Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 6/15/17

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.

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)

TRIVIUM – “Villainy Thrives” (2013)

Do you loathe injustice?  Do you hate seeing innocent people suffering at the hands of unspeakable evil?  Trivium’s “Villainy Thrives” perfectly captures the feeling of indignation that builds up inside all of those who long for justice, and to seek retribution against evildoers. A modern-day anthem of fury, the message contained within “Villainy Thrives” was as apropos back in 2013 as it is today (albeit for different reasons). The song features aggressive guitars, thunderous drums, haunting verses and melodic, anthemic choruses.  The thought-provoking lyrics (delivered with unbridled rage) are particularly powerful.

POP EVIL – “Deal With The Devil” (2013)

The subject matter of Pop Evil’s “Deal With The Devil” has to do with drug addiction.  However, in common parlance, the phrase is about making deals that look good on the surface, but are actually harmful when you peel back the layers to reveal the truth.  Looking back four years ago to when the song came out, I’m reminded of my (then) six-year old daughter imitating frontman Leigh Kakaty’s squawk in the chorus.  His was to add emphasis, my daughter’s sounded like a crazy bird, but it entertained us all every time that she did it.  These days, I think about the phrase “Deal With The Devil” often, but not in the entertaining way that I did in 2013.  Still, it’s a great song, regardless of the thoughts that it conjures up today.
 

 ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

KING DIAMOND – “Family Ghost” (1987)

One of the best concept albums ever written was King Diamond’s 1987 opus, Abigail.  The album tells a story of a young couple moving into an old haunted mansion, ghosts of ancestors, a stillborn child, the murder of the young wife to prevent the rebirth of Abigail, exorcisms, and countless details relating to the story told in each song on the album.  To top it off, King Diamond had one of the best lineups of the band (Andy LaRocque and Michael Denner on guitar, and Mikkey Dee on drums).  From the screamingly high falsettos of King Diamond to the macabre subject matter, this is a favorite amongst the metal masses.

ANNIHILATOR – “Alison Hell” (1989)

Annihilator released their debut album, Alice in Hell, back in 1989.  The band is easily one of their most influential (and best-selling) thrash bands to have come from Canada.  The technical guitar work and song arrangements of Jeff Waters and Randy Rampage included elements of progressive metal, while still maintaining headbanging riffs and a heavy pounding rhythm section.  A new reincarnation of the band with Waters is currently recording a new album.  It will be interesting to see how the band has progressed since its inception.
 

ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout

DOOGIE WHITE – “Hallowed Be Thy Name” (1999)

There have been numerous Iron Maiden tribute albums over the years, but one of the best also happens to be one of the hardest to find: 666 The Number One Beast – A Tribute to Iron Maiden.  With 11 tracks, it divvies up the vocals between five amazing singers.  This 1982 classic fell to Scottish vocalist Doogie White, a couple years after perhaps his highest profile gig, as front man for Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow. Before joining Rainbow, White was almost selected to replace Bruce Dickinson when he left Maiden in 1994 (the job instead went to Blaze Bayley). Listening to this cover of “Hallowed Be Thy Name” confirms that he would have been a great choice.

ERIK GRONWALL – “18 And Life” (2009)

Singer/songwriter Erik Gronwall is perhaps best known today as the frontman for the Swedish melodic rock band H.E.A.T.  He got his start, however, on Sweden’s version of American Idol.  His cover of this classic Skid Row ballad from 1989 brought tears to the judges’ eyes, ensuring a successful audition to get on the show.