Review by Maria Glover for MPM
10 new tracks by one of my favourites? Go on then! What a way to spend a few days in the sunshine.
I love Lowdrive and am constantly trying to get people to have a listen to their debut album. This is band which blends hard rock, alt, grunge, 60s, 70s, psychedelic, stoner and metal into their own distinctive and quite addictive sound.
Quite an achievement, I agree. And one thing you cannot do is try to separate any of the elements from that sound; they are interwoven in such a way so as the create the greatest effect and that creates something much larger than the sum of its parts, bringing life to a new being altogether.
The deeply delicious bass and driving riff of ‘Rise’, and the passion and grit of the raw vocals, leads to an exciting and urgent anthem with a chugging beat. That growl in the vocal is unparalleled but matched with a cavernous rhythm section, and sets the tone of the album perfectly.
Into the Night’ became a favourite of mine on first listen! The repetitive lyrics consume me and I press repeat every time I hear it. I love a deep, gruff vocal and you cant get much lower than this. It’s dark and brooding, overlaid with some lovely licks which add a smoothness and finesse, and it lures me in every single time.
That chugging feeling features heavily through the album, including the almost punk-like ‘All Seeing Eye’ which is a song to be absorbed with my eyes closed, feeling it wash over me.
Blood Sacrifice’ starts with a solid drum beat which is joined one by one to create an absolute wall of awesomeness. Glimpses can be heard of a more melodic and less angst-ridden vocal so you can better visualise the vocal range, but that attitude returns with a punch to the throat in ‘Super Gravity’. A stunning guitar solo and long, low vocal note mark this as one you need to listen to.
Another favourite, ‘Shield Wall’ has the most laid back opening of the album, which leads to a foot stomping beat and that enigmatic and guttural vocal. I need to scream, growl, to release something, anything, such is the force of this track. It’s cathartic and enthralling.
Maybe I’ve seen them a few too many times but I can picture Andy Sawf clear as day, with can in one hand, stood bellowing into the mic, the epitome of cool as ‘Dope Priest’ seizes me. The depth of sound in psych/stoner ‘Chemical Child’ is echoing. The album keeps giving!
The album ends far too quickly with ‘War Cry’; ending strong as always, a rabble-rousing call to arms. I love this band and am so excited that new people will get to discover them. Take a listen and you will be hooked!
The album is available for pre-order, released worldwide on September 8th 2023 via Cargo Records. The vinyl version is being released through Jet Glow Recordings , Italy. Live dates are currently being booked for November along with already confirmed festival appearances at Steel Paws Festival on 9th September and Winter Rocks Festival 1st December both taking place at The Sheffield Corporation.
Lowdrive is :
Andy Sawf – Vocals
John Hodgson – Guitars
Martin Gargalovic – Bass
Mat Washington – Drums
Links:
Bandcamp https://lowdrive.bandcamp.com/album/rise
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lowdrivemusic
Lowdrive – Band Pic ( Taken by Mal Whichalow )
