Groove, lots and lots of groove is what is instantly apparent on the sophomore release Graveyard Dead from the Canadian metal band Death Valley Driver. An album built on swinging grooves and powerful riffs with a throaty swagger that allows one to reminisce to the days of Pantera at their best. Starting off from the opening song 'Black Vein’ the band allows each member to bring their own character to the music and through this it becomes evident that the Southern blues inspired, groove metal they are blasting out comes from the heart and a blue-collar work ethic that punishes the listener.
Death Valley Driver is not a copy of Pantera but an extension in a genre that seems to try to copy them rather than pay homage to them. There will never be another Pantera; with the death of Dimebag the chemistry to make the type of powerful groove metal that they were capable of is gone. Lots of bands have tried to fill those shoes and failed, but Death Valley Driver has come the closest, in my opinion, to bringing that dirty, blue-collar grove back to metal and this is obvious on the title track of the album 'Graveyard Dead' as well as stand-outs 'Ice Serpent', which to me also pays a little homage to Amon Amarth as well, and the outstanding 'Smoke Whip'.
Let’s take a second and look at the title song from the album as I feel it epitomizes everything else on the album and if it were the only song you heard from this band it would instantly reveal to you who they are. The song starts off properly with a short drum intro right into the recurring and main groovy riff of the song. After the intro it morphs into a groovy, almost sludgy chorus that allows the listener to take in the power and finesse of these fine players. The throaty, growling vocals do nothing else but make the listener believe that what these guys are playing and singing is serious and one should pay attention. Of course you don’t have much choice but to pay attention as this song already has you by the throat and is ready to punch you in the face. The guitars on this song are outstanding and even though they are not flashy they move the groove with an appropriate aggression. Finally, you can’t have appropriate groove without rhythm and the combination of drummer Ryan P Gallant and bassist Adam Praught on bass, who thankfully are easily heard in the mix, make this song stronger and more accessible than any other on the album. As I said before, this song epitomizes what Death Valley Driver is about.
Take the time out of your day and listen to one of the strongest groove metal albums to come along in a long time, maybe since the breakup of Pantera. Death Valley Driver has honed in on a sound in their sophomore release that will ingratiate them with the stingiest of heavy metal fans and they will leave you wanting more. The album is out now and believe me when I tell you it is worth your hard earned money to buy this album. You will not be sorry.
Until later, Peace!
