· HARD DRIVER - FREEDOM MACHINE (GYR156) ·

::T R A C K S::

01. FREEDOM MACHINE
02. RIDE TO LIVE
03. MR. HIGHWAY
04. LIVE FOR BETTER DAYS
05. MOJO MAN
06. TOUGH GAME
07. LONG WAY
08. ELECTRIC RIDE
09. PRIDE
10. PRICE TO PAY
11. FALLING


FORMAT: Audio CD / 4 PANEL WALLET
GYR156 - $13.99

Awesome debut studio disc by this excellent riff-heavy guitar rock band from Greece. Includes 11 tracks of bad-ass, killer, blues-based, retro-sonic, heavy guitar power trio riffage that rocks hard with outstanding six string excellence. Riding high & loud with a way-kool Biker Rock theme, Hard Driver is primed & ready to Keep the Rock alive with their premium brand of ass-kickin', muscular, hard rockin', guitar-fueled, power trio mojo.

Hard Driver features the impressive, kick-ass, six string skills of Stavros Papadopoulos on guitar & vocals. Stavros is a good musical brother of the Grooveyard who also plays guitar in the following bands: Super Vintage, Freerock Saints and Universal Hippies. Brother Stavros is a legit, modern day, axeslinger riff:master + mojo:man who speaks the guitar rock truth complete with an "old school" style & vibe. The man is an authentic, prolific guitar rock animal who produces & delivers the "Riffage That Matters." Hard Driver also features the powerful rhythm section of Jim Petridis on Bass & Chris Lagios on Drums, both excellent players who lay down phat & sassy grooves that land rock solid and will kick your ass into the next County. The end result hits hard and is "All About The Rock."

Loud guitars & fast motorcyles rule in the world of Hard Driver. Highly Recommended to fans of Super Vintage, Freerock Saints, Universal Hippies and all other world-class, top-shelf, memorable, blues-based, heavy guitar rock music. Crank up the Volume and Prepare to Rock with Hard Driver on the essential "Freedom Machine" disc.


MP3 Sample Clips

01. FREEDOM MACHINE
02. RIDE TO LIVE
03. MR. HIGHWAY
04. LIVE FOR BETTER DAYS
05. MOJO MAN
06. TOUGH GAME
07. LONG WAY
08. ELECTRIC RIDE
09. PRIDE
10. PRICE TO PAY
11. FALLING

PHYSICAL GROOVEYARD DISCS RULE IN THE GUITAR ROCK WORLD.
WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE AS "OLD SCHOOL" MUSIC COLLECTORS
WITH THE PHYSICAL DISCS THAT WE PRODUCE AND RELEASE.
SCORE YOUR COPY @ THE "ADD TO CART" BUTTON ABOVE.

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UNIVERSAL HIPPIES
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· reviews ·

Hard Driver is the classic heavy rock outlet for Greek guitar wizard Stavros Papadopoulos. Like Gus G (Firewind, Ozzy) and Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars), Papadopoulos thrives when working on a colorful array of projects that give him creative satisfaction. Joined by rhythm section Jim Petridis (bass) and Chris Lagios (drums), both of Universal Hippies, the power-trio make an impressive debut in Freedom Machine. For Hard Driver, it’s all about the almighty riff - big, fat, chunky riffs. It’s also about the open road, motorcycles and loud guitars. Opening track "Freedom Machine" blasts like a cannon with the rhythm section galloping headlong into a sonic attack. It has the lyric line "I gave all I had for my need, my highway queen", which kinda sums the whole disc up. Look at the song titles: "Ride To Live", "Mr. Highway", "Long Way", "Electric Ride" and "Falling" all pointing to one direction. Ya know what you’re gonna get with these boys and they do not let you down.

The usual suspects are mixed in the influence bag including Nugent, ZZ Top, and James Gang. Yet, there are some surprises like "Live For Better Days" which leads with a sexy groove textured with a hook chorus and Papadopoulos furious solos. The guitarist’s vocals are finely suited for rough and ready rock (think Billy Gibbons, Ronnie Van Zant and Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty) with just enough gravel and soul to sell an outlaw biker image. It’s the voice and guitar licks that make "Tough Game spring to life with just a hint of UFO in the refrain. Heavy hitters "Mojo Man", "Pride" and before mentioned instrumental "Electric Ride" explode from the speakers as the guitar chugs in synch with the bass and drum for a nostalgic Trower/Hendrix/Mahogany Rush workout. Deep cut "Price To Pay" deserves its day as one of the record’s true monster tracks. A drifter’s tale with guitar punch and rhythmic blast, it recalls classic ‘70s hard rock complete with an ebb and flow dynamic and rapid-fire solos. The production is dry and simple keeping the focus on heavy with an addictive hook.

Todd K. Smith / The Electric Beard (October 2017)
 


Yes, he's at it again. Greece's Stavros Papadopoulos positively exploding onto the blues rock scene since he and his band Super Vintage teamed up with Grooveyard Records. He's also a driving force in Freerock Saints and the new album from Universal Hippies has barely stopped spinning in the player as Hard Driver revs round the corner with a biker rock blues boost. Featuring the same trio who make up those damn Hippies, Papadopoulos is joined once more by the bass bonanza brought by Jim Petridis and drum thunder of Chris Lagios.

It would appear no matter what this trio of hard riffing, groove driving dudes lay down, they are masters of the arts. Their "Freedom Machine" heading out on the highway and looking for adventure with such a cutting edge that I'm amazed this silver machine hasn't slashed its own tyres. If you haven't guessed, the loose theme here is throwing a leg over the saddle and kicking the engine into gear, "Ride To Live", "Mr. Highway" and "Electric Ride" all hitting the road at speed and leaving thick, black groove infused tyre marks on the asphalt. The fuel for this hard rocking, top speed road trip? Well, the frets of Papadopoulos, of course, the man ripping and snorting out a gaggle of good times that grab you by the throat, before flashing a mile wide grin. It's big, bold and threatening, but ultimately all about getting down with it and having a good time. And boy will you have a good time as they shift through the gears on "Freedom Machine" itself, the vocals of Papa-Stavros rich and full, as the rhythm section polishes up this full force roadster until its groove gleams and glistens in the midday sun.

The spoken word intro to "Long Way" adds to the scene, the funky background grooves underpinning a swinging sixties English accent to add to the threat and thrills this new biker gang want to terrorise the neighbourhood with. Midway through these macho machinations, a happier voice invites us to experience some of the most amazing biking tricks and flicks you could hope to find (unbelievable speeds, bikes jumping over other bikes and all for the princely sum of $2!!). That the righteous riff that kicks in again after the enticing offer fades out, is even more exhilarating, tells you all you need to know about Hard Driver and their "Freedom Machine".

Factor in the howling frets as big Papa charges up his "Electric Ride" (do instrumentals come more energized than this?), or that his axe slinging smokes hotter than his bike's burning exhaust, and this really is a mighty machine to marvel at. If the roar of riffs and authentic bluesy, hard rock is what gets your motor running, then you simply won't put a wheel wrong here!

Steven Reid /Sea Of Tranquility (August 2017)
 


"Freedom Machine" by Hard Driver is an in-your-face musical biker wet dream that would make Marlon Brando and James Dean run for cover. But this is not some throw-back to the 50s or 60s, with leather jackets and greasy motorcycles. Well, truth be told, it’s got a lot in common with the 70s, at least - heavy riff-rock drenched in blues that makes one think of ZZ Top meets Cream. This debut masterpiece, was birthed by the new ‘papa’ of six-string virtuosity: Stravos Papadopoulos. He is aided here by the rhythm section of Jim Petridis and Chris Lagios on bass and drums, respectively, who are masters at their own game. When these musicians make music with the Papa, every note feels right. Sooo ... No need for heavy chains and dark sunglasses. Just get your motor runnin’ as you sit back and listen to 11 original tracks of freewheelin’ heavy guitar rock!

Steven J. Rosen / Author + Journalist (July 2017)
 


If you're into power blues rock trios, you are going to want check out Hard Driver from Greece. The trio's debut release, 'Freedom Machine' is a powerhouse of a recording that is loaded with riffs and solos that jump out at you from start to finish. Hard Driver is comprised of Stavros Papadopoulos on guitar & vocals and the powerful rhythm section of Jim Petridis on bass and Chris Lagios on drums. I can't even explain all the levels this album appeal on. Virtuoso playing that is modern but with an appealing retro vibe. Solid vocals and a lot of emotion all around. On first listen, it blew me away and have been surprised time and again with repeated listenings. Hendrix, Zeppelin, Cream, Trower, the very best of 60's and 70's rock have been channeled via these talented gentlemen. Highlights include; "Freedom Machine", "Ride To Live" "Mojo Man", "Electric Ride" and "Price To Pay". There's maybe some songs that are more appealing than others, but I didn't feel that any were just filler. Seriously, if you've been praying for unadulterated good ol' fashion hard rock, with plenty of guitar welding, chest pounding drums, and wicked bass, check out, Hard Driver's 'Freedom Machine', this bad boy delivers the goods in spades! Highly Recommended.

Tony Sison / The Dedicated Rocker Society (July 2017)
 


We just recalled the instrumental album "Mother Nature Blues" from Universal Hippies, and again there's another Grooveyard album on my table: "Freedom Machine" from Hard Driver. Again, the frontman here is Greek guitarist Stavros Papadopoulos. In addition to Super Vintage (where we reviewed the 'Welcome to Mojo Land' and 'Salavation Road' discs), Stravos also forms part of Freerock Saints, Universal Hippies. Hard Driver is a band that sets Stravos with bassist Jim Petridis and drummer Chris Lagios, from another corner of Greece.

The debut album of Hard driver 'Freedom Machine' is a hard rock disc featuring eleven original "blues-based, retro sonic, heavy guitar" songs. Steaming guitars and fast engines are the red thread and will put fans of power blues rock ala Hendrix, Zeppelin, Cream and Trower into heavy intoxication. As highlights, I mention "Freedom Machine", "Ride To Live", "Mojo Man", "Electric Ride" &"Price To Pay".

Stavros Papadopoulos also proves to be a Hard Driver, who crawls the blood (in his rock veins). With his preference for "old school" hard (guitar) rock, he is a true guitar rock king. For Papadopoulos and his bands, only "All About The Rock ..." applies. "Crank up the Volume and prepare to Rock with Hard Driver on the Essential 'Freedom Machine' disc"

Eric Schuurmans / Rootstime (July 2017)
 


Stavros must be the busiest man in Greece! Not only does he rock out with Super Vintage & Freerock Saints, now he has also released an instrumental CD with Universal Hippies and, at the same time, let loose another beast. Those of you familiar with Jake E. Lee's band Badlands will surely make the connection here (for you uninformed Hard Driver is a song on the first Badlands album). Hard Driver sure do have some Badlands overtones. Bluesy hard rock with a southern touch. This is indeed a pretty solid album. The songs range between good and kick-ass and the band sounds great. The songs are solid with excellent guitar work and the band plays great! Well worth checking out!

Janne Stark / Stark Music Reviews (September 2017)
 



 


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