10 Best Hard Rock Power Ballads You've Probably Never Heard

Formed in Boston by vocalist and guitarist Danny Malone alongside keyboardist Jack Moran in 1984, Diving For Pearls would go on to release their self-titled debut album in 1989. Despite selling over 200,000 copies in the US alone, it was not a happy ending for this little-known rock band. They were unceremoniously dropped from their label and wouldn’t release anything else until 2005.

When their debut album was re-released in 2011 by Rock Candy Records, the label described it as “one of the most overlooked works” of that era. Listening to hypnotic ballad New Moon demonstrates exactly why this band deserved a lot more attention than they got.

Comprised of elegant guitar work and masterful vocal work from Malone, this track is brimming with rich expression and haunting melodies which make for an enthralling listening experience. Alongside Malone’s velvety smooth sound, a subtle keyboard part adds an uplifting flare to the music as everything gradually builds towards the inevitable climatic guitar solo, which – in keeping with this track’s tone – is powerful yet understated.

Though it may be on the softer side of the hard rock spectrum compared to everything else on this list, New Moon is the most musically fascinating.