This debut release is primarily Modern Rock and, if it achieves any kind of recognition, might act as the basis for a successful future.

Marco Pirolo was born in Rome in 1983 and started getting actively involved in music at the age of eighteen. Early influences include Oasis and Bush and he founded Britpop band Half Past Nine with whom he released an EP in 2005. After they split in 2007, he moved around Europe and achieved a law and business degree whilst still continuing to write songs on acoustic guitar. Some of the material on the debut Alien Drive album has been knocking around for a while but finalisation of the recordings commenced during 2013 in Berlin.

Album opener 'Mainstream Dolls Kill Rock 'N' Roll' is quite good musically and there are a few decent ideas evident in the way the arrangements are structured. If I have one reservation at all it is that the vocals are an acquired taste during this track, though they become more tolerable as the album progresses. It is as though Pirolo is aiming for a distinctly English accent when singing and it grates at times.

'All These Bitter Days' makes the biggest impact during the first couple of plays and is a "radio friendly" up-tempo Rock song built on a strong riff. It is also the obvious choice for the first single. Some of the moodier tracks, such as 'Lost In The Fire' and 'When They Come', lack enough emotion to avoid being insipid but the songs with more energy make for an enjoyable listen, 'Chemical Soul' and 'Burning In Your Head' being the best examples.

'Velvet Bullets' and 'Scavenge My Life' have a Punk edge but the attitude seems false. When they settle into a Modern Rock groove they have a natural appeal and are less forced. Apparently 'Yellow & Red' was inspired by AS Roma's defeat in the 2013 Italian Cup Final and is a reflection of Pirolo's love of sports.

The guitars are to the fore for the most part and are enhanced by some subtle programmed elements. Unfortunately, the bio accompanying the release gives no indication of who actually performs on the songs or if there are any external writing credits.

Pirolo's boy band image may be off-putting for the more discerning Metal fans out there but this debut release is primarily Modern Rock and, if it achieves any kind of recognition, might act as the basis for a successful future.

Dave Bott