REVIEW : ANIMAL DRIVE --- Bite! (Frontiers Music s.r.l., February 2018)

Animal Drive is a Croatian melodic hard n' heavy band and "Bite!" is entitled its debut album that's gonna be released this February through Frontiers Music s.l.r. The band power point is without any doubt Dino Jelusic's lead vocals. This guy has some really incredible vocal abilities and that's a thing that can be heard in any moment here.

Dino was chosen by the late, great Paul O'Neill to tour as a featured vocalist on Trans-Siberian Orchestra's most recent U.S. tour, which is how he crossed paths with J.S. Soto and which would ultimately lead to them becoming labelmates.

Animal Drive's sound can be described as classic U.S. hard rock (think a mix between Skid Row, House Of Lords and heavier Whitesnake) with some prog. elements, here and there, as well for an extra flavor. As I mentioned above, the band's strongest point are Dino's amazing vocals but that doesn't mean that Animal Drive doesn't include heavy riffs, inspired solos, ass-kickin' drums, attitude and, in general, it is a band that, imho, offers an overall interesting and solid debut.

Highlights here are the Whitesnake-esque "Had Enough", "Hands Of Time", the heavier "Time Machine",  the huge "Father" and the ultimate Rock 'n' Roll hymn "Devil Took My Beer Again".

Mark the end of February on your calendar and go out and grab your copy of Animal Drive's "Bite!" album!!!!!

Rating : 8,5/10