Driven
We were recently put onto the debut record, A Breakdown Of Character, from Harrow based Driven, to see what we thought of things. Drawing influence from the likes of the prog stylings of Dream Theater and the power of Pantera, these guys are setting out to take over the world with their own take on modern metal. Based on this, I figured it was about time I hit play to see what the record sounded like for myself!
Opening with The Fool it’s immediately clear that this is going to be a high octane ride, a sense of distortion and power immediately taking the lead as the track opens with pounding drums and some insane riffing, it’s a start that’s going to get you moving. Ushering in the vocals to take the lead, the track continues to take an unorthodox approach to metal, offering up differing time signatures, moments which will sit you back and enough power to keep even the heaviest fans listening. Despite the all out power of the track there’s also a real sense of melody running through things, keeping the track accessible and easy to listen to throughout. Personally, I reckon that this is going to be a track which finds its full force on the road, the sort of track which is going to get venues pumping, fans converted and people talking about when they saw Driven, a great opening to an EP for sure! The Silver Lining comes up next and immediately shows of the Pantera comparison was fair – opening with a slamming riff before pulling back for a more restrained chorus – it’s a mix which keeps the track alive, moving and once again something which you want to listen to. Fast paced, intricate and full of lead guitar hooks, this is a track which stands out as a serious high point on the record, and one which I would highly recommend you check out if you get the chance!
Ghosts seems to mark a change in the progression of the record, this time pulling back from the all out power approach and offering up a more intricate, melodic and soft track for consideration. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a soft track though, the acoustic guitar lines combine with the bass and vocals to once again form a hard hitting track, all before the distortion is ushered back in once again. Combining the hard and soft approach with aplomb throughout, this is another track which suggests that Driven are a band to keep a serious eye on, the sort of band that have got the potential to appeal to a wide ranging audience, and the sort of band we’re going to be seeing a lot more of. Vacant Throne once again backs this idea up, launching us into a rolling melee of hammering drum lines, powerful bass rhythms and roaring guitar lines. Harking back to the glory days of metal musically, the feeling of this track may well be of classic metal yet the sound is more updated, more powerful, and more refined throughout. The result, another track which stands out as a highpoint on the record, and one which people are going to beg the band to play live.
Closing with Uproar the record finishes as it began, fast paced, distorted, powerful and in your face. Full to the brim with rolling drums, melodic vocals and moments which are going to hook you in and keep you listening, the final track may well close the EP but it sets things up for what is to follow perfectly. They say you should always leave your audience wanting more, and that’s what they’ve done here, finishing on a track which is another serious high point on the record but still leaves you wanting to hear more, wanting to go through it all again and knowing that no matter how many times you listen to it, it’s still going to sound as fresh as the first time.
I wasn’t sure about Driven on paper as the comparisons seemed so far apart, but listening to them now I realise exactly where they come from, the band have combined a sense of power with a refined and intricate edge, something few bands can combine. As a debut EP this is damned impressive, and leaves me questioning how they’re going to follow it – definitely a band to keep an eye out for!
To find out more about Driven, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls.
Opening with The Fool it’s immediately clear that this is going to be a high octane ride, a sense of distortion and power immediately taking the lead as the track opens with pounding drums and some insane riffing, it’s a start that’s going to get you moving. Ushering in the vocals to take the lead, the track continues to take an unorthodox approach to metal, offering up differing time signatures, moments which will sit you back and enough power to keep even the heaviest fans listening. Despite the all out power of the track there’s also a real sense of melody running through things, keeping the track accessible and easy to listen to throughout. Personally, I reckon that this is going to be a track which finds its full force on the road, the sort of track which is going to get venues pumping, fans converted and people talking about when they saw Driven, a great opening to an EP for sure! The Silver Lining comes up next and immediately shows of the Pantera comparison was fair – opening with a slamming riff before pulling back for a more restrained chorus – it’s a mix which keeps the track alive, moving and once again something which you want to listen to. Fast paced, intricate and full of lead guitar hooks, this is a track which stands out as a serious high point on the record, and one which I would highly recommend you check out if you get the chance!
Ghosts seems to mark a change in the progression of the record, this time pulling back from the all out power approach and offering up a more intricate, melodic and soft track for consideration. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a soft track though, the acoustic guitar lines combine with the bass and vocals to once again form a hard hitting track, all before the distortion is ushered back in once again. Combining the hard and soft approach with aplomb throughout, this is another track which suggests that Driven are a band to keep a serious eye on, the sort of band that have got the potential to appeal to a wide ranging audience, and the sort of band we’re going to be seeing a lot more of. Vacant Throne once again backs this idea up, launching us into a rolling melee of hammering drum lines, powerful bass rhythms and roaring guitar lines. Harking back to the glory days of metal musically, the feeling of this track may well be of classic metal yet the sound is more updated, more powerful, and more refined throughout. The result, another track which stands out as a highpoint on the record, and one which people are going to beg the band to play live.
Closing with Uproar the record finishes as it began, fast paced, distorted, powerful and in your face. Full to the brim with rolling drums, melodic vocals and moments which are going to hook you in and keep you listening, the final track may well close the EP but it sets things up for what is to follow perfectly. They say you should always leave your audience wanting more, and that’s what they’ve done here, finishing on a track which is another serious high point on the record but still leaves you wanting to hear more, wanting to go through it all again and knowing that no matter how many times you listen to it, it’s still going to sound as fresh as the first time.
I wasn’t sure about Driven on paper as the comparisons seemed so far apart, but listening to them now I realise exactly where they come from, the band have combined a sense of power with a refined and intricate edge, something few bands can combine. As a debut EP this is damned impressive, and leaves me questioning how they’re going to follow it – definitely a band to keep an eye out for!
To find out more about Driven, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls.