Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 12/15/16

Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 12/15/16

Each Thursday, Hard Rock Music Time Machine takes a journey back in time to feature a variety of songs that date back as far as the ’70s, the ’80s (the glory days of hard rock), hidden gems of the ’90s and hard rock/metal songs of the new millennium (as recent as a few years ago).

Whenever possible, it will also contain interviews from featured artists discussing the inspiration and meaning behind their songs.   On the last Thursday of each month, we will be doing special themes that feature songs based on specific categories or years.

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

 

 

 ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

JUDAS PRIEST – “United”  (1980)

After attending the Epiphone Revolver Music Awards this week (read full story), and being immersed in an environment of like-minded people, it took me back to a time when life was all about music, not politics.  Living in the U.S. these days, the “U” in the abbreviation has felt like something of a misnomer, as we are more divided than ever.  But for one night, all of the troubles of the world disappeared, and I truly felt like I was a part of one big group.  Metal has a way of bringing people together, and no one does it better than Rob Halford and company, with anthems like “United” that feel like much more than a song.  It’s more like a rallying cry to their throngs of fans.  The song is far from the most popular off of 1980’s British Steel, but it’s one of the most powerful.

 

JUDAS PRIEST – “Take On The World” (1978)

Judas Priest fans around the world know their 1978 release as Killing Machine.  In the U.S., the album was released as Hell Bent For Leather.  The title was changed in the U.S. because record company executives didn’t like the “murderous implications” of the title used outside of the country.  Regardless of where you live, or what you call the album, the one thing that is consistent for everyone is that it is a Priest classic.  “Take On The World” is another us-against-the-world anthem from these heavy metal legends that preaches the power of unity.

 

 

 ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

GOJIRA – “Liquid Fire” (2012)

One of the best metal bands to have come out this past decade is France’s Gojira.  This band is so unique, it’s hard to fit them into a category.  Call them progressive metal or groove metal, but their style stands apart from the masses.  “Liquid Fire” is one of these songs that shoves the emotion of the song into your gut when you listen to it, with nihilistic lyrics that make the listener mourn for the destruction of our world.  From their fifth studio album, L’Enfant Sauvage, “Liquid Fire” is a masterpiece of a song with both technical uniqueness and social commentary.

 

TIAMAT – “Cain” (2003)

One of the best goth metal bands around is Sweden’s Tiamat.  Formed in 1987, the band’s albums have ranged in genre from death metal to gothic rock.  Johan Edlund’s vocals change with the style of the song, from a death metal growl to low whispers building to a crescendo of melodic vocals.  Their music sets the mood for any quiet, moonless night.  It’s dreamy at times, and oftentimes the keyboards give their songs a hypnotic ambiance.  Although I prefer their earlier works (when they were more of a death band), their slowed-down goth rock works for them too.  Fans of bands like Sisters of Mercy would enjoy Tiamat.

 

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – “Don’t Let It End” (1985)

Guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen took the metal world by storm in 1984 with his debut album, Rising Force.  He followed it up a year later with another masterful entry into the genre with Marching Out.  This song nicely highlights Yngwie’s blistering riffs and Jeff Scott Solo’s soaring range on vocals as well.

 

IMPELLITTERI – “Stand in Line” (1988)

When forming the band Impellitteri, guitar virtuoso Chris Impelliteri originally recruited Rob Rock for vocals.  They released an EP together, but the band’s first full album was 1988’s Stand In Line, featuring Graham Bonnett (Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz) on vocals.  Since then, both singers have appeared on different albums, with Rock as the current singer over the past ten years.  Here on the title track to the band’s first full-length album, Bonnett and Impellitteri work some magic together, playing off each other beautifully.  Also, check out their remake of Rainbow’s “Since You Been Gone.”