Search - Driver :: Sons of Thunder

22 years after the "M.A.R.S." Project, "Driver" awakens...

Nikiforos V. Skoumas | Athens Greece, Cambridge UK | 10/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PAST

In 1986 renowned metal masters Tommy Aldridge (D), and Rudy Sarzo (B) joined forces with then newcomers Tony McAlpine (G) and Rob Rock (V) to record an album for Mike Varney's "Shrapnel Records" label. Although an uncompromising effort by all means, "M.A.R.S.: Project Driver", as it was named after the initials of the member's names, sold poorly subsequently causing the band to split up.



MORE PAST

In 1989 (according to interview*), after leaving the "Joshua" group, Rob Rock decided to use "Driver" as the name of the new band he put together with guitarist Roy Z ( later claiming fame as producer of "Halford" and B. Dickinson). Bad luck again, as the band was swept under the grunge carpet merely delivering a demo tape and few live shows.



PRESENT

2008- 6 new songs plus the original 6 re recorded put together this, the "Driver" debut "Sons of thunder". Rock reunites with Roy, both of them joined by Butch Carlson (D), Ed Roth (K) and Aaron Samson (B).



From the impressive intro "Titans of Speed", you might recognize the opening track "Warrior", (the one Rock used to play on stage with "Impellitteri") to the bombastic "Sons of Thunder" this is a furious heavy metal/ hard rock album. Of course, never forgetting "Winds of March", this is a firestorm of a song, probably standing as this album's strongest moment.



FUTURE

If you decide to buy this album, play it while driving your car; there is something about the rhythm guitar fills, riffs and drum patters which, believe it or not, deliver the perception of motion and kinetics, as if each song is a road trip, a race, a joyride.





"Power Play" UK magazine (issue 102) marks this album with 7/10 commenting: "Soaring melodies and belting choruses sit well within a tight framework of catchy yet provocative inflections."



"Classic Rock" UK magazine (issue 125) marks this album with 6/10 commenting: "Songs in dramatic clocks of overblown arpeggios".









*Interview generated from "Power Play" UK magazine (issue 102)"