Music Discovery Monday – 9/5/16
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.
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.
ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)
SONS OF TEXAS – “September”
“September reminds her of how things used to be…” This slower, more melancholic side of Sons Of Texas, tackles the struggles that define the lives of many single parents. The lyric highlighted above struck a chord with me, even though I am not a single parent. September also reminds me of how things used to be (before September 11, 2001).
Although I suffered a painful loss just before that date, I didn’t become a single parent as a result of 9/11. I didn’t suffer the loss of anyone close to me that day, but I know many who did. On that day, I suffered a loss of innocence forever, having watched the tragic events unfold right in front of my eyes (see full story). Many people became single parents on that fateful day. Many others have joined those ranks in less publicized, more personal ways since then, but it doesn’t lessen the pain or make the void any smaller.
Years ago, John Cougar Mellencamp famously sang…“oh yeah, life goes on…long after the thrill of living is gone.” Sons Of Texas has poignantly brought that concept to life with “September.” Perhaps there is no more telling lyric in the song about what life is like for struggling parents than…“I’ll take the pain to preserve their joy.” No matter the heartbreak and challenges that any loving parent faces in life, we all do what we can to take away the pain for our children.
In this song, “September” is a reminder of how things used to be, but it is really just symbolic of any trigger that reminds you of a painful loss, or makes you long for days gone by. Between the guitars that seem to cry out in pain, and Mark Morales’ emotionally stirring vocals, this thought-provoking song will deeply touch those who can relate to the story in any way.
PRETTY MAIDS – “Face The World”
American metal fans have had very little exposure to Denmark’s Pretty Maids. Aside from the title track to the band’s sophomore album, Future World, a good portion of American metal fans are unfamiliar with the band’s storied career and lengthy discography.
This November, these Danish rockers are going to be releasing their 15th studio album, Kingmaker. Admittedly, I am among the American metal fans who was unaware Pretty Maids’ longevity, but thanks to Frontiers Records (the Italian metal label that bridges the ‘80s to today), I discovered the band’s most recent single, “Face The World.”
Nearly 30 years have passed since the band’s sole American hit, so it’s understandable that they would be coming from an entirely different “world” (so to speak) this time around. “Face The World” is rooted in ‘80s metal, but isn’t quite as in your face as “Future World.” It’s more along the lines of the melodic AOR sound of bands like Night Ranger and Whitesnake.
Although they have understandably had lineup changes throughout their history, founding members Ronnie Atkins (vocals) and Ken Hammer (guitar) have stayed together since 1981. A pretty amazing feat given the splits that seem to happen with most bands with any kind of staying power.
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – “Failure”
One of the hardest working (and most talented) musicians is back with a new album entitled Transcendence. “Failure” is the first single from the album. If the rest of the album is anything like this song, fans are in for a real treat. Known for his extreme, heavy, death metal overtones in his other band (Strapping Young Lad), the Devin Townsend Project is much more ambient and progressive hard rock that showcases his songwriting composition and guitar wizardry. The guitar solo tones are reminiscent of Steve Vai, while the rest of the song boasts complex keyboard compositions, as Townsend wails and sings with emotion and finesse. This is an album not to be missed!
TWELVE FOOT NINJA – “Invincible”
This experimental metal band from Australia is back with “Invincible” from their new album, Outlier. How do you describe a band like Twelve Foot Ninja? You can’t. These guys are labeled experimental for a reason. Their song compositions are all over the place, ranging from hard rock and jazz one second, to extreme screaming death metal the next, and then back to a progressive metal feel. Despite the eclectic musical compositions, their songs are oftentimes catchy. Listening to Twelve Foot Ninja is like a box of chocolates…you never know what you’re gonna get.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
POWER QUEST – “Face The Raven”
British power metal band Power Quest returns with a new vocalist, Ashley Edison (Dendera), and a new guitarist, Dan Owen (ex-Hunted). They merge well with the rest of the lineup, firing on all cylinders on this first single from their upcoming three-song EP (due out September 10th).
IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION – “The Fog”
This progressive metal band out of Detroit lives up to the expectations stirred up by its intriguing name. The band glides easily from tip-toeing keyboards to pounding riffage and a sense of doom. This driving, complex arrangement is from their just-released sophomore album, Triumphia.
CHRIS HERZEGOVITCH – HRD Music Scout
EARTHSIDE – “The Closest I’ve Come”
Earthside’s self-described “Cinematic Rock” style exudes coolness, mixing ethereal themes with heavy rhythms and chords that blend together seamlessly. Bordering on progressive metal, this instrumental piece highlights the band’s musical skills. “The Closest I’ve Come” is the lead track from the band’s debut album, A Dream In Static.
DRAGONHARP – “Eternal Moon”
DragonHarp is a unique symphonic power metal band from Italy. The band was founded by harpist Rossina Monico, who incorporates the harp into their songs (in a subtle way, akin to keyboard accompaniment). Nicole Masselli’s excellent vocals lead “Eternal Moon,” a hard-rocking track from their just-released debut album, Let the Dragon Fly. You’ll also hear heavy drums (Andrea Lentini) and rich, powerful chords with excellent bass (Roberto Como) and lead guitar work (Paolo Albergoni).
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
[…] song that turned me on to the band), to “September” (a deep-meaning track that was recently featured on Music Discovery Monday), to “Blameshift” (a vastly underrated single that was featured on HRD Radio Report back in […]