Earth Drive - Light Codes (Album Review)

Release Date: September 23rd 2024. Record Label: Raging Planet. Format: CD/Digital/Vinyl

Light Codes - Track Listing:

1.The Bridge 07:58

2.True Passage into the void 06:09

3.Psychoid 07:54

4.Four levels of consciousness 05:43

5.Omega Point 06:00

6.Light Codes 02:56

7.Home 05:42

Members

Sara Antunes (vocals)

Sebastião Santos (drums) 

Fernando Matias (bass)

Hermano Marques (guitar and vocals)

Review

Psychedelic Doomsters Earth Drive return with their fourth album Light Codes which continues their style of Spaced Out Heaviness that’s powered with a modern day Progressive Rock and Stoner based energy which has served them well within their previous albums. The music is perhaps more soulful and ethereal on Light Codes with Sara’s vocals leading with a 90’s Alt Rock/Grunge attitude which gives the album a deft emotional core within the lyrics and how the band deliver their music especially on the opening track The Bridge.

Earth Drive has some wonderfully subversive Ambient Noises and Psychedelic movements with the sludgy undercurrent propelling the band into heavier waters. The music can be quite GOTHIC sounding in places which comes into play within the stunning second track The Passage Into The Void without compromising their dominant Cosmic Doom/Stoner Metal spirit. There’s a deep spiritual connection hidden within the lyrics and the more opaque grunge attitude that becomes crystal clear when the song transforms into a more confident Alt Metal swagger.

The album does allow Earth Drive to delve into areas of Stadium Rock and Commercial Rock/Metal in places which is no bad thing especially when the mainstream style of music is giving a gloriously heavy 21st Century underground Doom/Stoner Rock makeover which the rest of the album aligns itself to on tracks such as Psychoid, Four Levels Of Consciousness, Omega Point and Home. This isn’t surprising from Earth Drive as they’ve always tried their hand incorporating different genres of music into their own creative identity on previous records. The main thing is that Earth Drive continues to excel at playing highly complex Progressive musical structures and highly melodic grooves that shine a light at how highly talented the band really is.

Lead vocalist Sara may be at the forefront of Earth Drive but she’s brilliantly supported by Sebastião on Drums, Fernando on Bass and Hermano on Guitar/Vocals who prove their worth with sublime instrumental and progressive musical passages throughout the album. With excellent production values being heard and felt from the very start, Light Codes is an absolutely stunning record that features some of the best music the band have written to date.

Earth Drive has the potential to become even more well known and play some of the most prestigious festivals and stages the Doom/Stoner Metal scene currently has to offer.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

www.earthdrive.pt
www.earthdrive.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/earthdrivesound
www.youtube.com/@EarthDriveSound
www.instagram.com/earth.drive.sound

Psych Stoner Rockers EARTH DRIVE Release New Song/Video For THE BRIDGE From Upcoming New Album

"The Bridge" is the second single from Earth Drive's fourth album LIGHT CODES, that will come out on September 23rd under the Raging Planet label.

"We often look for a bridge. Whether inside us or outside. Something that makes us reach a point that connects us to another location, whether physical or not.

"The Bridge" is the second single from Earth Drive's new album and addresses processes of transmutation and full confidence in crossing a bridge between a reality of false security, old habits, patterns and limiting beliefs to a new reality where the unknown is embraced with a deep belief in a new time of experiences of rebirth and growth. “The Bridge” symbolizes the duality and conflict between the comfort of the known and the uncomfortable challenge of the unknown.

Overcoming the fear of the unstable cloudiness of the waters that surround this “bridge”, a ritual begins that interconnects perfectly with “True passage into the void” (first single) through a sonic “tail” that embraces the two themes, uniting them. equally, in the concept and theme that continues throughout the rest of the work."

Biography

Earth Drive are characterized by their dense, melodic, visceral and cathartic sound.

In addition to its weight, the band has a strong atmospheric component, hypnotic and meditative textures adorned by a charismatic, engaging, deep and captivating female voice.

