MUSIC DISCOVERY MONDAY – 11/13/17
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)
THE UNITY – “No More Lies”
Founded by Gamma Ray members Michael Ehré (drums) and Henjo Richter (guitar), The Unity is the result of the chemistry between the duo that goes beyond music. Surrounded by four other accomplished songwriters, The Unity is melodic power metal at its best. After spending 18 months working together, the band released their debut album earlier this year.
If you’re a fan of melodic power metal, “No More Lies” is nothing short of brilliant. The overall sound is tailor-made for arenas. Though the band is rooted in Europe today, if music like this came out in the late ‘80s, The Unity likely would have been headlining arenas in America. They’re just that good.
Kickass riffs, thunderous drumming, and last (but certainly not least), the majestic vocals of Italy’s Gianba Manenti complemented by dazzling vocal harmonies, makes you stand up and take notice of The Unity as something special.
This is the kind of band that makes American hard rock fans jealous of their European brethren across the pond. For reasons that are completely baffling to me, melodic power metal doesn’t gain much traction in the U.S. (no matter how good it is).
SANTA CRUZ – “Young Blood Rising”
Finish rockers Santa Cruz have found a way to take the foundation of classic melodic metal and build on top of it with a modern sound. At times, “Young Blood Rising” will remind you of the early days of Skid Row. Other times, you’ll feel like the band that shares a name with a city in California is paying homage to GNR with aggressive riffs and piss-and-vinegar vocals. But it doesn’t stop there. If you listen to the nuance of the song, you’ll be reminded of Avenged Sevenfold’s “Hail To The King.” And then there are the gang vocals that gives the song a classic arena rock sound.
The guitar shredding is fast and furious. The dynamics of “Young Blood Rising” is like a roller coaster that seamlessly blends moments of calm with white knuckle fury. For the sake of hard rock music fans everywhere, we can only hope that the title of this song is prophetic, and that these “young bloods” continue to rise to the top of the genre.
KEVIN GRAYSON – HRD Music Scout
SPARZANZA – “Vindication”
Considered one of Sweden’s best metal bands, Sparzanza has been tearing it up since 1996. They describe their sound as powerful, dark and heavy melodic rock. They have come up with a mix that works. The video for the song “Vindication” is a must watch. It gives you a good representation of who they are as a band, and what their music is all about. The band just released their eighth album, Announcing The End.
OZ – “Bone Crusher”
When I see the name OZ in red letters over a black background, it brings me back to my teenage years when just about every album that I bought looked like that. All of those albums were on Megaforce Records or Combat Records. OZ is back at it after six years of silence. They have just released a new album called Transition State. “Bone Crusher” shows that they have come back with a talented new group of musicians (drummer Mark Ruffneck is the only remaining original member). They have added the rangy vocals of Vince Koivul. Combined with the superb guitar playing of Juzzy Kangus and Johnny Cross, this band is on a whole new level. I love the old OZ; this version of the band has the old school sound that you remember, but with something fresh to boot.
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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