MUSIC DISCOVERY MONDAY – 5/1/17
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)
SAMMY HAGAR – “No Worries”
Because he was already a legend before joining Van Halen, it’s understandable to think that you’re on top of what Sammy Hagar has done since leaving the band. However, aside from his work with supergroup Chickenfoot (which is still underrated), much of his recent material hasn’t received a lot of mainstream attention.
With his tremendously successful business ventures, the gregarious Hagar somehow manages to always feel like the life of the party. In recent years, his entrepreneurial spirit and fun personality have drawn me to him as much as his music.
Hagar has proven that happiness is something that exists far beyond the limelight. In fact, he formed the Wabos after leaving Van Halen as “an alternative to the superstar big-time, high-maintenance commercial world that he had been living in since joining Montrose in 1972.”
“No Worries” is featured on This Is Sammy Hagar / When The Party Started / Volume 1. The song was co-written by his nephew, Tom Solis. According to Hagar…
“Tom’s a singer-songwriter dude, twentysomething years old, Southern California. He lives in Orange County on the beach. He’s a Sammy Hagar kinda guy…growing up in a world of playin’ bars, pickin’ up on chicks, and hangin’ at the beach.”
It’s easy to see why Hagar would have “no worries” these days. You might even say that he was “standing on top of the world.” However, if anyone has earned the right to enjoy the fruits of his labor, it’s Hagar. With the life that he lives now, it’s hard to imagine how he could even tap into a point in time when things weren’t as easy, but that’s exactly what he did with “No Worries.”
The song is written from the perspective of “trying to imagine what life might have been like if he’d been capable of looking at the world from his current happy-go-lucky point of view when he was still a younger man, struggling to feed his family while looking for a big break in the music business.”
In a day and age where life is a struggle for many, Hagar has the gift of being able to take you away from all of your worries, making you see the world through a different lens, and helping you to live in the moment.
BLACK STAR RIDERS – “Dancing With The Wrong Girl”
It’s hard to listen to Black Star Riders and not be taken back to the glory days of Thin Lizzy. Although the band has stood on its own since 2012, the creative forces behind the music are directly connected to Thin Lizzy. Only guitarist Scott Gorham remains from the ‘70s, but vocalist Ricky Warwick is so similar to Phil Lynott that you can’t help but think of Thin Lizzy when you listen to Black Star Riders. That’s a tribute, not a criticism. This band, who released their third studio album together this year, is a throwback to the days of timeless rock and roll. Much like AC/DC, Black Star Riders can be counted on to deliver music with such a distinct, consistent style, that you know it’s them from the first note. “Dancing With The Wrong Girl” is a perfect example of what you can expect from a band that takes you back in time in a beautifully nostalgic way.
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
GOD DETHRONED – “The World Ablaze”
One of the more important death metal bands is the Dutch band – God Dethroned. Their new album, The World Ablaze, is chock-full of death metal fast-paced riffs, double-time drumming and the trademark death growls. The subject matter is ominous, dreary and aggressive, all signs found in a traditional death metal genre. Leaning more towards the melodic side, the tunes are catchy enough for the listener to growl along with and band their heads.
BELOW – “1000 Broken Bones”
This doom metal band from Sweden is set to release their new album, Upon a Pale Horse. On “1000 Broken Bones” – the first single from the album – the sound production and musicianship are both topnotch. The soaring vocals are reminiscent of classic Fates Warning, Iron Maiden, and even some Armored Saint. The music is dark. The riffs are heavy and crunchy with drips of Sabbathy-influenced blues. Below is proving themselves to be one of the top doom metal bands of 2017.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
THE FERRYMEN – “End Of The Road”
Melodic metal just got a shot in the arm with this new project, uniting three talented veterans from three different countries. Swedish guitarist Magnus Karlsson (Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall, Primal Fear) wrote all the music. He sent it to Chilean vocalist Ronnie Romero (Lords of Black, Rainbow), who excitedly signed on. They then recruited Italian drummer Mike Terrana (Tarja, Rage, Axel Rudi Pell, Vision Divine). The final product is a powerful blend of heavy harmonies on a self-titled album due out June 1st.
THE UNITY – “No More Lies”
A couple of Gamma Ray members strike out on their own for a new project called The Unity. Drummer Michael Ehré and guitarist Henjo Richter of Gamma Ray team up with four more talented veterans from the power metal scene, for a self-titled debut due out May 5th. It will followed up by a tour with German rockers, Sinner.
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
Leave a Reply