Music Discovery Monday – 6/13/16

Music Discovery Monday – 6/13/16

Music Discovery Monday shines a light on artists that are not getting the radio attention that they deserve, while also showcasing new singles by established bands that are likely to get airplay in the future.

This week’s Music Discovery Monday features an exclusive interview with Citizen Zero frontman Josh LeMay, who discusses the inspiration behind the band’s debut single.

In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlist below, all songs featured on Music Discovery Monday can be listened to individually by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles above each review.
 

 

 
This week’s Music Discovery Monday comes on the heels of the most devastating mass shooting in United States history.  The featured artist for this column is selected in advance.  It just so happens that this week’s featured artist happens to have a debut single that has relevance to this tragic event…

 

 ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

NOTE:  I normally feature two songs in this section, but because of recent events, and the meaning behind our featured artist’s song this week, I have decided to let the song stand on its own.  Below the review, there is an exclusive interview with Citizen Zero frontman Josh LeMay discussing the meaning and inspiration behind the song.  Also featured is my personal experience that has made this song hit me in such a personal way…

 

CITIZEN ZERO – “Go (Let Me Save You)”

30 seconds…that’s all it took for me to be hooked by the debut single from Detroit rockers, Citizen Zero.  What came to mind when I heard “Go (Let Me Save You)” for the first time was the Shinedown influence, most notably “Second Chance.”  Like Shinedown, Citizen Zero has that “it” factor that allows the passion of the lyrics to be brought to life in a way that moves you, even if you don’t know exactly what they mean.  In this case, that “it” factor comes in the form of the soaring vocals of Josh LeMay, whose chemistry with an incredibly talented band – built upon a tragic foundation – is undeniable.

30 seconds…that’s all that it takes for lives to be forever altered; often times, less than that.

When I decided to make Citizen Zero the featured artist today, I knew about the tragedy that befell the band early on, but I didn’t know what “Go (Let Me Save You)” was about.  I just knew that it moved me in a visceral way.  After interviewing LeMay to discuss the meaning and inspiration behind the song, I understood why.

 

In a Hard Rock Daddy exclusive, Josh LeMay shares the inspiration for “Go (Let Me Save You),” which sadly seems serendipitous (given the news of the day)…

 

“It came from a very singular event, which was the Sandy Hook tragedy.  It was just from the feeling that it gave me watching the news, and seeing how the TV media covered the whole event that day.  It was everything from reporting falsities to parents finding out that their elementary school children didn’t make it out of this horrific tragedy.

They (the media) were shooting it with their cameras from far, far, far away through crowds, because they was being held at bay.  Through it all, they were finding little snippets of parents crying and saying things like ‘look at the devastation on their faces.’  It’s like, man…this is insane!  It wasn’t done with the integrity that I kind of hoped for, covering it as human beings.

The song was written about that singular event, and then I listened to my lyrics as I watched the Paris attacks, and the attacks in California.  It’s just one thing after another and everybody with their own political agenda, and these tragedies are just not covered in a very respectful way.  I have no problem with reporting and information to the people, but it should be done with integrity.”

 

My Sandy Hook Memories (Adam Waldman)

I remember the Sandy Hook tragedy as if it happened yesterday, because it represented yet another extreme loss of innocence.  I witnessed 9/11 in an up-close-and-personal way.  I’ve never been the same since because I live with the knowledge that we are susceptible to attacks that were once thought to happen someplace else.  However, 9/11 happened before I had children.  When the Sandy Hook tragedy occurred, I not only had children, but they were in elementary school.  Needless to say, it hit very close to home.

I found out about the Sandy Hook tragedy when I got home from the elementary school.  I had spent the morning in my daughter’s class making gingerbread houses out of empty milk cartons.  My daughter’s gingerbread house was kind of a mess, but it didn’t matter.  She was having fun, and so were all of the other first graders who were in great spirits, excited about their creations.  A little over 100 miles away, the story was quite different because of a maniac with an automatic weapon.

