Formed in London in 2010, DRIVEN (consisting of vocalist Adam, guitarists Dave and Bunnypig, bassist Fazz and drummer Hov*) are an honest, hardworking, straight-up metal band. Having already played shows with the likes of Mortad, and not to mention being chosen to play HAMMERFEST, things are definitely on the rise for the 5-piece, and it’s all been helped by the band’s debut EP; “A Breakdown Of Character”, a fantastic first step on the way to bigger and better things.
Opening track “The Fool” is a fine blend of classic metal and southern style groove, an ample amount of brutality in all the right places, balanced nicely with the more melodic parts of the song, there is some fine guitar playing here, solid, commanding drums driving the track behind some equally strong vocal displays. A great introduction indeed. “Silver Lining” gives you next to no time to prepare yourself for its sudden impact, Adam screaming assertively, it’s frantic and fast paced, and then as quickly as it kicks in it relents, ever so briefly, before coming back for round two. It’s a real rollercoaster of a track. “Ghosts” shows the bands tender side, or at least as tender as 5 metal-heads can be, it still has plenty of weight behind it, but isn’t as intense as previous tracks have shown they can be.
“Vacant Throne” returns to the riff heavy groove metal the band seems to pull out of the bag so effortlessly, before final track “Uproar” finishes things off perfectly. Driven have kept the best tracks until the end of the EP and it makes for a really enjoyable listening experience. Phil Kinman has done a brilliant job mixing and producing the EP at MTR Studios and the whole thing has come together very well.
For a first recording, Driven have given us signs that British metal is in safe hands indeed, and also given us further proof (if ever there was any needed) that the current state of heavy music is not only thriving, but has a promising future too. The band plan on releasing their first full album in March of 2014, keep an eye out for it. If this EP is anything to go by, it’s going to be one of those “under the radar” albums that you’ll be gutted you missed. [7]
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drivenuk
Twitter: @drivenband .
*Drummer Hov has since been replaced by Sean, but he gets credit for his contribution to the EP
Opening track “The Fool” is a fine blend of classic metal and southern style groove, an ample amount of brutality in all the right places, balanced nicely with the more melodic parts of the song, there is some fine guitar playing here, solid, commanding drums driving the track behind some equally strong vocal displays. A great introduction indeed. “Silver Lining” gives you next to no time to prepare yourself for its sudden impact, Adam screaming assertively, it’s frantic and fast paced, and then as quickly as it kicks in it relents, ever so briefly, before coming back for round two. It’s a real rollercoaster of a track. “Ghosts” shows the bands tender side, or at least as tender as 5 metal-heads can be, it still has plenty of weight behind it, but isn’t as intense as previous tracks have shown they can be.
“Vacant Throne” returns to the riff heavy groove metal the band seems to pull out of the bag so effortlessly, before final track “Uproar” finishes things off perfectly. Driven have kept the best tracks until the end of the EP and it makes for a really enjoyable listening experience. Phil Kinman has done a brilliant job mixing and producing the EP at MTR Studios and the whole thing has come together very well.
For a first recording, Driven have given us signs that British metal is in safe hands indeed, and also given us further proof (if ever there was any needed) that the current state of heavy music is not only thriving, but has a promising future too. The band plan on releasing their first full album in March of 2014, keep an eye out for it. If this EP is anything to go by, it’s going to be one of those “under the radar” albums that you’ll be gutted you missed. [7]
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drivenuk
Twitter: @drivenband .
*Drummer Hov has since been replaced by Sean, but he gets credit for his contribution to the EP
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