On Monday March 13th I published my first blog in two and a half very rough years, then I put the link up on Facebook, both on my personal and my author page. After that, I left it and went on with my week. To my shock and complete delight when I next went on Facebook I saw over one hundred people had liked my post and 25+ had commented. Guys, thank you. I was floored… in a good way. I appreciate you.
Attitude of gratitude- 100%
My last blog was about survivors surviving and the old guard coming up with new tricks. This week we will be looking at new(ish) bands that have caught my attention over the past couple of years. Yes, in the midst of that shit show the music remained.
So, here is the thing. As I tell my kids, I do not want to be the old gal griping about how music was sooooo much better in MY day. No, I want to discover new bands. I want to be the ninety year old at a metal show cheering on the seventy-somethings. As the years unfold we (my generation- as with EVERY generation) lose more and more really good musicians, and actors (looking at you, my lovely Rickman), talent gone far too soon. We lost Ronnie, then Bowie, next Chester, then this past year Vangelis was taken from us. I do not want to put on my Spotify only to listen to dead voices. Yes, I will still love their music, still listen, but I want to find groups that are creating fresh music. I want bands I can go enjoy live. There is nothing like a live concert to set my heart singing.
As with my Face Your Fears blog whose songs were newISH, these bands are not necessarily new per se. They are new to me. And when I say new, I mean since I entered hell and stopped writing. So if you see something from 2015 or earlier, fair enough, not new, but new to me. Hopefully there will be things that you all can pull from and enjoy on your way to work, your hikes, your workouts, whenever you listen to music.
Who’s ready for some fresh tunes??? In no particular order, I give you some new groups to dissect…
And PLEASE, comment! Let me know what you think, who you like and if you have some suggestions I would love to check out your favorites!
Our first band is The Raven Age. If you are a Maiden fan (like me) this name maybe strikes some bells. They opened for Iron Maiden on the Book of Souls tour before the pandemic. Their lead guitar player is one George Harris, yes, son of Steve Harris, and before you scream nepotism, humor me. Check out The Raven Age, then judge. They have a lot of good songs, but this is my favorite Fleur de lis Alternate Version, a bonus track off their album Conspiracy. For me? It is hauntingly beautiful. I love it. Other songs to try are As the World Stood Still and Wait for Me.
And, for comparison’s basis, here is the original version… yes, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Definitely some Maiden inspired moments. Well done, George, well done indeed!
Next I want to draw your attention to The Night Flight Orchestra. This band from Sweden deserves more attention. Founded in 2007 they don’t neatly fit into a specific box- bless them for being human. They are metal-ish, rock-ish, progressive rock-ish. The song I’m highlighting is a live version of Divinyls. I love the passion, the intelligence of this band, not mention the musicianship. Now, to be fair, I have not done a deep dive of these guys yet. That said, this one song justifies their existence. It is excellent! Plus, and this is a total bonus, their lead singer Bjorn Streed wears A CAPE. Yes, I typed it, A CAPE. Chris Squire wore a cape. Chris Squire was cool. I adore a cape. You go, Bjorn! Oh, and honorable mention to the backup singers dressed as flight attendants. Wacky fun!
I’m just a loser in the game of love
I’m just a stray boy in the shade
And how I wish to know what love is like
To find someone to contemplateThere’s a voice and a million answers
To the questions I don’t ask
A demon — I’ve got to contain
When I’m walking through the fen
Gonna deep into the black
There are whispers that I can’t restrainDon’t give in[Chorus:]
Rise to fame — time will come
Make your claim — time has come
For the crow who fly away[Jorn Lande:]
So you’re an angel meant to walk down here
And you believe it’s all divine
And you don’t play by all those temporal rules
Watch the world begin to dieAlright — when the lamb’s been torn to pieces,
I’ve been crashing from the sky
Fallen to care for the pray, they put a spoke right in your wheel
I’m the one to dare the weak, to push you all over the pain
You give in — oh[Chorus][solo: Sascha Paeth][Tobias Sammet:]
I close my eyes and I see what’s coming my way
He’s got treasure in his eyes that he’s gonna turn to clay[Jorn Lande:]
Hm, I’m a stranger, I’m a changer and I’m danger…
Maybe[Tobias Sammet:]
Fallen angel – waiting for the prey
The devil has come to take a maimed away
Penetration of the twisted mind
The evil is out for the weak and blind
I can feel it in your voice
Ever so sweet, no
Do I really have a choice? No, no, no!
[Jorn Lande:]
Oh, you burn your feet on unholy ground
You roam the barren wicked plains abound
In evil eyes and evil speak
About it all your evil freaks
When you say it’s all divine and meant to be
What about your flesh and blood and defires like me?
Their evil eyes are looking down on you
And those who don’t are losing sight of you
Face the rage to chase away
The specter of disgrace and shame
Withered roses dying on the ledge
A withered dreamer standing on the edge
You dream of love but you wake up to pain
You’re better off to join in my game
Then she’ll better off to cry contrite tears
One day she’ll wonder why she had to let you disappear,
Rise to fame — your time has come
Time will come to take the sun
Make your claim – you’re drawn to the sound
Time has come — you’re leaving ground
Rise to fame – the flight of the crow
Time will come – cross the line
Your time has come – for the crow to fly away
It’s a flight to hell
Can you hear the bell
The devil has come
To take your soul away
A flight to hell – alright
I’m a stranger
I’m a changer
And I’m danger
Fallen angel
Waiting for the prey
I hope that perhaps you all can find something among this bevy of beauties that speaks to you. I am so thankful to all these wonderful musicians. They have sustained me, even revived me. Attitude of gratitude- 100%
This post was written by Erika Gardner. She’s a native Californian, lifelong lover of fantastical adventures, and a dedicated Nerd. If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on www.erikagardner.com Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner, “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller.
