Music Discovery Monday – 2/6/17

Music Discovery Monday – 2/6/17

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)

JACK RUSSELL’S GREAT WHITE – “Sign Of The Times”

The year was 1984.  Words cannot describe how psyched I was to finally get to see Judas Priest in concert.  I missed out on the Screaming For Vengeance tour, so the adrenaline was flowing when I arrived inside the hallowed halls of the Nassau Coliseum for the Defenders Of The Faith tour.  Priest is a tough band to open for, because the crowd walks in the door ready to see the headliner.  Of course, most openers are not Great White!

Despite my eager anticipation to see Judas Priest, I was blown away by Jack Russell and company.  It was the first (and only) time that I went out the next day and purchased an album by a band that I had never heard before after seeing them in concert.

Things were simpler back in 1984.  Great White was a new band that had just released their debut album and was on the rise.  The songs from their self-titled debut fed into the debaucherous times of the decade.  Two of my favorites from the album were “On Your Knees” and “Stick It.”  They would later go on to use more innuendo, but the sexual component remained.

Time marches on, and like many bands, there was a falling out between the members.  One of the advantages that the singer has when a band breaks up is that they are often times thought of as “the sound,” especially when the vocal style is distinct.

Russell has been a favorite vocalist of mine for over 30 years (since that fateful night in 1984).  Although I hate to see tension between bands that helped shape the soundtrack of my youth, I still keep an open mind when they release new music separately.

“Sign Of The Times” lives up to its title.  Lyrically, it’s pretty far from the sexually charged songs of the ‘80s, but musically, it still hits home as much as Great White did back in 1984.  Having grown up with Great White, I’m also at a different place in life, so these lyrics resonate just as much with me (albeit in a different way).  The older that I get, the more I long for the simpler times of the ‘80s.  “Sign Of The Times” perfectly taps into the feelings that many Gen Xers feel about longing for simpler times.  Although technology and social media are largely responsible for the existence of Hard Rock Daddy, there is something to be said about the more peaceful, carefree life that I experienced before we all became slaves to the internet.  A “Sign Of The Times” indeed!

 

 

PRIMAL FEAR – “At War With The World”

It feels like Primal Fear’s “At War With The World” could have been written in recent weeks (given the current political climate), but in actuality, the song was released in 2016 before much of the chaos set in.  The lyrics… “I’m on attack, at war with the world” seem particularly poignant at the moment.  However, the song is not really about anything political (as far as I can tell).  If anything, it feels more like an inside look at someone’s internal struggle.

Regardless of the meaning, the fact remains that this is classic power metal that will appeal to all fans of the genre.  The chorus has an Udo Dirkschneider-eque angst to it that really makes you feel the song in a visceral way.  It’s unfortunate that “At War With The World” flew beneath my radar last year.  Otherwise, it definitely would have been included in the Top 100 Hard Rock Songs of 2016.
 

 

 

ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

OBITUARY – “Sentence Day”

For almost 30 years, Florida’s Obituary has continuously cranked out classic death metal.  Their self-titled tenth album is no different, with classic Obituary blast beats, heavy crunchy riffs, growling vocals, horror-filled lyrics and screeching guitar solos.  It’s all part of the equation for a band that has excelled in this genre for so long.  Fans of traditional death metal will surely love this new tune.

 

WARBRINGER – “Silhouettes”

From the beginning crunch and fast tempo of the drums to the first scream, Warbringer entices the listener to bang your head along with the rest of the band.  This recent thrash metal band from California takes influences from bands such as Obituary and Overkill and mixes it with tinges of modern metal.  The result is a modern-edged thrash metal masterpiece with screaming vocals, heavy distorted guitars and fast, progressive drums and rhythm section.  Their new album, Woe to the Vanquished, is set for release in March.  If the rest of the songs are anything like “Silhouettes,” it should make for a great album!
 

 

 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

STEPHEN PEARCY – “Rain”

Stephen Pearcy, best known as the lead singer for ‘80s metal superstars Ratt, has released many solo albums that have largely flown under the radar.  His latest, Smash, might just prove to be his next breakout album.  Loaded with classic melodic hard rock, and dripping with groove, it beautifully recaptures that old Ratt sound for new times.

 

RENEGADE TWELVE – “Heroes Of Mine”

Twin guitars burst to the forefront on the debut album from this five-piece, unsigned melodic metal band out of England.  Great vocals and catchy songwriting help to set this band apart from its peers.

 

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