Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 4/6/17
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.
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)
ROGER DALTREY – “Under A Raging Moon” (1985)
“Under A Raging Moon” is the title track off of Roger Daltrey’s sixth solo album. The song, which closes the album, was written by John Parr (“St. Elmo’s Fire”) and Julia Downes. It is a tribute to Keith Moon (Daltrey’s bandmate in The Who) who died in 1978 of an overdose of pills meant to take away the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal as he tried to get sober. According to reports, bassist John Entwhistle wanted to play the song when The Who played at Live Aid in 1985 instead of “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” When Pete Townshend wouldn’t agree, Entwhistle recorded his own version of the song on his live solo album, Left For Live.
The connection to “Won’t Get Fooled Again” doesn’t end at Live Aid. As you listen to the opening keyboard intro (which carries under the vocals), you can’t help but be reminded of The Who classic. Even though none of the band members were involved in the writing process, it’s not hard to imagine the song being done by them instead of Daltrey as a solo artist. Daltrey’s distinct vocals shine throughout the song as he delivers the lyrics with heartfelt passion. It’s somewhat surprising that a song paying homage to Moon was written by outsiders, but the end result is all that matters, and this song is one of the best from Daltrey’s solo work.
ROBERT PLANT – “Burning Down One Side” (1982)
Like Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant (another legendary British singer) released a solo album with material that sounds like it could have been done by Led Zeppelin. The similarities don’t end there. Plant released this song three years after Zeppelin put out their (sort of) last album, In Through The Out Door. Daltrey released his album three years after their last (real) studio album of the era(It’s Hard). Zeppelin would go on to release Coda, but that album was more a bunch of leftover tracks thrown together after the band had called it quits. Both Plant (John Bonham) and Daltrey suffered the loss of a legendary drummer to alcohol-related deaths.
“Burning Down One Side” was (by far) the most popular song off of Plant’s debut solo album, Pictures At Eleven. The song features Phil Collins on drums. While this track was released on Plant’s solo album, if you didn’t know any better, you would think that it was a lost track from In Through The Out Door.
**NOTE: There is another similarity between these two solo albums that was discovered by accident long after they were chosen to be featured together. Yesterday, Hard rock Daddy did a story on the tragic rock ties to April 5th (click here to read). One of those tragedies was the untimely passing of drummer Cozy Powell in 1998. Like Moon and Bonham, alcohol also played a factor in his death. Powell didn’t play drums on either of these featured songs, but he did play on tracks on both albums.
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
HATEBREED – “I Will Be Heard” (2002)
The band that helped bridge the gap between hardcore and metal in the early 2000s was Connecticut’s Hatebreed (fronted by the hardworking Jamey Jasta). Jasta angrily screams the motivational messages in his lyrics with conviction. Hatebreed’s style borrowed heavily from the ‘80s and ‘90s hardcore punk scene with its song structure, angry subject matter, and breakdowns to make the listener move. Its appeal went beyond the punk crowd to the metal crowd. I highly recommend checking out a Hatebreed show to experience the power and energy of the band for yourself.
BIOHAZARD – “Punishment” (1992)
Biohazard was one of the first metal bands to include rap in their music. It made sense at the time. The band originated from the streets of Brooklyn (along with many rap artists). Their tough-guy, street, hardcore mentality has been carried over and exhibited by other bands of the same genre such as Cro-Mags and Sick of It All. Their shows were always a great place to be in the pit, which was shared by skinheads and metalheads. “Punishment” is off their album Urban Discipline and is a main staple of the New York Hardcore scene.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
W.A.S.P. – “Deal With The Devil” (2007)
This American heavy metal band has been cranking out the tunes since 1982. Founder and vocalist Blackie Lawless may be the only remaining original member, but the quality of their work has been consistently great. This song comes from their 2007 album, Dominator.
STONELAKE – “Deal With The Devil” (2007)
This progressive metal band out of Sweden formed in 2006, though vocalist Peter Grundström and guitarist Jan Åkesson have played together in other bands since 1984. This heavy (but melodic) number comes from their sophomore album, World Entry.
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