Croatian hard rockers Animal Drive are preparing to begin work in earnest on the follow-up album to their stunning debut, "Bite!". To hold fans over while they wait for the band's new album, Animal Drive jumped in the studio to record a covers EP, “Back to the Roots”. The tracklisting includes a super-heavy rendition of Roxette’s “The Look” (featuring the guest vocals of Frontiers labelmate and fellow Trans-Siberian Orchestra artist Rosa Laricchiuta), a magnificent and epic version of Whitesnake’s “Judgement Day”, Skid Row’s “Monkey Business”, and Warrant’s evergreen classic “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” Animal Drive showcase how much musical prowess the band possesses by covering these three hard rock classics and a mainstream '90s hit and completely making them their own.
On why the band chose to cover Skid Row's "Monkey Business", Dino Jelusic says “people used to, and still do sometimes, compare Animal Drive to Skid Row and their "Slave To The Grind" era. That song opens the "Slave To The Grind" album and it’s a monster jam, so it felt like a logical fit. Of the other covers on "Back To The Roots", Jelusic continues, "the other three songs are "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" by Warrant, "Judgement Day" by Whitesnake and "The Look" by Roxette. I've always wanted to cover "The Look" in a heavy way, so it was cool to finally do it. We are big Whitesnake fans and had to go for one of their more epic jams. The Warrant song is one of their absolute best and shows what a great songwriters Jani and the band are, plus it's a great fit for a heavy band to cover."
As for what can fans expect from the next Animal Drive album, Jelusic says, "I more or less have all the songs down. It will be epic, a lot more versatile than the first album, more pianos and orchestra, progressive, but still very heavy and melodic. Probably my finest lyrical and musical work to date."
Animal Drive's debut album, “Bite!” caused quite a stir in the hard rock scene, showcasing for the first time to the world the amazing vocals of Croatian singer Dino Jelusic. Originally formed in 2012 by Jelusic, who is the primary songwriter and driving force behind the band's sound, the band also features guitarist Ivan Keller, bassist Roko Nikolic aka Rokindja, and drummer Zvonimir Mihaljevic aka Zvone. 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. tours. Often compared to the likes of David Coverdale, Russell Allen, Sebastian Bach, and Steve Lee, Jelusic's commanding vocal presence is perfectly matched in Animal Drive's sound by guitarist Ivan Keller's monster riffs and screaming solos, and the thunderous rhythm section of Rokindja and Zvone.
Overall, Animal Drive showed, on their debut album, an impressive range of styles from Whitesnake and Skid Row at their heaviest to more modern hard rock/metal like Avenged Sevenfold and Alter Bridge to touches of progressive rock and metal elements the likes of Dream Theater thrown in the mix. The final result is melodic yet always very much possessing the hard rock "in your face" attitude.
"Back to the Roots” is a great chance to get accustomed with one of the hottest new Hard Rock bands around and if you are a serious fan, this time you can’t go wrong. Enjoy!
TheRighttoRock.com has issued their latest podcast (episode #231), featuring Animal Drive vocalist Dino Jelusic. Dino took time out of his busy schedule to discuss Animal Drive's debut album Bite!, as well as what it is like to be a hard rock band in Croatia. Interview lasts approx. 30 min.
Well it is St. Paddy's day again and you know what that means, our annual visit from rock's most notorious leprechaun, Jose McLucky. Well, if that ain't enough to grab ya, then join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss some of their favorite Irish hard rock and heavy metal bands. Who will they chose as their fave? Tune in to find out. Next the boys chatted with new comers Animal Drive. Ragman checked in with vocalist Dino Jelusic, to discuss the band's debut album Bite!, as well as what it is like to be a member of TSO. This one is not to be missed!
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of ANIMAL DRIVE's debut album entitled "Bite!" on February 23, 2018!
The first track from the upcoming release is "Tower Of Lies (I Walk Alone)" and the official video can be viewed here:
Introduced to the label by the one and only Jeff Scott Soto, ANIMAL DRIVE immediately impressed the label's executives thanks to the singer, Dino Jelusic who had an incredibly commanding presence befitting of the enormous hard rock songs that were being performed. Hailing from Zagreb, Croatia, ANIMAL DRIVE were created in 2012 by singer Dino Jelusic, who is the primary songwriter and driving force behind the band's sound. 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 Soto and which would ultimately lead to them becoming labelmates.
ANIMAL DRIVE's line-up is completed by guitarist Ivan Keller, Roko Rokindja Nikolic on bass, and Adrian Boric on drums. Influenced by legendary bands such as Skid Row (think "Slave to the Grind" era), Whitesnake at their heaviest and with a little progressive rock and metal elements from Dream Theater thrown in the mix, Animal Drive take their listeners on a wild ride of hard rock bombast.
Dino says: "I am more than delighted and excited to present our debut album. I hope the fans can approach our music with curiosity and interest and we hope to come soon in a town near you to Rock your asses off!"
Frontiers has had an ongoing successful working relationship with the one and only Jeff Scott Soto for many years now, so when JSS put a band in front of them and told them they HAD TO HEAR IT, they turned up the volume, leaned back, and awaited what would soon wash over their ears. What immediately stood out was the way the singer had such a commanding presence of the hard rock songs that were being performed. So, a conversation was started and a deal has been struck.
Frontiers Music Srl is now very pleased to introduce the world to ANIMAL DRIVE, a young and driven hard rock band founded in Zagreb, Croatia in 2012 by singer Dino Jelusic, who is the primary writer and driving force behind the band's sound. 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 Soto and which would ultimately lead to them becoming labelmates.
ANIMAL DRIVE's line-up is completed by guitarists Ivan Keller and Alen Luke (who unleash a ferocious twin guitar attack on the listener), Damjan Milekovic on bass, and Adrian Boric on drums. Influenced by legendary bands such as Whitesnake/David Coverdale and SKID ROW with progressive rock and metal elements from Dream Theater thrown in the mix, Animal Drive take their listeners on a wild ride of hard rock bombast.
Dino says: "I am more than delighted and excited to be part of Frontiers' machine, the label that Animal Drive's music can relate to in so many aspects, from classic rock, progressive metal, heavy metal, hard rock... Our music contains everything that Frontiers holds right now, and some of the bands that are our biggest influences are signed to the label, which makes us even more excited. Can't wait to share material we have been working on for almost a year now, and can't wait to kick ass!"
The band's debut album is expected to be released in late 2017/ early 2018 with a tour in support of the release to follow.
