This is (probably) Pantera’s heaviest album, and while most of it works on the levels it should, sometimes I get that feeling that it could have been done better.
OK, I’m not the world’s biggest Pantera fan, but this album has some great material. It’s raw and heavy. Anselmo’s vocals are at their best, rough and hard when they need be, and then understated when need be, especially on the great cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan”. Dimebag’s guitaring is faultless, and are the driving feature of the songs here. Vinnie’s drumming is also spectacular in places, really complementing the others by setting the tempo perfectly.
This album, without question, needs to be played LOUD, which is slightly difficult in the workplace at times. As it was today, I had it down at audible level for the first listen, and then cranked it for the second. The difference was amazing. That’s not always the case, but here with Far Beyond Driven it is a given – this album gets better as it gets louder.
Favourites for me include “Strength Beyond Strength”, “I’m Broken”, “Slaughtered” and “Shedding Skin”.
Rating: Play it loud and proud. 3/5
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