There is very little documenting the band Driven online, and they only ever released this album as far as I’m aware. This is my love letter in the hopes of spreading their sound to the searchers of the lesser known.

Formed in Amsterdam in the year 1996 Driven’s rebellious and chastising message melded with a metallic hardcore sound that reared its head in full force on their 5 track release Cowardice Consumer of the West that dropped two years later.

The album boasts some of my favorite drum grooves that are very much cut from the same cloth as John Stanier of Helmet and subvert expectations by not overplaying yet simultaneously retaining infinite replayability. Guitar tones on this record are dry, tight, and with a hint of nu-metal accessibility to get damn near anyone’s head banging. Locked in and slightly understated in the mix as is sadly the case with numerous diy-esque releases, the bassist glues each track together and shines in breakdowns. Vocal mix on CCotW is roomy, raw, and filled with intent. It sits underneath the music/slightly indiscernible and that underground music trope still remains of my favorite aspects.

STANDOUT TRACKS

Literally every one. Fine, here.

1. SERPENTINE

Ripping opener that aptly weaves snaky riffs with cracking hardcore flavored drumming and throat shredding screams.

3. PYRAMID OF THE ANTS

One of my favorite songs hands down. So many well fleshed out riffs and grooves littering the sonic space of this masterpiece. Absolutely filthy buildup and subsequent breakdown with a sinister and empty space employing arpeggiated rfff overhead that explodes for the second half of this track. Will assuredly have you hooked.

I vow to be the wind that sings this album’s praises and keeps it off a nondescript sidewalk. Go spin some Driven!