EMIL'S DEEP UNDERGROUND RECOS (part V)
HARD'n'HEAVY Edition
Well, well, well ... what do you know ... a HARD'n'HEAVY edition of Straight Outta Catacombs! Unfortunately, nowadays the softer side of metal and hard rock doesn't seem to be very underground popular, for lack of a better word. In fact, after I started researching Bandcamp for new and excited bands and releases that fitted the style, it became rather evident. So after digging, no, scratch that, excavating for a while, I managed to put together a list of fifteen recommendations, that represent the style very well. Please be prepared to find hard rock, traditional heavy metal, NWOBHM, AOR, some glam metal and even a bit of sleaze metal (for good measures), some softer and some heavier ... hence HARD'n'HEAVY ... Enjoy the music!
Please note: in certain cases albums are reissues, therefore, the Bandcamp release date is being used. Thank you.
RUXT
Back to the Origins
1/10/2019
Liguria, Italy
Third studio by the Italian hard rock band, established in 2016. They mix influences from bands like Gotthard, Dio, Whitesnake, with a deep research of a personal sound. Their previous efforts are: ‘’Behind the Masquerade’’ (2016) and ‘’Running Out of Time’’ (2017). "Back to the Origins" is well composed, produced and executed - a fantastic effort!
WILDRIDER
Rock City Escapades
11/24/2018
Bonn, Germany
The debut full-length, from the self-proclaimed " Germany's hottest Hard Rock Band"! Formed in 2013, WildRider is sure to please a wide range audience: Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake, Steel Panther, Ratt, Dokken, Megadeth, Rainbow, Van Halen, Metallica, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey, Guns 'n Roses. Wild times!
BABYLON SHAKES
Exile to the Velveteen Lounge
2/1/2019
Central Virginia, USA
Refreshing to hear quality sleaze/glam metal in 2019! Cited influences include: Hanoi Rocks, NY Dolls, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, Kiss, Ziggy Stardust, T-Rex and Slade. Armed with infectious songs and gypsy street fashion, this trio of veteran musicians are shaking things up in the mid Atlantic and the rest of the world is up next.
ATLAS
In Pursuit of Memory
9/28/2018
Manchester, UK
Debut album by melodic hard rock band from UK. A labor of love to the influences that shaped the band: from 80s melodic rock icons Toto & Journey, to modern rock era AOR like W.E.T, Work of Art & Eclipse. Fans of Bon Jovi will certainly appreciate.
RAZZMATTAZZ
Hallelujah
2/6/2019
Stuttgart, Germany
The fourth album from the lads that have been thrilling their audiences all over Southern Germany and Switzerland ever since they came together in 2011. Their sound, related to AC/DC, ZZ Top and NWOBHM make hard rock fans of all ages bang their heads. "Hallelujah" won the German Rock and Pop Awards as best hard rock album 2018/2019.
WAKE THE NATIONS
Heartrock
1/25/2019
Aura, Finland
Heart-shaped rock from Finland! The second album from Wake the Nations is loaded with fresh AOR tracks containing a twist of the 80’s melodic hard rock. Some of the band's influences are: TOTO, Mötley Crüe, Journey, KISS, Iron Maiden, Eclipse (Sweden), H.E.A.T, Survivor, Whitesnake, Human Temple, Giant, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Reckless Love. in December 2016, Wake The Nations supported Dynazty during their tour in Finland.
WATCHMEN
Blackout
9/22/2018
Buenos Aires, Argentina
"Blackout" is the third full-length studio album by the Argentinian hard'n'heavy band Watchmen, formed in 2003. The band toured extensively across Latin America and Europe, as guests to acts such as: Richie Kotzen, Jeff Scott Soto, Ted Poley (Danger Danger), Gilby Clarke (ex- Guns N' Roses), Eric Martin (ex Mr. Big), receiving accolades along the way.
CAVEMEN
Beyond The Horizon
2/8/2019
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
The fourth album from the veteran band. For 25 years traveling on the stages in Mittenwald, Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Tyrol and Munich! Melodic yet punchy, varied, guitar oriented hard rock and heavy metal. The band likes: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Accept, The Doors, Foo Fighters, Queen, Metallica, Slayer, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Tenacious D.
LINDHOLM
When The Curtain Falls (EP)
1/24/2019
LINDHOLM
Standing In The Rain (EP)
1/24/2019
Tucson, Arizona, USA
LINDHOLM is an all original American hard rock power trio based in Tucson, Arizona. Formed in the suburbs of Chicago. Their approach to music is hard rock with a modern heavy metal twist. Returning to their roots and bringing some Illinois heavy metal to Arizona.
STRAPON
Last Season
1/18/2019
Riga, Latvia
Untamed rock 'n' roll from Riga. Get ready to buckle up! After traveling a road full of struggles – turned down gigs and festivals, neverending “battles of the bands” and stingy bar owners, a road full of bad gear or none at all - for that is the only way to get around the golden rock city Eldildorado and enter it from the back. They have arrived! Wickedly funny!
GRAND DESIGN
Viva La Paradise
Special Mission
12/7/2018
Västerås, Sweden
Fourth studio album by the Swedish melodic rockers. This is a re-issue of Grand Design album ”Viva La Paradise”. Includes 4 bonus tracks (3 brand new songs and 1 cover), an updated album cover art, digipack, new title, also remixed and remastered! Grand Design is melodic hard rock with choruses that will haunt your mind - all flavored with a 80s sound!
SYRENCE
Freedom In Fire
2/8/2019
Leonberg, Germany
Debut album from the German band, formed in 2008, initially as Epic Fail. After the name change, a few lineup switches, a decade of live performances, an EP and a couple of singles, Syrence recorded "Freedom In Fire" last year, 2018. In the band's own words: Classic Heavy Metal of the 80s right in our time: emotional and honest!
GYPSY
Gypsy
2/1/2019
Sydney, Australia
Debut full-length album from the Australian heavy metal outfit formed in 2015, released on their fourth anniversary as a band. The trio released an EP, in 2016, and a few singles in the following years, while building a following in their home land. Great songs, catchy lyrics, well recorded and produced. Powerful. Electric. Heavy Metal.
TANTRUM
Melt It Down
2/11/2019
Scotland, UK
Formed in 2016, Tantrum settled on the current lineup and set about bringing traditional British heavy metal back to a public force fed on a diet of sanitized radio rock! Staunch believers in the old gods of metal, Tantrum blend hard hitting machine gun drums and pulsating, heart beating bass with screaming twin lead guitars and acrobatic vocal histrionics, all firing together to create anthemic metal crowd pleasers - you'll be singing for days! 80s rock and metal/NWOBHM influences.
SPIRAL WHEEL
Resurrection for Revenge
12/18/2018
Japan/Canada
International traditional heavy metal project from Japan/Canada, established in 2015. "Resurrection for Revenge is the group's debut full-length release. Miles of guitar riffs and very potent singing. Great 1980s overall vibe packaged with a current, fresh sound! For all fans of NWOBHM.
© 2019 by Emil Chiru