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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.
Literally every one. Fine, here.
Ripping opener that aptly weaves snaky riffs with cracking hardcore flavored drumming and throat shredding screams.
I vow to be the wind that sings this album’s praises and keeps it off a nondescript sidewalk. Go spin some Driven!
Published on: May 25th 2025