Music Discovery Monday – 3/6/17
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)
CHICKENFOOT – “Divine Termination”
In a perfect world, there would be no reason to feature Chickenfoot’s latest single, “Divine Termination,” in this forum. Like most classic rock acts, this supergroup has no natural place on radio in the United States. Makes you wonder when the powers that be will wake up and realize that they are missing out on some incredible music.
For those who are unfamiliar with Chickenfoot, the band features a partial Van Halen reunion with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. The duo is joined by legendary guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers fame. The lineup alone should be enough to intrigue any rock music fan, but this band is much deeper than a collection of superstars with impressive resumes.
Chickenfoot has a chemistry that rivals established bands like Van Halen and Red Hot Chili Peppers, even though they have released only two studio albums since 2009. Although “Divine Termination” is a new song, unfortunately, it is not part of a new studio album. In fact, it is the only new track on the upcoming album Best + Live (which features over 90 minutes of live music from the band).
When a band is this good, you always want more, but you take what you can get. “Divine Termination” is another in a long line of outstanding songs from a supergroup that, despite being loaded with famed members, manages to fly below the radar for many.
THE AGONIST – “Take Me To Church”
Once fronted by Arch Enemy’s Alissa White-Gluz, this five-piece metal unit out of Montreal, Canada toyed with the idea of replacing White-Gluz with a frontman after her departure in 2014, but quickly realized that it would change the dynamic of the band. After an extensive search, the band discovered American vocalist Vicky Psarakis on YouTube, and the rest (as they say) is history.
For the time being, Psarakis doesn’t get the kind of recognition that some of the more high-profile women of hard rock like Lzzy Hale and Taylor Momsen get, but that’s more a matter of exposure than talent. She is simply stellar in her rangy delivery of “Take Me To Church,” which showcases a gritty edge, a sweetness and a touch of evil with tasteful growls that rival In This Moment’s Maria Brink.
All of the aforementioned bands have more to offer than just a commanding frontwoman, and The Agonist is no exception. With a driving, high-energy, dynamic sound, this band kicks ass from the first note to the last on “Take Me To Church.” Hopefully, this incredibly catchy song is the one that helps the band breakthrough to an even bigger audience with deserved radio play.
ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout
AFTER THE BURIAL – “Lost In The Static”
From their fifth full-length studio release, Dig Deep, “Lost In The Static” has all the elements of a great metalcore/deathcore song. Death metal vocals, a catchy Egyptian riff, heavy breakdowns and djent-like time signatures all come together to make this song a great listen. Sadly, founding member/guitarist Justin Lowe died prior to the release of this album, but a good portion of what was written and recorded by him was preserved for this album. A great deathcore/djent album for fans of the genre.
AETERNAM – “Damascus Gate”
This melodic death metal band from Quebec is back with their third studio album, Ruins of Empires. I admit that I was a bit hesitant at first, but the symphonic elements and technical aspects of this album blew me away. The vocal harmonies and melodies impressed me as well, with the same vocalist belting out death metal growls. The band does a great job mixing symphonic metal with death metal, which makes for an interesting listen.
ROB DELL’AQUILA – HRD Music Scout
DOOMSDAY KINGDOM – “A Spoonful Of Darkness”
Swedish songwriter and bassist Leif Edling is (perhaps) best known for founding and performing with the doom metal band Candlemass. From there he released four albums with Avatarium, and now he is spearheading a brand new (characteristically dark) band. Doomsday Kingdom will release their self-titled debut album at the end of the month.
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS – “Gotham”
Classical singer Kobra Paige founded this Canadian metal band in 2009. On May 12th, they will be releasing their fourth studio album, Prevail I. Kobra has an enthralling voice. If the first releases are any indication, the band will retain their heavy and melodic sound, but with some progressive influences.
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
