Drive By Wire - Spellbound (EN)

Drive By Wire already exists since 2006 and they published three long-players namely "Drive By Wire" (2006), "Between Oceans" (2008) and "The Whole Shebang" (2014) so far.

Certainly the Wire which is driven isn't the most straight one. That means that one rather imagines the drive by wire (or strings) happens without any detours. That is not necessarily the case in this music.

For sure there are driving linear desert rockers like "Mammoth" that really bangs in the refrain with wicked bass and interspersed guitars in the strophes and awesome fuzz sound (kind of distortion for guitars that mainly stretch the overtones) . But then "Apollo" follows in contrast and offers only little rock sound with restrained drums and teasingly vocals.

The Stoner genre has a wide range in general. The listener should be prepared for distorted vocals in "Superoverdrive", a space trip in "VanPlan" and also swing rhythm in "Blood Red Moon". There are also bulky songs like "Lost Tribes" and Devils Fool" that are firstly thrilling in the refrain. And finally "Spellbound" that is a sinister and "stoned" end of the album. I don't really like that song.

All this is based on a solid Rock music that almost always appears. The guitars are always present in a accoustic or distorted manner but above all the bass plays the roaring "role" (music). The drums sets the beat solidly but not instrusively. The expressive voice of the female vocalist is in the centre for certain. The voice is harsh and also soft even by the unpolished sound.

Rating:
It is an album of a different kind. There isn't pure emptyness but rather a lot to discover. One who isn't too puristic and has fun to get a few new impressions in the tight rock genre without leaving it completely is well-served.


Rating: 7,5/10

Recommendation: Mammoth