XBOX-HQ.COM - Atari and Epic Records Reach Deal for Explosive Soundtrack For DRIV3R

Continuing its emergence as an entertainment force, Atari, Inc. has reached an agreement with Epic Records and Nimrod Productions to create a 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 soundtrack is scheduled for U.S. release on June 21, day-in-date with the launch of the DRIV3R video game on the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

"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."

"The DRIV3R soundtrack includes a compelling combination of new and established artists that forms a perfect complement to this fast-paced and exciting game," commented Steve Barnett, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Epic Records. "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."

Plundering the depths and the edges of the music world, DRIV3R - The Soundtrack includes 14 cutting-edge tracks from acclaimed stars, such as a Iggy Pop, as well as up-and-coming acts in the U.S. and Europe, including Phantom Planet, Hope Of The States, Syntax, among others. The soundtrack will also feature a 12-minute "Making Of DRIV3R" documentary narrated by actor Michael Madsen (who voiced "Tanner," the lead character in the Driver franchise).

Featuring Hollywood-caliber production values and a gripping, narrative story line, DRIV3R casts players once again as undercover cop Tanner who, alongside his partner Tobias, must infiltrate a global car theft ring, an assignment that leads to tire-squealing chases and fierce on-foot firefights while tailing gangsters, chasing witnesses, stealing cars and unloading massive clips of ammo to bring the criminals to justice.

Additionally, 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.

Following is the DRIV3R - THE SOUNDTRACK track listing:

1. Mellowdrone "C'mon and Try"
http://www.mellowdrone.com
Be prepared for an explosion as Mellodrone kick offs the opening Miami scene with 'c'mon and try', a blisteringly claustrophobic and dense opening track. Mellodrone has been described by UK music Bible, NME, as "utterly deranged but deeply compelling". The U.S. band is now set for world domination with its forthcoming EP 'go get 'em tiger' set for release in spring 2004.

2. Phantom Planet "Big Brat"
http://www.phantomplanet.com
California's coolest rock band's track 'Big Brat' is by-the-gut loud, brash and taut, recorded in a log cabin deep in New York's Amish community and produced by Dave Fridmann (famous for his work with The Flaming Lips). 'Big Brat' features in the Face Facts scene and is taken from the much anticipated self-titled 'Phantom Planet' LP due for release in June 2004.

3. Iggy And The Stooges "Gimme Danger"
http://www.iggypop-virginrecords.com
'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, which marked Pop as the 'Godfather of Punk'. 'Gimme Danger's' sonic collision of garage rock and punk carved out the roots of Iggy Pop And The Stooges' rock royalty status.

4. The Raveonettes "Bowels Of The Beast"
http://www.raveonettes.com
Danish duo The Raveonettes are hailed as one of the most exciting and 'as cool as it gets' bands around. 'Bowels Of The Beast' is a slow twisted, malevolent crash of sounds set against spine-chilling lyrics "it will find you and take you home tonight". The Raveonettes are a post pop-punk, Jesus And Mary Chain for a new generation. The track from their acclaimed EP Whip It On, 2002 features in the Bagman scene.

5. SLO-MO "Boy from the City"
http://www.slo-mo.co.uk
The pace quickens and uplifts with the jangly punk guitar-fueled 'Boy From The City' from Sheffield band SLO-MO. The band is hailed as a savior of the independent music scene, and one of the hottest acts around at the moment. SLO-MO's 'Boy From The City' manages to define the sound of 'alternative,' features in the Escape scene, and taken from the band's self-titled debut album released in 2003.

6. Syntax "Destiny"
British band Syntax is poised to be one of the most effective crossover groups out there, creating a new genre of music out of its unique rock and electronic clash. The filmic and kinetic rush of 'Destiny', a thrilleresque track, fits perfectly with the mood of the Destiny scene in DRIV3R. Destiny has been taken from Syntax's album, Meccano Mind, released in the spring 2004.

7. Okuniev "Ripe For The Devil"
http://www.okuniev.com
The edgy hypnotic 'Ripe For The Devil' creeps like ice that's come to life, a mesmerizing, gripping and totally immersive track from newcomer Okuniev. The duo from East London formed only six months ago combines a visual artist and musician to make music that reaches deep into your psyche and messes with your soul. 'Ripe For The Devil' has been plucked fresh from the heart of Okuniev's debut album, set for release in the summer of 2004. 'Ripe For The Devil' features in the Istanbul scene.

