June 8, 2004 - Atari, Epic Records and Nimrod Productions have joined forces to create the dynamic and artistically unique soundtrack for DRIV3R, the third-installment in the best-selling Driver video game franchise.

Titled DRIV3R - The Soundtrack, the stand-alone album is scheduled to drop in U.S. on Tuesday June 21, day-in-date with the launch of DRIV3R on the Xbox and the PlayStation 2.

When asked about the collaboration between the companies, Executive Vice President for Atari, Wim Stocks, had this to say: "With their ability to provide a complete entertainment experience coupled with the scope of their enormous popularity, video games have quickly advanced to the vanguard of entertainment," said Wim Stocks, Executive Vice President for Atari. "Atari recognizes this vast potential and we are thrilled to work with Epic Records and Nimrod Productions in creating an innovative soundtrack whose songs completely complement the gritty onscreen action of the DRIV3R video game."

And Steve Barnett, Executvie Vice President, General Manager for Epic Records added, "The DRIV3R soundtrack includes a compelling combination of new and established artists that forms a perfect complement to this fast-paced and exciting game. We see this as an important opportunity to build new audiences for our artists, and we look forward to working closely with Atari as we introduce this innovative soundtrack to the market place."

DRIV3R - The Soundtrack will include 14 tracks from the likes of Iggy Pop, Phantom Planet, Hope Of The States, Syntax, and others. Additionally, the album will also include a 12-minute "Making Of DRIV3R" documentary narrated by noted thespian Michael Madsen, the voice of "Tanner" in the Driver franchise.

Furthermore, each original CD will contain n-CD technology that will grant exclusive access to a special vaulted website where cheats for the game, a special deleted scene and competitions can be accessed.

Here's the complete DRIV3R - The Soundtrack track listing:

1. Mellowdrone "C'mon and Try"
Mellodrone's track will kick off the opening Miami scene of the game.

2. Phantom Planet "Big Brat"
"Big Brat" features in the Face Facts scene. The song is culled from the band's self-titled album, which was released on January 6th, 2004.

3. Iggy And The Stooges "Gimme Danger"
"Gimme Danger" blasts through the Good Guys scene in DRIV3R. The track comes from Iggy And The Stooges' third album, Raw Power released in 1973.

4. The Raveonettes "Bowels Of The Beast"
This track, taken from the Danish duo's acclaimed EP Whip It On, features in the Bagman scene of the game.

5. SLO-MO "Boy from the City"
Hailing from Sheffield, England, SLO-MO's "Boy From The City" will provide a sonic backdrop for the Escape scene.

6. Syntax "Destiny"
Britain's Syntax unleash the filmic and kinetic rush of "Destiny," which fits perfectly with the mood of the Destiny scene in DRIV3R.

7. Okuniev "Ripe For The Devil"
This track, from East London duo Okuniev features prominantly in the Istanbul scequence of the game and is taken from the band's upcoming debut album.

8. Teddybears STHLM "Move Over"
Perhaps Stockholm's best kept secret, the Teddybears STHLM started out as a hardcore punk band but this song shows the band's fascination with synths, drum machines and samplers, as well as more hip hop, contemporary techno and funk influences. It will play over the menu screens.

9. Narco "The 2nd Evolution/Stand Off"
Narco is the house band of Nimrod Productions and was commissioned to complete the overall music design in DRIV3R. The band selected tracks and also wrote the original score of more than 90 minutes of original music within the game.

10. Narco "Evil Brother"
Yet another track from Narco.

11. Los Halos "Black Thread"
Straight outta Philadelphia, PA comes one of the most credible and revered bands from the noise-rock genre. Their scathing song will raise the stakes in the Hostage scene in Driv3r.

12. Stateless "Exit"
This Leeds five-piece is currently recording their debut album with Jim Abbis (DJ Shadow, The Music). "Exit" will play during the Face Facts and Drop site #2 scenes.

13. The BellRays "Zero PM"
California's The BellRays formed 10 years ago. "Zero PM," which has been lifted from their album Meet The BellRays, rolls over the end credits of the game.

14. Hope Of The States "Static In The Cities"

The last track on DRIV3R - The Soundtrack comes from this British combo. A soaring orchestral tinged track, it adds considerable ambiance to the Contacts scene.

There you have it. Watch for our review of the soundtrack in a few weeks!