Rave Down

Background

Rave Down is the second of a string of EPs that was released in early 1990s by Swervedriver, following Son of Mustang Ford (1990) and preceding Sandblasted (1991). It was recorded and mixed at Jam Studios.

Critical reception

Andy Kellman of Allmusic wrote: "The bulldozing, bass-driven, Dinosaur Jr.-meets-Stooges onslaught continues in fine form." On the title track, he commented that "it is undeniably one of Swervedriver's all-time career highs, churning and chugging with that effortless flair they often possessed." Nevertheless, he also wrote that "B-sides are anything but afterthoughts or gap fillers," further explaining that "Afterglow" is the best of the extra material on the EP. NME critic Mary Anne Hobbs called its title track "a cyclone of wild, swollen riff machinery that sounds like it's been played with dislocated shoulder joints," and stated that the track "She's Beside Herself" is the only one [track] in which any other influence - an almost distinguished Costello-like vocal quality, oddly- is really discernible through Swervedriver's shredder-static."

The EP was made single of the week by a heavy metal magazine, which prompted band's bassist Adi Vines to describe their style as "ethereal metal."

Track listing

All tracks written by Swervedriver.

1. "Rave Down" – 5:07
2. "She's Beside Herself" – 5:51
3. "Afterglow" – 3:03
4. "Zedhead" – 4:42

Swervedriver

Other personnel