MUSIC DISCOVERY MONDAY – 4/24/17
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/Editor, Hard Rock Daddy)
STYX – “Gone Gone Gone”
With only one studio album of original material released since the departure of Dennis DeYoung (2003’s Cyclorama), it felt safe to assume that Styx had shifted their focus to becoming a touring band playing classic material. After a 14-year gap since their last release, you would think that it would have leaked out that the band was going to finally be releasing new material. However, Styx is good at keeping secrets, so when they released “Gone Gone Gone” this week, it was a pleasant surprise to many.
Styx fans weren’t the only ones that were kept in the dark. Tommy Shaw and longtime collaborator Will Evankovich worked on songs for The Mission (a concept album about a mission to Mars) for some time before ever letting the band in on what they were doing…
“The planets truly aligned for The Mission, and I couldn’t be prouder,” says vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw. “It’s our boldest, most emblematic album since Pieces Of Eight.”
Founding guitarist James “JY” Young continued…
“In the 40thanniversary year of our release of our biggest selling album of all time, Grand Illusion, it just seemed truly appropriate to save our new studio album until this year. Needless to say, I’m very excited.”
Pieces Of Eight? JY excited by new material? Talk about setting the bar extremely high! Like most longtime Styx fans, I’ve already been counting down to The Mission (which launches on June 16th).
In the scheme of things, after waiting 14 years for new material, waiting for another few months would seem to be easy. However, after you whet your appetite on “Gone Gone Gone” (one of the shortest Styx songs in their catalog), a few months starts to feel like a lifetime.
“Gone Gone Gone” is a melodic, energetic rocker that starts out in high gear and never lets up on the throttle throughout. Interestingly, the song opens with a bit of southern rock flavor (think Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “I Know A Little”) mixed with the classic organ sound of the ‘70s. A driving rhythm lays the foundation for bluesy guitars and soaring vocal harmonies. Fans who long for the more guitar-oriented era of Styx are going to be chomping at the bit to hear the new album after listening to “Gone Gone Gone.” T-minus 53 days and counting until The Mission takes off!
MILJENKO MATIJEVIC – “My Love Is Gone”
Back in 1990, Miljenko Matijevic left jaws dropping with his stratospheric vocal range on Steelheart’s biggest hit, “I’ll Never Let You Go.” Nearly three decades later, Matijevic’s vocals are still incredible. Although there are only a few skyrocketing notes on his single “My Love Is Gone,” it’s enough to prove that time has not diminished his range. This song features a vocal style that is less about showcasing the high notes. Rather, it is more about delivering an impassioned, soulful sound that captures the emotions of the song (which was featured on a South Korean television show called Glorious Temptation).
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
NOVEMBERS DOOM – “Zephyr”
Novembers Doom was one of the first doom metal bands to burst onto the scene over 25 years ago. The band has released their 10th studio album, Hamartia. These pioneers of Doom metal continue their tradition of slowed-down, gloomy, death-ridden heaviness. The production of the album is topnotch as is the musicianship of the band, whose sound has an almost Opeth-like progressiveness. A strong album released by a strong, influential band.
JASTA – “Chasing Demons”
The hard working frontman for Hatebreed, Jamey Jasta, recently released an album of songs that didn’t make it on his last solo album, The Lost Chapters. “Chasing Demons” features ex-Killswitch Engage, and current Devil You Know vocalist Howard Jones. It is everything you’d expect from a collaboration between the two singers…hardcore heavy (a la Hatebreed) with the melodic screams of Jones injected into the choruses. “Chasing Demons” is one of my favorite tunes on the album. There is also a pretty good cover of Black Sabbath’s “Buried Alive.”
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
ADRENALINE RUSH – “Love Like Poison”
Following in the footsteps of Lita Ford and Doro Pesch, vocalist Tave Wanning fronts Adrenaline Rush with a good dose of sex appeal and attitude. Twin guitars and a blistering rhythm section round out this Swedish melodic metal band’s recently released sophomore album, Soul Survivor.
CRYONIC TEMPLE – “Man Of A Thousand Faces”
Founding guitarist Asa Ehonen is the only remaining original member of Cryonic Temple. After a nine-year hiatus, the band returns on a new label. This Swedish power metal band still has all the drive and hooks as they deliver up a science fiction concept album, Into the Glorious Battle (released April 21st).
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
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