MUSIC DISCOVERY MONDAY – 8/21/17
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)
MOTORHEAD – “Heroes”
On January 10, 2016, the rock and roll world was shocked and saddened by the death of the legendary David Bowie. At that time, the world was still reeling from the passing of fellow rock and roll legend, Lemmy Kilmister (who died on December 28, 2015). These two larger-than-life personas will be forever linked because of the timing of their respective passings, but that is not their only connection.
Last week, a video of Motorhead covering Bowie’s haunting classic, “Heroes,” was released. The song (recorded during the Bad Magic sessions of 2015) will be featured on the band’s upcoming release, Under Cover. It was one of the last songs that Motorhead recorded together.
“It’s such a great Bowie song, one of his best, and I could only see great things coming out of it from us, and so it proved to be. Lemmy ended up loving our version,” said guitarist Phil Campbell. Drummer Mikkey Dee added, “not only because it turned out so well, but because it was fun! Which is what projects like this should be – fun!”
Tinkering with a classic song is a bold move, but if anyone had earned the right to take some liberties, it’s Lemmy. This version of “Heroes” has some altered lyrics, and is much heavier than Bowie’s version, with a heavy bottom and shredding guitars replacing the more mystical keyboards of the original.
Through it all, Motorhead somehow manages to simultaneously stay true to the original, while creating something that is unique in its own inimitable way.
There have been far too many losses in the rock and roll world to count since this passing of these two icons, but listening to this interpretation of “Heroes” took me back in time in a bittersweet way. The original version, while one of my favorite Bowie songs, always left me feeling a bit melancholic in a way that I can’t exactly put into words. This version does the same, but only because it reminds me of what we have lost.
FRED LABUDKA – “Numb”
We have no idea how the loss of a rock star will make us feel until we are faced with the reality of their demise. Losing icons like Lemmy and David Bowie in succession was a heavy blow to many. As difficult as those losses were, perhaps the one that affected me the most in recent times was the shocking passing of Chris Cornell.
His music touched the lives of so many in countless ways.
One of the people that was most devastated by Cornell’s loss was Linkin Park frontman, Chester Bennington. The pair toured together shortly after Linkin Park broke out with their most successful album, Hybrid Theory.
After Cornell’s passing, Bennington shared the following…
“Thoughts of you flooded my mind and I wept. I’m still weeping, with sadness, as well as gratitude for having shared some very special moments with you and your beautiful family. You have inspired me in many ways you could never have known. Your talent was pure and unrivaled. Your voice was joy and pain, anger and forgiveness, love and heartache all wrapped up into one. I suppose that’s what we all are. You helped me understand that … I can’t imagine a world without you in it. I pray you find peace in the next life. I send my love to your wife and children, friends and family. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life.”
On what would have been Cornell’s 53rd birthday (7/20/17), Bennington committed suicide by hanging. This duo will be forever linked in death, just like Bowie and Lemmy.
For a variety of reasons, Bennington’s death did not hit me as hard as other recent rock star deaths. However, his death made a major impact on countless fans and fellow musicians, both well-known and lesser-known alike.
This week, I received a link from Fred Labudka (Fred & The Living Deads) to a video that pays homage to Bennington. Like Motorhead’s interpretation of “Heroes,” Labudka has done a masterful job of staying true to the original version of “Numb,” while making it his own. Unlike Motorhead, Labudka has taken the song in the opposite direction, slowing it down, taking away the heaviness and rage, and replacing it instead with melancholic melody.
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
COMEBACK KID – “Absolute”
This post-punk hardcore band from Canada is about to release their new album, Outsider. What drew me to this song was the sound. The band’s typical sound was (temporarily) abandoned with a guest appearance by one of the best guitar virtuosos from Canada, Devin Townsend. A great tune all around, it’s heavy with the licks of Townsend to complement the guitars of the song.
TRIVIUM – “The Sin And The Sentence”
There is always some excitement and trepidation when it comes to a new release by a band like Trivium. They have released some mediocre songs in the past but, I admit, this song impressed the hell out of me. It’s thrashy and heavy, yet melodic, with blast beats, screams and clean vocals. Their new drummer’s grooves and fills are tremendous. Matt Heafy clean vocals and screams flow together easily. The solos are fast and frenetic, and overall, the song’s composition is spot-on. I look forward to hearing the rest of the album.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
AVENGED SEVENFOLD – “Runaway”
American metal band Avenged Sevenfold released their latest album, The Stage, back in October of last year. Nevertheless, they continue to expand that album with new tracks, apparently giving various members the opportunity to take over on vocals for covers that mean a lot to them. Rhythm guitarist (and backup singer) Zacky Vengeance takes over lead vocals on a punk version of this 1961 hit made famous by Del Shannon.
ROCK SUGAR – “Roll You In The Hurricane”
Rock Sugar is a pop metal mashup band, meaning that they mash together covers of two songs (one pop, one metal) into one glorious production. They are amazingly talented musicians, and their songs are filled with energy and fun. Here they mash up Adele’s pop hit “Rolling in the Deep” with The Scorpions’ metal hit “Rock You Like a Hurricane.” A little Cyndi Lauper is woven in, too, for good measure!
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