Band - Driving The Salt

"Why is it that most modern day no-bullshit hardcore is more often than not purely the latter? Honestly, I can totally understand people who grow out of hardcore, because it is a rather stagnant place with only precious few bands and artists who really make it something innovative and special.

Germany’s "Driving The Salt" are definitely a bright light at the end of the tunnel! This is rocking hardcore with a decent punk flavour – and although this description might deter you, you should feel excited about this! This is not a bunch of 14-year old seasonal edgekiddies doing an impromptu jam. No, "Driving The Salt" have the maturity, the musical skills, and the passion to deliver something that is dying out in hardcore: feeling and spirit.

Do you remember the spark that characterized early Good Riddance? That’s what we are dealing with here: the vocals are aggressive yet melodic and fortunately miles away from the “two chords and some artificial testosterone” redneck-core that is giving hardcore such a bad name these days. There’s no metal whatsoever, just countless incredible hook lines and sing-along parts that are just wonderfully uplifting.

The recoding quality fits the music perfectly – it’s crunchy and powerful and never polished ore overproduced like countless wannabe tough-guy “mediocore” acts. The sing-alongs are dosed perfectly and add to the dense, positive atmosphere. I’m sorry for not being able to pick a standout track, but that speaks for the record in this case. In terms of passion this is totally up to par with Strike Anywhere.

This is just excellent “hardcore.” No gym-core, no tough-guy embarrassment, no blood on the dance floor – this is the music I love and the soundtrack of the scene I once joined. Thanks guys!" (XSebX in 2004)