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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Eddie, yes those bands sound great and so do Last Vegas, Middle Class Rut, Black Stone Cherry and Hotel Diablo BUT I am BEYOND 100% positive that THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER resurgence of rock EVER AGAIN. Not just because it is doubtful that any band can reach the mastery of Appetite for Destruction but mostly because ROCK NEEDS MAINSTREAM SUCCESS TO EVEN MAKE THE TYPE OF IMPACT YOU ARE IMPLYING. This will not happen because rap/hip hop/whatever has unfortunately done to rock music what grunge did to “hair metal” (yes, I hate that title too). It has KILLED IT.
Even if you attempt to make an argument or hold out hope that “all it takes is one band/album” – it still will not change anything ever – think about the current generation. They do not even know what an electric guitar is, their entire culture, scope, rationale and understanding is hip hop driven. (YOU HINT AT THIS WHEN YOU PLAY A SONG THAT WAS SHOCKINGLY IN STRONG ROTATION ON MTV BACK IN THE DAY!!)
What you and all have never mentioned or even thought about are the SOCIETAL FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE IN PLACE TO BIRTH THIS TYPE OF MUSIC. Whether those factors help or exist for this rock music to rally against – it just won’t ever happen. EVER AGAIN. So enjoy these new bands but nothing will replace celebrating ALL that have truly flourished in the heyday of rock/hard rock/ metal.
Hey Eddie, we are the same age and grew up in the same era, as well as sharing the same passion for music. I grew up on zep and purple and continued on to maiden and Metallica. For my money, Monster Truck is the band that carries the torch.
Yes the blackdeath the classic heavy metal band does have new studio record comng out soon its an ep caled fear of thr ghost .with all new band line up,we are not a nee band coming put nee nee music with neew musicians in this band will be performing sooon and soon with eric john and new leadguitarist ,
Hi Eddie. I love that you’re still interested in newer bands. I’m liking Scorpion Child and Kyng which you mentioned. With respect to melodic vocals, I’m really into Iron Savior. Piet Sielck’s vocals are huge and he has several songs that could be anthems. The don’t have that “video gamey” like sound that some European power metal bands do. “Burning Heart” is their new video, and it rules! However, they may not be considered a younger band. Someone in the comments mentioned St Louis. Will the Thrill (named after front-man Willie Aguilar) has a great 80’s like album out called Thanks for Your Support and a second one on the way. His band is heavily influenced by Steve Vai, Dokken, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, some punk etc. I’ve known their singer for a long time, so I may be biased towards them. That having been said, I think you’d really like them. Evoked is a younger band from Wisconsin. They have some British heavy metal influences, old-school thrash influences, and they mix melodic vocals and screaming. Check out their song “Back to the Front” on Reverbnation (not a Metallica cover). This one has some melodic vocals and some killer guitar riffs! \m/
Eclipse (Sweden) – they’re not “new”, been around a little while – but “Bleed & Scream” is a must listen to album if you like you like melody & chorus’s that just get lodged in the head. Really looking forward to them getting back in the studio for the next album.
Eclipse–Wake Me Up!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOr_fMznk6E
The entire album is a rip snorter of a record! Defy someone not to get Wake Me Up or something else off the album stuck in their head! Really good record – tis in my top 10 all timer list already. My 3 year old demanded it on in my car every trip for the past year (finally managed to get him to pick something else this past month… we’re onto Whitesnake or Stratovarius now…)