Review Summary: Cold Driven expand on their ideas to produce a consistently good rock album. A ‘Set In Stone’, Version 2.0
Cold Driven is:
Billy Nickell- Vocals
Dennis Nickell- Bass
Shane Bouthillier- Rhythm Guitar
Ben Bouthillier- Lead Guitar
Jeremy McLachlan- Drums
Canadian rockers
Cold Driven essentially release
Set In Stone II. Although the albums were released two years apart the ideas are noticeably similar. From lyrical themes to their instrumental sound
Cold Driven have shown that not only are they consistent over the length of their album, they are also consistent record to record. Cold Driven’s
Steel Chambers is their second full-length studio release and while it has many of the same traits as their debut album, almost no appeal is lost in comparison between the two.
On a first listen it could be assumed that
Cold Driven is your run of the mill alternative rock group. But after a couple more listens, it will be noticed that there is something that separates them from the countless others that have fed off the popularity of acts like Breaking Benjamin and Nickelback.
Steel Chambers takes advantage of thoughtful musicianship that neither tries to impress or captivate the listener but when the music is put together it creates a thoroughly enjoyable listen. It could be said that Cold Driven has become such a tight nit, well executing group because they consist of brothers and a close friend.
While
Steel Chambers is pretty consistent, there are some moments that do not have the same impact on the listener. These filler tracks such as ‘The Crutch’ and ‘Cries Become the Silence’ may not directly lower the play back value of the album, but listeners may feel their fingers stray towards the ‘skip’ button in order to get to the better tracks. With these tracks, the album suffers slightly and some of the play back value is lost.
Steel Chambers shows that each member knows what they are doing; They combine each part intelligently and creatively to maintain the listeners’ attention. Unfortunately there is a distinct lacking of solo work which would have added that extra glow to an already solid sound base. Adding a solo or three to the album would’ve created a more enjoyable and interesting listen. The rhythm work of brothers Shane and Ben take centre stage and their grove laden riffs have a very balanced timing pattern that is accented by the bass and drum work over the length of the album.
Cold Driven have neither progressed nor regressed from their debut release
Set In Stone.
Steel Chambers shows the same standard of musicianship found on the debut record with only a minimal change in the lyrical content.
Steel Chambers is a consistently great album with only a couple of filler tracks to bring its quality down.
Steel Chambers is a welcome addition to anyone searching for something different in the rock genre.
Recommended Tracks:
• Heavier Than Heaven
• Cruel Intentions
• Worthy Among Worthless
• March Out of Line
