Music Discovery Monday – 10/16/17

MUSIC DISCOVERY MONDAY – 10/16/17

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)

ALTER BRIDGE – “Cradle To The Grave”

The epic theatricality of Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” …the sweet melancholy of Black Sabbath’s “Changes”…the subtle mystique of Led Zeppelin’s “All Of My Love.”  Alter Bridge’s “Cradle To The Grave” is all of the aforementioned songs rolled into one masterful, heart-wrenching journey (and then some).

And yet, as always seems to be the case with one of the best bands of this generation (or any other for that matter), this song will not got nearly the attention of any of the other classics mentioned above.

There isn’t another band out there that can take such a solemn message and make you feel simultaneously uplifted and forlorn.  For my money, the best songs are the ones that make you feel deeply without even listening to the lyrics because they capture an emotion.  Alter Bridge’s “Cradle To The Grave” not only does this, it then takes it to another level as you pay close attention to the lyrics.

Myles Kennedy is so consistently brilliant at mixing insane vocals with genuine emotion, that it feels like his gift is taken for granted by the masses.  Of course, his fans (like me), joyfully bask in his brilliance, so he is appreciated, just not nearly as much as he deserves to be.  Neither is the rest of the band for that matter.

In my mind, AB is every bit as good as Soundgarden was, and Kennedy is in the same league as Chris Cornell.  Although the bands don’t sound similar, they both have that “it factor” that puts them on another musical level.  I’ll never understand what the legions of diehard AB fans around the world hear that eludes the masses (especially radio programmers).

Don’t let radio’s failure be the thing that keeps you from discovering the genius of Alter Bridge.  By all rights, “Cradle To The Grave” should be a song that goes down as a classic that gets played for decades to come.
 

 
BLACKJACK FALLS (f. JAKE LIVGREN) – “Winter Approaches”

Outstanding musicianship with depth and nuance is not something that is commonplace in modern hard rock these days.  Too many artists create music that sounds like it’s trying to capture a sound that fits on radio.  It’s understandable.  Things are tougher than ever for up-and-coming bands these days, so you need any edge that you can get.

So, when a band like Blackjack Falls writes a song like “Winter Approaches,” which offers up the musicality of the bands of yesteryear, it is something to be appreciated.  This song has a mature, soulful sound that is rooted in classic rock, but still maintains its uniqueness.

Even though the band’s bio says that they’ve been writing, performing and playing together, it also says that they were formed in October of 2016.  Their sound is impressive for a band that has been together for much longer than a year.

“Winter Approaches” featured Jake Livgren (nephew of Kansas’ Kerry Livgren) on vocals.  Clearly, musicianship runs in the family.  Livgren’s soaring vocals perfectly complement this tightknit unit.  This is definitely a band to keep on your radar!
 

 

 

ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – “Kings Of The Nightworld”

Longtime death metalers The Black Dahlia Murder is back with a new album, Nightbringers, and it’s everything fans of the genre would expect.  Blast beats galore, brutal death metal vocals and finger ripping riffs all comprise the sound and feel of this extreme metal band.  Influenced by bands such as Carcass and Morbid Angel, this band has perfected death metal, in addition to modernizing their playing to compete with the newer death metal bands out there.  Fans of the genre will not be disappointed.

 

KING PARROT – “Die Before You Die”

These thrash metal/grindcore diehards from Australia are at it again with their third album, Ugly Produce.  One of the better bands to have emerged within the past five years, King Parrot brings with them their brand of humor (which is not too dissimilar to bands like Municipal Waste and Iron Reagan).  They are heavy, fast, loud, angry and obnoxious, all wonderful traits to have in a punch-you-in-the-face thrash/grind band.  Don’t look for anything technical, deep psychological meaning, or political in King Parrot’s songs.  Crack open a beer, laugh at yourself, and just enjoy the sweet sounds of thrash grind.
 

 

 

KEVIN GRAYSON – HRD Music Scout

ACT OF DEFIANCE – “Overexposure”

It’s hard to believe that we are only three years removed from the departure of Megadeth’s Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover. These guys recruited ex-Scar the Martyr singer Henry Derek on vocals, and ex-Shadows Fall guitarist Matt Bachand on bass. Act Of Defiance is making some very powerful music, with Broderick’s unique guitar style, Drover’s pinpoint drumming, Bachand’s driving bass, and Derek’s distinct vocals, which range from gritty to clean (both sound awesome).  “Overexposure” – from Old Scars, New Woulds – is the follow-up single to very solid “M.I.A.”  The guys wanted to make music without outside influences, and I would say that they have definitely done just that.

 

COMMUNIC – “Where Echoes Gather (Pt 1 – Beneath The Giant)”

Here’s an entry that you are sure to love. Communic has been around since 2003 and largely overlooked in the states.  They are an extremely talented three-piece Progressive Metal band from Kristiansand, Norway, featuring Oddleif Stensland (one of the best metal vocalist in the buisiness) on vocals and guitar, Erik Mortensen on bass, and Tor Atle Anderson on drums. Communic is about to release their fifth album Where Echoes Gather (dropping on October 27, 2017).  “Where Echoes Gather (Pt 1 – Beneath The Giant)” is actually a two-part song.  “Where Echoes Gather (Pt 2 – The Underground Swine”) is the continuation of the story.  Check these guys out; you won’t be disappointed!  Crank it to 11, and let the music do the talking.

 

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