOUSE – “All She Wrote” (1990)
Firehouse debuted during the tail end of the hair band heyday and made an immediate impact. Despite the ensuing grunge movement, the band still managed to beat out Nirvana and Alice In Chains for “Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist” at the 1992 American Music Awards. Though their huge popularity in America was short-lived, Firehouse has remained extremely popular overseas (particularly in Japan). Three of the four original members are still together to this day, which is no small feat given their limited peak in America. “All She Wrote” is one of five singles off of the band’s eponymous debut album. If you are a fan of big, melodic choruses, “All She Wrote” will be right in your wheelhouse. It seems a fitting conclusion to make “All She Wrote” my final Music Discovery Monday pick of 2015.
To the Hard Rock Daddy readers around the world, I offer you my sincere appreciation for your continued support, and wish you all a Happy New Year! We’re looking forward to 2016 and the introduction of more new features in the year ahead.
JON LOVELESS
BLACK OXYGEN – “Take It To The Limit” (2012)
It’s a long way from Kansas City to Los Angeles, but that’s the path that brothers David and Nick Lyle have followed, en route to carving out a diverse catalog over the past five years. They’ve worked with rap artists and released a power ballad or two, but my own favorite flavor of the band might be the more straight ahead rock/active rock sound that was featured on the first song that I heard from them several years back.
BLACK WATER RISING – “Brother Go On” (2013)
This Brooklyn, NY band recently mentioned that new music is coming in 2016, so it seems like a good time to take a look back at the first single from their debut album. That album, Pissed and Driven, missed my year-end Top 25 Albums list by a very narrow margin, so I’ll certainly be looking forward to hearing from them again next year.
ROB DELL’AQUILA
PUSSY SISSTER – “Melody Of Pain” (2010)
The name of this German hard rock band may throw you, but as soon as you start listening to their music, you will get past it. Here, they’ve put together a haunting ballad that will stay with you long after the song ends.
MANIC STREET PREACHERS – “Suicide Is Painless” (1992)
These Welsh rockers’ cover of the theme from MASH (in the early ‘90s) was nothing short of brilliant. They ease in gently with the familiar melody, and gradually build it into a tour de force of musicianship and melody.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH
ENDS WITH A BULLET – “I’m Alive” (2013)
Ends With A Bullet features an interesting mix of vocal growls, metal progressions and melodic choruses. Although I’m not usually a fan of guttural growls, I find that this combination of styles fits the song’s theme of coming back from a dark painful edge, and then coming alive with a bright refrain. “I’m Alive” is from the band’s 2013 debut EP.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD – “Afterlife” (2007)
A7X tells a great story on ”Afterlife,” offering a glimpse of what lies beyond. Terrific rhythms and changes-of-pace throughout, “Afterlife” is dynamic and full of energy. Another complete track from these California metalheads off of their eponymous 4th studio album.
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