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[ More Music Reviews ]

Driving Force: All Aboard

Melodic Hard Rock

4.0/5.0

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Pure Steel Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 18.09.2019 | Released: 27.09.2019

Switzerland has given the world its fair share of hard rock and heavy metal bands. Remember Krokus? How about Gotthard? Or the seriously creepy and deviant Celtic Frost? While not so well known, Zurich's Driving Force may be rising star in the Swiss rock scene. Formed in 2008, and despite an ongoing personnel merry-go-round, Driving Force has self-released two LPs and one EP since 2009. Now the band returns with their third long player, All Aboard, getting the push from Germany's Pure Steel Records.

Driving Force

Driving Force is another band that blurs the line between melodic hard rock and heavy metal. To the former, their tunes have plenty of hard rock rhythm and groove wrapped in fine song melody and vocal harmony, then topped off with catchy refrains and slick guitar solos. On the metal side, their twin guitar riffage can be razor sharp, and their bottom end heavy and thundering. It's an essential, tried and true, formula and Driving Force are fine musical craftsman.

Taking a listen, some strong and speedy riff rockers come with The Battle, Sticky Shit Kid, and Like A Weed. Somewhat similar is All Aboard which begins with tasty bass and drum intro before the guitar line arrives. Then riffs rise and the pace quickens. Alternatively, songs like Nemesis and Black Beauty turn more upon riffs over heavy and steady pacing. A ballad arrives with Again where acoustic guitar and vocals lead to a rising anthem with a memorable chorus and the eventual killer guitar solo. Essentially, if you love guitar-forward, metal-infused, melodic hard rock, Driving Force's All Aboard should be put at the top of your play list. Recommended.

The Defiants: Zokusho

Melodic Hard Rock

5.0/5.0

How's your Japanese? Zokusho, in Japanese, means the sequel or the next chapter. Ergo, we have The Defiants latest and second long player, Zokusho. Click on ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you love guitar-forward, metal-infused, melodic hard rock, Driving Force's All Aboard should be put at the top of your play list. Recommended.

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By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]