When I heard about a psychopath gunning down first graders in cold blood, my mind couldn’t comprehend it.  I had just left a classroom full of first graders.  They were the portrait of innocence.  I wondered how anyone could see those faces and pull the trigger.  I have never been the same since that day, especially when I say goodbye to my children before they enter the school.  I suspect that I never will be.  Innocence lost forever.
 

 

ORLANDO TRAGEDIES…

As I mentioned above, Citizen Zero’s song “Go (Let Me Save You)” was scheduled to be featured today long before the tragic events that have taken place in Orlando over the past few days.  Hard rock and metal fans were reminded of the murder of Dimebag Darrell when Christina Grimmie was gunned down by a maniac while signing autographs for the fans.  And then, things got worse in Orlando…

Another psychopath with an assault rifle went on a killing spree inside of a gay night club called Pulse.  The victims were different than Sandy Hook, but sadly, the story remains the same.

 

This morning, I spoke to Citizen Zero’s Josh LeMay to get his insight on the latest tragedy…

“Everyone always knows the attacker’s name.  All focus is on them instead of the victims.  We have insight into his background and who he’s tied to, meanwhile the victims just become another number.  Attackers, like this one in Orlando, should remain faceless and nameless.  Too many of these attacks have inspired more attacks.  We are fueling the flames, and giving 10 minutes of fame to the cancer of our society.”

Hard Rock Daddy’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the Orlando tragedy, their families and their friends.
 

 

 

 ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

LOST SOCIETY – “I Am The Antidote”

This thrash metal band from Finland has released their third album, Braindead.  Although different from their preceding two albums, it does not disappoint.  “I am the Antidote” is the epitome of a good thrash metal song…slowed down, fist pumping and head banging heaviness.  Though the oldest member of the band is only 19, it is apparent that old school thrash metal bands like Exodus and Slayer were a huge influence.  Looking for a new thrash metal band to listen to?  Lost Society is the band to check out.  In the infamous words of The Who… “the kids are alright!”

 

GOJIRA – “Stranded”

This progressive thrash metal band from France is back with their sixth studio album, Magma.  “Stranded,” the first single from the album, is heavy, haunting, angry and melodic.  One does not listen to Gojira and expect uniformity.  Their style of songwriting is as eclectic as it gets, mixing styles of progressive metal, death metal and even ambient.  These talented musicians scored again with a great metal album.
 

 

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

WINGS OF DESTINY – “Touch The Sky”

What starts as an Irish jig buoyed by ominous winds quickly escalates with pounding drums, angry twin guitars and unyielding vocals.  This power metal band out of Costa Rica pours it on with speed and fury on their sophomore album, Kings Of Terror.  Watch also for a guest appearance by vocalist Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire) on the single, “Angels & Demons.”

 

FIRST SIGNAL – “Minute Of Your Time”

Vocalist Harry Hess (Harem Scarem) teams up with musician/producer Daniel Flores (Find Me, Murder My Sweet) for this project’s second album, One Step Closer.  On the project’s debut album, Hess had teamed with musician/producer Dennis Ward, a combination that wowed melodic rock fans.  That same magic is captured again here with this new combination.  It’s all about great songwriting with big hooks and flawless execution.

 

 

 

   CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout

SOLBORN – “A World Outside”

“A World Outside” is a great introduction to Solborn, a new symphonic power metal band from Edmonton, Canada.  Cody Lloyd’s guitar work is bright and articulate, complementing Karli Romyn’s great voice. The keys and orchestration complete the earnest and persistent backdrop for this driving, inspirational track (courtesy of Anri Tsiskaridze).

 

BLOOD RED SAINTS – “Kickin Up Dust”

Blood Red Saints are a relatively new band, formed in Manchester, UK in 2014.  Their debut album’s lead-off track, “Kickin Up Dust,” showcases their classic melodic metal sound with a dynamic rhythm, skillful guitar licks and solo, plus strong vocals.  The name of the band comes from a storied Speedway Motorcycle team from back in the ‘20s, who literally lived life in the fast lane.

 

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