michael drive

Fans of Barren Cross, DIO & Iron Maiden are in for a powerful mix of guitar crunching, epic arena-metal… 

I just streamed the Subhuman album from Gale Force. Unfortunately, when I went to add the album, manually via MacBook Pro > iTunes, to my External HD, I had an issue with Big Sur and iTunes (nothing due to the Gale Force download itself)… Took me about 3 hours to resolve this nightmare, which prevented me from writing a fully detailed review. However, I wanted to pen and post this, right away, as I was stoked for this surprise (to me, anyway) release.  

So while listening to Subhuman, penning this, I was able to resolve the iTunes issue, aka restoring / recreating my 35K track, iTunes Library & insanely custom Playlists – Yes! Indeed, I’m a music fan. After that ordeal, makes me think about how much “Streaming” via Apple Music would be so much easier… while true, I wanted to order their physical CD.  

According to www.GaleForceBand.com:  

“Gale Force…is a rushing wind of great talent.  From the highly creative, master guitarist Tracy G (DIO); to the powerful, groundbreaking and innovative lead vocals of Michael Drive, with multi-talented guitarist, producer and mixer Paul Alfery, and a monster on the bass; Randy Oviedo – this band is like no other.  The combination of different writing styles from their different backgrounds has superbly melded together producing an album of songs which sets this group apart.  “Subhuman” is a like a new musical life, born in 2021.  

Subhuman, the January of 2021 independent debut full length of Los Angeles, California based Gale Force, is a time machine in a lot of ways.  As in back to the eighties when classic metal reigned supreme, noting the Gale Force affinity for vigorous vocals, distorted guitars, emphatic rhythms and a dense bass and drum sound.  That said a commercial side rooted in the same time-period also defines Gale Force, revealed in songwriting of a more melodic nature to feature accessible hooks, occasional ballad proclivity and vocals to approach from a smoother standpoint.  Either way, it adds up to a best of both worlds scenario for fans and critics alike!  

Further reinforcing the Gale Force value are some BIG names to grace its lineup.  It begins with vocalist Michael Drive (formerly Mike Lee) of Barren Cross fame, whom continues to highlight his recognizable but powerful Dickinson influenced vocal style.  It would be suffice to suggest he impresses from how he retains his prime form despite the passing of so many years.  It also includes former Dio guitarist Tracy G, referencing his contributions to studio albums Strange Highways (1993) and Angry Machines (1996) not to mention his extensive solo career and well-known Eightball Cholos project entitled Satan’s Whore.  

A band with believing members might be the best manner in which to describe Gale Force, noting the presence of Michael Drive, whom composed all lyrics and in the albums liner notes emphasizes the importance of ‘giving credit to the One who’s due’.  

Opener “Crash & Burn” does a good job revealing the heavier Gale Force side.  One on hand, Drive plays a prevailing role with his commanding, projection filled vocal delivery; on the other, Tracy G sets every bit the vital tone with his brimming rhythm guitar and enthusiastic soloing.  Otherwise, the song stands out as a mid-paced traditional metal stomper with the low-end resonance to match.  Lyric snippet:  

GALE FORCE "Subhuman"  

(c) 2021 Independent Release  

Crash & Burn  
Subhuman  
Master Machine  
Red Line  
Dystopia  
Never Say Goodnight  
Rat Race  
Where Am I Going?  
Fire In The Hole  
Alter Ego  
Riot Act  

Michael Drive--All Vocals  

Tracy G.--Lead Guitars  

Randy Oviedo--Bass  

Paul Alfery--Rhythm Guitars, Keys  

In the 1980s and early 1990s, there was likely no band in the Christian scene that waved the heavy metal flag higher than Barren Cross did.  Not death metal, not speed metal, not thrash, hair, or doom metal.  I'm talking just heavy metal.  Albums such as Rock For The King and Rattle Your Cage, and most notably the band's two biggest, most well-known efforts, Atomic Arena and State Of Control, really showcased a heavy band that delivered with big, screaming guitars, pounding drums, deep, rumbling bass, and a front man who could wail with the best of them, Christian or secular.  Michael Drive (then known as Mike Lee), was the epitome of a heavy metal front man, with a powerful, deep tenor that could shake the rafters if necessary, or drop to a menacing snarl, whatever it took to command your attention.  When Barren Cross was no more, Drive (Lee) could be heard fronting bands such as Bare Bones and Sanxtion, and even trying his hand at a more pop-oriented sound as a solo artist, but never did he really find his musical voice again, in my opinion (although Bare Bones was close).  

During a slightly later period, Tracy G was the screaming guitar voice of Dio, which of course featured one of the most lauded singers in heavy metal history, Ronnie James Dio.  Tracy G (real name Tracy Grijalva) brought to the band a heavy-yet-still-melodic style and helped to forge the sound on what are considered to be two of Dio's heaviest records, Strange Highways and Angry Machines, and he served as the guitar player for the band from 1993-1999.  Much like Drive, however, once his stint with that band was over, the guitar player found himself drifting from project to project, with none of these really catching on in a way that seemed to suit his style or talent level.  

 It seems things have perhaps changed for both men with Gale Force!  

Gale Force has been together as a band for not even two years, yet they have put together a powerful album of metallic hard rock that completely sideswiped me.  Having been a massive fan of both Barren Cross and Dio since...well, since forever, it seems...I was intrigued by the pairing of Drive (who I am certain I will call "Lee" at some point in this review) and Tracy G, and I hoped the results would be a solid start for a new band.  There is no way I was prepared for Subhuman in its totality, however.  

The record kicks off in a big, aggressive way, with "Crash & Burn", which was actually the first song the band wrote together, even before really being a "band".