Spatial and ritualistic atmospheres create a unique aesthetic, making his work a surprising inner journey that must be experienced.

The Portuguese band formed in 2007 and played in several prestigious spaces and festivals in the underground scene, such as Reverence Valada Festival, Under the Doom IV Edition, VOA Heavy Rock Festival, Woodrock Festival, Stonefest, Sons no Montijo and Sunburst Festival; having shared stages with national and international bands such as Sasquatch, Crippled Black Phoenix, Sisters of Mercy, Steak, Glowsun, Radar Man from the Moon, Wet Cactus, Spectral Haze, Ecstatic Vision, UHF, Keep Razors Sharp, My Master the Sun, Sinistro , It was the Elf, Basalto, The Black Wizards, Stones of Babylon, Desert Smoke, Son of Cain, The year, Marbles, Moes Implosion, Earth Electric, Wells Valley, Process of Guilt, Vircator, Asimov, Inhuman, among other great ones bands.

Earth Drive were honored with the 2017 Alternative Metal Album of the Year award with Stellar Drone by World of Metal magazine (issue #13 page 174), and in 2020 Helix Nebula was the No. 1 album in the Experimental Psych Rock category by the same magazine .

The band earned a prestigious mention in LOUD! magazine. “One of the most brilliant projects of the current national underground” - José M. Rodrigues | LOUD! nº 202. Helix Nebula was also on the best albums lists of several magazines such as Metal Hammer Portugal, Time for Metal and HellHeaven.

3 albums were released via Raging Planet: Planet Mantra in 2015, Stellar Drone in 2017, Helix Nebula in 2020.

At this moment the band is preparing to release its fourth album. Light Codes will be released on September 23rd under the Raging Planet label and features Fernando Matias on bass who joined the band in 2023.

Currently Earth Drive are Sara Antunes (vocals), Sebastião Santos (drums), Fernando Matias (bass) and Hermano Marques (guitar and vocals).

Career Highlights

Earth Drive were honored with the 2017 Alternative Metal Album of the Year award for “Stellar Drone” by World of Metal magazine (issue #13 page 174), and again in 2020 “Helix Nebula” was the #1 album in the Experimental category Psych Rock by the same magazine

The band earned a prestigious mention in LOUD! magazine. “One of the most brilliant projects of the current national underground” - José M. Rodrigues | LOUD! nº 202. “Helix Nebula” was also on the best albums lists of several magazines such as Metal Hammer Portugal, Time for Metal and HellHeaven.

Thanks to EARTH DRIVE for all of the info

Links

www.earthdrive.pt
www.earthdrive.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/earthdrivesound
www.youtube.com/@EarthDriveSound
www.instagram.com/earth.drive.sound

Psych Stoner Rockers EARTH DRIVE Release New Song/Video For TRUE PASSAGE INTO THE VOID From Upcoming New Album

The Portuguese band Earth Drive is back with a new album, four years after the release of their acclaimed sophomore record “Helix Nebula” in 2020.

To mark the announcement, the band released a first single on March 20. "True passage into the void" is the chosen song where the band continues to practice a sound that is distinguished by its unique aesthetic.

The song takes us to topics of cosmic transcendence and the evolution of the human being, after a deep journey into the void and his way back to an authentic expression of the self.

We can appreciate this first single through the lyric video edited by Hermano Marques.

This new studio record will be published by the prestigious Portuguese record label Raging Planet in 2024 on a date to be announced. 

“Light Codes” is the album title to succeed “Helix Nebula”, highly applauded by the public and highlighted by the national and international press, deserving excellent reviews at the time. 

The new album was recorded at The Pentagon Audio Manufacturers, ARMA (Audio Recordings Music & Art) and BKK by Fernando Matias, who was also responsible for the mixing and mastering of this work."

You can view the new video below for True Passage Into The Void.

Biography

The Alternative Heavy Psych Rock band EARTH DRIVE is characterized by a visceral and cathartic heavy sound.

In addition to its power and volume, the band has a strong atmospheric component with hypnotic and meditative textures adorned by a charismatic, engaging, deep and captivating female voice.

Spatial and ritualistic atmospheres create a unique aesthetic, making Earth Drive a remarkable experience to let us flow and travel within ourselves.

The Portuguese band formed in 2007 and went through several prestigious venues and festivals from the underground scene and shared stages with national and international bands such as Sasquatch, Crippled Black Phoenix, Sisters of Mercy, Steak, Glowsun, Radar Man from the Moon, Spectral Haze, Wet Cactus, Ecstatic Vision, Isaak,UHF, Keep Razors Sharp, My Master the Sun, It Was the Elf, Sinistro, The Black Wizards, Stones of Babylon, Desert Smoke, Son of Cain, Marbles, Moes Implosion, Earth Electric, Wells Valley, Process of Guilt, Vircator, Asimov, Inhuman, among other great bands.

One Ep and two albums were released via Raging Planet: EP “Planet Mantra” in 2015, LP “Stellar Drone” in 2017, LP “Helix Nebula” in 2020, with recognized merits from the national and international underground press and was also worthy of excellent reviews.

Career Highlights

Earth Drive were honored with the 2017 Alternative Metal Album of the Year award for “Stellar Drone” by World of Metal magazine (issue #13 page 174), and again in 2020 “Helix Nebula” was the #1 album in the Experimental category Psych Rock by the same magazine

The band earned a prestigious mention in LOUD! magazine. “One of the most brilliant projects of the current national underground” - José M. Rodrigues | LOUD! nº 202. “Helix Nebula” was also on the best albums lists of several magazines such as Metal Hammer Portugal, Time for Metal and HellHeaven.

Members

Sara Antunes

Sebastião Santos

Fernando Matias

Hermano Marques

Links

www.earthdrive.pt
www.earthdrive.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/earthdrivesound
www.youtube.com/@EarthDriveSound
www.instagram.com/earth.drive.sound

Introduce Yourselves: EARTH DRIVE

What is the name of your band?

EARTH DRIVE

What is the genre of music that you play?

Alternative heavy psych rock,

Can you give a brief history of the band of how it came together and where it is today?

The Portuguese band formed in 2007 and went through several prestigious venues and festivals from the underground scene and shared stages with national and international bands such as Sasquatch, Crippled Black Phoenix, Sisters of Mercy, Steak, Glowsun, Radar Man from the Moon, Spectral Haze, Wet Cactus, Ecstatic Vision, Isaak,UHF, Keep Razors Sharp, My Master the Sun, Sinistro, The Black Wizards, Stones of Babylon, Desert Smoke, Son of Cain, Marbles, Moes Implosion, Earth Electric, Wells Valley, Process of Guilt, Vircator, Asimov, Inhuman, among other great bands.

One Ep and two albums were released via Raging Planet: EP “Planet Mantra” in 2015, LP “Stellar Drone” in 2017, LP “Helix Nebula” in 2020, with recognized merits from the national and international underground press and was also worthy of excellent reviews.

The band will release another full record in 2024 and we can share also that the band will release one single on March 20.

What can people expect from your music?

People can expect one authentic expression of our artistic personalities through this kind of heavy music. We always aim to express content that can raise awareness about mental health topics and human development.

Earth Drive is characterized by a visceral and cathartic heavy sound.

In addition to its power and volume, the band has a strong atmospheric component with hypnotic and meditative textures adorned by a charismatic, engaging, deep and captivating female voice. Spatial and ritualistic atmospheres create a unique aesthetic, making Earth Drive a remarkable experience to let us flow and travel within ourselves.

What is the best release that folks should check out from your band?

Maybe this new single that will be out this March 20 and then you can check out our previous 2020 record “Helix Nebula”

Where can people find you on Social Media?

www.earthdrive.pt
www.earthdrive.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/earthdrivesound
www.youtube.com/@EarthDriveSound
www.instagram.com/earth.drive.sound