Project DRIVER was founded in the late 80's and was reformed in 2008. Rob Rock and Roy Z took the chance to release the album "Sons Of Thunder" in 2008 with original drummer Reynold "Butch" Carlson" and seasoned players Ed Roth and Aaron Samson. Now DRIVER is back with a new album "Countdown" that was released recently through RockZilla Records. An album filled with over 25 year old Rock / Metal / AOR roots that are clearly shining through their nowadays music in a timeless way.

All the members of DRIVER have quite a list of experiences and that does show on their album "Countdown". Guess that their experience gave them the ability to make this album sound smooth and polished clean, but also raw, roughened in a Metal / Rock kind of way. And to be honest, the thought of this band playing Black / Death Metal made me giggle. Not that they wouldn't be good at it, because I have no doubt that they would be able to pull it off, but the music on "Countdown" just fits them like a glove, suiting them more than Black / Death Metal ever could.

DRIVER takes a ride with "Countdown", a trip through sensitive songs, catchy in a way that made my inner me sing along. Still it's a bumpy ride too, with cry outs and screaming guitars. Drums and bass are steady rolling ahead, vocals are passionate and so is the guitar work, showing the tour guide "Countdown" story about love and the illusions woven around it.

The album "Countdown" does start very familiar, like the tour guide is pointing out a place once seen. Still there are other regions too where they've been and the tour guide is eager to show. Rob Rock and his vocal abilities are great to listen to and the skilled players he's working with makes this album a masterpiece in its genre. They've combined the old school way with new ways without losing themselves.