Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 1/12/17
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)
ROB ZOMBIE – “The Great American Nightmare” (1997)
In some ways, it’s hard to believe that Rob Zombie’s “The Great American Nightmare” came out 20 years ago. In other ways, the song seems like a current rock song. Confused? This song was originally written to be featured on the soundtrack to Private Parts, a biopic about radio legend Howard Stern. It quickly became much more than that as it was turned into the theme song for his daily radio show. It’s the song that I’ve heard more than any other over the past two decades, but ironically, I very rarely hear it in its entirety, as it is always talked over before it ends. Not only does the song/movie turn 20 this year, but it also happens to be Howard’s birthday today, so this seemed like the most fitting song to choose to kick of Hard Rock Music Time Machine 2017.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS (f. LL COOL J) – “I Make My Own Rules” (1997)
It certainly hasn’t gotten the exposure that Rob Zombie has gotten, but “I Make My Own Rules” was also featured on the Private Parts soundtrack. If you are familiar with Howard Stern, you know that this song also would have been an excellent choice to be the theme song to his radio show. LL opens the song with swagger – “You know the rules of the game baby…We can handle this like gentlemen, or we can get into some gangsta shit…This is big time rock and roll baby” – before the Chili Peppers jump in with their signature funk rock sound, which carries throughout. LL can be as smooth as silk, but he can also lay the hammer down (as he does on this underrated track). This is one of the more forgotten rap/rock collaborations, but it’s a good one that is worthy of revisiting.
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
AMON AMARTH – “Guardians of Asgaard” (2008)
I admit it; I was watching Vikings when this song was playing in the background, which inspired me to include it on this week’s HRMTM. This melodic death metal band delivers with a killer track from their seventh studio album, Twilight of the Thunder God. Their music is heavy, with chugging riffs and a pounding rhythm section that gives you no choice but to bang your head. Their videos are entertaining as well, taking the Nordic Viking mythos to another level. Sound the battle horns when you blast Amon Amarth!
ARCH ENEMY – “You Will Know My Name” (2014)
In the realm of melodic death metal, props must be given to Sweden’s Arch Enemy. “You Will Know My Name” – from the band’s 9th studio album, War Eternal – starts off with a classical style guitar riff, some keyboards and an almost flamenco drum beat while exploding into the death metal growls of Alissa White-Gluz. Arch Enemy is one of few female-fronted melodic death metal bands that is able to produce material that appeals to the fans of this genre. One cannot think of melodic death metal without including Arch Enemy on that list.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
CIRCUS MAXIMUS – “Game of Life” (2012)
Norwegian progressive metal band Circus Maximus released one of their best albums in 2012 with Nine. This upbeat (but complex) number from that album moves a series of poignant questions through some inspired arrangements.
ANDRE MATOS – “Separate Ways” (2007)
In 2007, Brazilian vocalist and pianist Andre Matos (ex-Viper, ex-Angra, ex-Shaman) put out his first solo album, Time To Be Free. In addition to some amazing original material, he did justice to Steve Perry’s high range vocals while covering this Journey classic. The guitars are amped up high, together with his voice, as the band brilliantly “metalizes” the song.
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