8. Teddybears STHLM "Move Over"
http://www.teddybears.com
From harsh to soft, 'Move Over' displays the talents of Stockholm's biggest secret, the Teddybears STHLM. The band started out as a hardcore punk band but 'Move Over' shows its playfulness and wizardry with synths, drum machines and samplers, as well as more hip hop, contemporary techno and funk influences. The song's made with a glint in the eye, and a very strong line of pure coolness. The trippy melodic 'Move Over' a concoction of brittle, sweet synth melodies features in the menu screens. The Teddybears STHLM recently completed its latest album, Fresh!

9. Narco "The 2nd Evolution/Stand Off"
http://www.narcomusic.co.uk
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. The in-your-face '2nd Evolution' struts in with a ballsy swagger of synth rock, like Bowie at his most animated. Lifted from Narco's 'Control Of The Stereo' album to be released summer 2004.

10. Narco "Evil Brother"
http://www.narcomusic.co.uk
Another track from Narco thrashes in with hyper Hammond organ and raging guitars clashing. Narco's 'Evil Brother' is a genius slice of punk, garage rock that could easily be a hit from another decade.

11. Los Halos "Black Thread"
http://www.loshalos.com
Los Halos from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the most credible and revered bands around from the noise-rock genre. 'Black Thread' has been lifted from the band's self-titled debut of 2002 to raise the stakes in the Hostage scene in Driv3r. "Victim, I'm a victim" is repeated in a brooding whisper over repetitive guitar riffs, both soothing and disturbing, and constantly threatening.

12. Stateless "Exit"
http://www.stateless-online.com
This Leeds five-piece is set to a make major impact within the music industry and is currently recording its debut album with Jim Abbis (DJ Shadow, The Music). Stateless signed to Sony Music in 2003 after grabbing the label's attention when one of its tracks was included on the Radio 1's playlist. 'Exit' is a fusion of dreamy and distorted rolling keyboards, uplifting strings and eclectic scratching. An epic and skillfully crafted debut that should see the band take the lion's share of best newcomer awards on release of its first album due late in 2004. This is definitely a band to watch out for. 'Exit' features in the Face Facts and Drop site #2 scenes.

13. The BellRays "Zero PM"
http://www.thebellrays.com
Hailing from California, The BellRays formed 10 years ago and was first outed in the UK with the release of the acclaimed 'Meet The BellRays' album on Alan McGee's Poptones label in 2002. Tagged by the NME as the future of the "New Rock Revolution", The BellRays now has a huge cult following. 'Zero PM' has been lifted from this album and is a storming mix of pure soul, rock, and blues which features in the end credits to DRIV3R.

14. Hope Of The States "Static In The Cities"
The last track of DRIV3R - The Soundtrack the explosive 'Static In The Cities' by Hope Of The States. This is a blinding and epic finale from a brand new British band. Hope Of The States is already commanding rapturous praise in musical circles, the NME gushes that its "Intellectual, political, hugely ambitious, the whole thing will translate magnificently onto a grander stage, it's not a question of if, but when". Hope Of The States - 'Static In The Cities' is a soaring orchestral-led track that rinses through every emotion known to man, and will take you and make you worship at their feet. Hope Of The States is set for major stardom with the release of its debut album due to be released in the summer of 2004. 'Static In The Cities' features in the Contacts scene in DRIV3R.

Developed by Reflections Interactive (an Atari studio), the masterminds behind DRIVER and DRIVER 2 - which have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide - DRIV3R is an action-packed driving adventure game that stays true to its roots, incorporating the cinematic gameplay and gritty street crime of its predecessors with ground-breaking graphics and three mammoth, wide-open city environments: Miami, Florida; Nice, France; and Istanbul, Turkey. In addition, major Hollywood talent such as Michael Madsen, Ving Rhames, Mickey Rourke, and Michelle Rodriguez will play the lead roles in the third installment of the Driver video game series.

DRIV3R is slated for release in June 2004 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. For additional information on DRIV3R, please visit http://www.DRIV3R.com.

About Atari
New York-based Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) develops interactive games for all platforms and is one of the largest third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software in the U.S. The Company's 1,000+ titles include hard-core, genre-defining games such as DRIV3R, Enter the Matrix, Neverwinter Nights, Stuntman, Test Drive, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Unreal Championship; and mass-market and children's games such as Backyard Sports, Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues and Dora the Explorer, Civilization, Dragon Ball Z and RollerCoaster Tycoon Atari, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of France-based Infogrames Entertainment SA (Euronext 5257), the largest interactive games publisher in Europe. For more information, visit http://www.atari.com.

About Epic Records
Epic Records, which was launched in 1953, is one of the premiere music labels in the world, and is home to artists from virtually every musical genre, including such multi-platinum selling superstars as Celine Dion; Gloria Estefan; Audioslave; Shakira; Incubus; Jennifer Lopez; Good Charlotte; Tori Amos; Fiona Apple and Sade among many others. Epic Records in a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment