The story of Black River Drive is one of four young rockers from Auckland finding their feet. Their album debut ‘Perfect Flaws’ made some serious waves back in 2010, leaving anticipation of what would come next. After four quiet years ‘Quicksand’ reveals the band have grown artistically, in leaps and bounds. From the very start this album screams ‘big stadiums and big ambition’.

These guys have crafted some soaring uplifting numbers in Doomsday and Grenade, and singer/songsmith Sam Browne is more than capable of backing them up. But there’s more to Black River Drive than just anthemic rock music. The further you dig down the more complexity you find. Many of these songs are driven by some heavy grooving riffs courtesy of guitarist Matt Stone, ably backed by drummer Mike Tan and bassist Russell McNaughton. In the moments when all four are delivering perfectly in unison Black River Drive reveal their true potential. ‘Quicksand’ was recorded at The Sound Emporium in Nashville, with Toby Wright (Alice in Chains, Ozzy Osbourne) producing. Under his tutelage the hooks in these songs have been brought right to the forefront and are stronger than ever. Wright has become an important part in their transformation and this album is a great example of what rock music can achieve today. It can be gutsy and attitudinal but also tender and intelligent.

Quicksand by Black River Drive