1994 was a strange time for music. Many popular genres were coming and going. Nu metal was on the cusp. 80’s hard rock had all but faded. The Seattle scene was dominating. And through it all, Pantera were a constant rising entity. And it culminated with their #1 smash ‘Far Beyond Driven.’
To this day ‘Far Beyond Driven’ remains the heaviest album ever to climb to number one on the Billboard Hot 200. It likely won’t happen again. It’s success being a perfect storm of gen x angst and counterculture dominance. Critics said that heavy metal was over. But ‘Far Beyond Driven’ proved them all wrong.
‘Strength Beyond Strength’ is an immediate statement. That this will be, hands down the heaviest Pantera album. And therefore the heaviest major label album anyone could find. The single ‘Becoming’ follows. With Vinny Paul’s absolutely insane double pedal rhythm. So technical, so clean sounding. ‘5 Minutes Alone’ may not be the fastest Pantera track. But it may be the heaviest. It’s just so brutally low. And would go on the become a concert staple. ‘I’m Broken’ has a heavy blues influence to it. But with a simple metal chug added for that 90’s effect. A simple, wicked riff.
‘Good Friends and a Bottle of Pills’ is a clear representation of the alternative side to heavy music at the time. Very Faith No More influenced. Heavier obviously. But it has that alt metal structure. ‘Hard Line, Sunken Cheeks’ brings back the thrash. While the subject matter remains dark yet satiric. ‘Slaughtered’ is one of my absolute personal favorites. The deep, double pedal groove creeps along with the riff. Which morphs into this slippery thrash kind of thing. ’25 Years’ contains some mild progressive tendencies. Lots of on and off beat emphasis switching. ‘Shedding Skin’ brings back the groove. While ‘Use My Third Arm’ is a perfect mix of alternative/thrash metal. ‘Throes of Rejection’ closes out the metal. While ‘Planet Caravan’ gives an unexpected finish to the album.
Upon its release ‘Far Beyond Driven’ was a culmination of Pantera becoming heavier and heavier. And it paid off. With the album debuting at no. one. Beating out some major names including Bonnie Raitt. The unbelievable accomplishment wasn’t unnoticed. With Pantera going out on a massive tour. And dominating Donnington ’94. ‘Far Beyond Driven’ proved that metal wasn’t dead. And that there was life in the genre for generations to come. Crank it, live it, love it.
