So many times I am asked what new bands I like. To be honest for a while there wasn’t much for my personal tastes. Lot’s of aggression but not much in the way of songs. For me if it’s hard rock or metal I MUST like the singer and the music must have some sense of melody to it. It’s one of the reasons I don’t care for death or extreme metal. I can appreciate the energy, but for me, I don’t hear songs and not a fan of “cookie monster” voices. I’ve NEVER faked liking a band because everyone said I should or they were the new hip thing. That trend for me goes all the way back to being a little kid. Which is why I was routinely made fun of for liking bands like Kiss and others when they were very much thought of as “uncool”. But I must say I am very encouraged by some of the new stuff coming down the pike. There is this trend of no nonsense straight up riff based hard rock by a whole new generation of young bands. Essentially bands with members in their 20’s that sound like they are from 1973! Anti Mortem. Scorpion Child, Kyng, Monster Truck, Rival Sons, Witchcraft, and many others have recently peaked my interest. I don’t know which if any will come out of the pack and it’s too soon to see which will develop into truly great bands that stand the test of time. But at a time when hard rock and metal needs a new Appetite For Destruction to kick everyone’s ass and shake things up and help bring back rock, there are some strong signs on the horizon. I am rooting for all these guys and you will hear many on my radio shows sprinkled among the classics. New and classic rock acts still very much needs your help to break through. So keep an eye out for this stuff and spread the word if you like it. Hopefully one of them really hits and puts a charge in a fairly stagnant world lately for new hard rock bands.
What have you heard new you like? As always comments welcomed and encouraged here!
PS: I no doubt forgot others that I like. Perhaps the biggest challenge we have with so much music so available so easily is navigating what’s out there and remembering it! Another reason I still love CDs. Much easier to keep in your line of site when it’s a physical item vs an easily lost download, file or link.
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I just do not see any new band getting huge in this market. Unless you can find artist who can make money in the spotify/pandora world. It is not even about dowloading from itunes or stealing music, it is readily available on spotify(full albums) for free or $10.00 a month, in addition you can get lot of music from youtube, the artist get less than half a penny per hit, it is crazy to think new artist can beat this system and become big. Some would say this is a advantage to new artist, more mefiums to work with and get stuff out, but it will never produce huge success, record business is only interested in the Lady Gagas any and country. But God bless those who find a wat to beat the system.
Go look every year at a lot of the lower end bands that have played SHIPROCKED. they are the bands you are mentioning…. they are the next bands to move up the cycle. Scorpion Child. WILSON. American fangs. DIGITAL SUMMER. crash kings. They all killed this year.
very interesting how much we have in common,every week that passes by I wish more and more i would have gotten into radio with my knowledge just like you. I also have to have melody and am a HUGE sucker for orchestrated metal, wanted to tell you of some KILLER bands: EVERGREY,SONATA ARCTICA,EDGUY,HAMMERFALL,FIREWIND,MERCENARY,AMORPHIS,Kamelot..and Dream Evil just to name a few..melodies,meaningful songs,and great vocals and great music,I too have some issues WITH TOO MUCH DEATH METAL,I have to understand and hear a purpose and get an emotion..but I also LOVE AMON AMARTH,KILLSWITCH etc..etc..now all that being said it started with KISS for me,Iron Maiden of course is my favorite followed by Priest,DIO,Motorhead and so on…please check out these bands I have mentioned..all the best from Ohio
I gotta agree with Todd. There are a ton of great bands across the pond putting out excellent metal and hard rock. Avantasia, Ayreon, Nightwish, Lacrimosa, Delain, Sabaton, Volbeat, and whole slew of other creative bands that NEVER get any airplay in the states. So many people don’t even know what they’re missing with these bands!
would not include Volbeat in that listing, they are doing very well here
Yo, Ed! Have you heard of this Australian hard rock band called Airbourne? They sound a whole like AC/DC!! Check out their songs “No Way But the Hard Way” and their newest “Back In the Game.” You should have them on “That Metal Show” sometime in the near future!
Played them on my radio show and in my year end special
Scorpion Child really kicks ass…great disc! Steel Panther rules!