The DevilsHorns

Pantera are a band originally formed in Arlington, Texas in 1981. This is contentious, as the original line-up didn’t last, with changes before their debut album and their first 4 albums were disavowed by the band who claimed that their 5^th album was, in fact, their debut!  The classic Pantera line-up included Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown and brothers Vinnie Paul and ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbot. Although the band would have told you they recorded 5 albums, this retrospective will cover all 9. If they didn’t want the older albums be ‘Pantera’ albums, they should have changed the bands name!

To be honest, until this retrospective, I had very little interest in listening to the first 4 Pantera albums. Whatever you read about them, they are castigated, utterly denigrated by virtually everybody, be it the debut album receiving 1 star reviews (J Nash, Sputnik Reviews, 2014) or the mainstream metal magazines essentially telling you that they were pish. I, therefore, have did the hard work so you don’t have to. I listened to the first 4 album, available on YouTube, and have lived to tell the tale.

I first heard Pantera in 1992, I think it was ‘Walk’ played on Raw Power or whatever the show was called. I loved it. I then got into their ‘debut’….5^th album and managed to catch them live in 1994 at the Donington Monsters of Rock festival. I count myself lucky to have seen the definitive line-up live, something many will never do due to the unfortunate and untimely deaths of the Abbott brothers.

Currently touring again, with Dimebag’s good friend Zakk Wylde on guitar and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, this again is contentious. Pantera’s constant members were Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell. This retrospective will offer no comment on this, aside to say is that I would go and see them live.

Please welcome Retrospective #10, Pantera.

Welcome to Album Retrospective #10 – Pantera

Pantera have a very interesting history. Forming in 81, they had numerous vocalists even prior to their debut album. Donny Hart was replaced by the, then, rhythm guitarist Terry Glaze. Glaze then dropped guitar and became the singer. Original bassist Tommy Bradford was replaced by some guy called Rex ‘Rocket’…… erm…..not a good name. Fortunately, the name changed to the more recognisable Rex ‘Brown’.

Released in 1983, the ‘original’ debut album was called Metal Magic, an incredibly bad name for an album. This may be because of the youthful enthusiasm of the bad, but it is pretty much unforgiveable. It is a glam/hair metal album, typical of the time and similar to bands like Great White and Ratt, popular bands that didn’t boast great personality. The album is surprisingly better than expected, better than 1 star, better than Kerrang! poking fun at it. There are a smattering of enjoyable tracks, interspersed with synths and quite a handful of more than decent solos! 5/10

Projects in the Jungle was released in 1984 and it featured a change in vocalist, or to be more accurate, a change of name! Terry Glaze became the more serious ‘Terrence Lee’. Despite it being a more confident and a more assured album, it still lacks the gravitas to raise it above average. Again, it is slightly generic for its time, although the riffs and guitar control begins to become moderately impressive. The album begins to demonstrate that a certain guitarist has a bit of a riff in him. 5/10

A year later, 1985, a new Album, I am the Night. Another terrible album name, genuinely awful! This is the album where the original Pantera utterly lose their way. The line-up stayed the same, and despite a heavier riff sound, the band displays no real progression and, truth be told, is a bit stale. The heavier riffs do hit home a few times, and it is very noticeable that Diamond Dimebag Darrell…. (Still Diamond at the moment) has a bucketful of riffs seeking a more palatable genre where they can be released! Following the commercial failure of the album, Terrence ‘Terry Glaze’ Lee left the band. 4/10

1986 saw Pantera seeking a new vocalist, trying out numerous singers, including the aforementioned Donny Hart. Nothing worked until they auditioned New Orleans native Phil Anselmo. The resultant album Power Metal was released in 1988. Despite having roots in the band earlier glam metal scene is has markedly heavier riffs and feature vocals by Anselmo that are more akin to Rob Halford of Judas Priest fame that the vocalist we know today, to be fair, the album is reminiscent of Judas Priest. It is actually an incredibly interesting listen to track Anselmo’s change of vocal styles over the years. In spite of the heavier sound, Pantera do dabble their collective feet in the world of Glam Metal, which is slightly disappointing. It does, however, help us to understand the mentality of the band to declare their next album as their official, ‘Debut’. The world is about to have Southern Groove metal unleashed, where the power of the riff will compel you! 6/10

Perhaps listening to early Pantera for the first time in 2023, I have listened to the early riffs with rose-tinted spectacles. But I am certain that if you listen now, you can hear an almost ‘restrained’ guitar in these first 4 albums. The 1990 ‘Debut’ 5^th album, Cowboys from Hell, (the 1^st Pantera album with a decent name) and it is the sound of a modern Pantera! Anselmo provides less Rob Halford, although hints are scattered throughout the album, but he also provides a bit of power that was previously lacking. What this album does provide is, arguably, the first ‘classic’ Pantera track, Cemetery Gates. Glam Pantera is no more.  Welcome to the invention of ‘Groove’ Metal! 7/10

I remember in late 1992, when I was reading Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, that there was a serious amount of buzz about the new Pantera album! Vulgar Display of Power eventually hit the shops in February 1993 and this was the first Pantera album I bought. I remember this being the heaviest album that I had listened too. I was absolutely floored by tracks like ‘Walk’ and my personal favourite, ‘This Love’. Listening to the original albums, even the 4^th album, as part of this retrospective, you wonder where the change of sound came from. This is a stunning album and even though it nearly loses its way midway through, it is essentially an album consisting of ‘bangers’. Most bands will never release an album as consistent as this. It is almost perfection. 9/10

1994 saw the release of Far Beyond Driven. I remember being utterly disappointed when I first listened to this album. Yes, there are some brilliant tracks, ‘Shedding Skin’ is absolute fire, ‘I’m Broken’ is utterly immense. However, it lacks the true consistency of the previous album and my 2023 retrospective listen ended up with a slight hint of disappointment. A noticeable aspect of the album was Anselmo’s vocals reaching a deeper cadence, Halford comparisons are no more! 7/10

The Great Southern Trendkill was released in 1996 and the opening title track is utterly superb.  It is a magnificent opening that is almost supported by the rest of the album, especially both ‘Suicide Note’ tracks (I and II). It is a far more consistent album its predecessor, resulting in a far more enjoyable experience. The fact that this is as enjoyable as it is could be considered surprising due to drug intake, particularly by Anselmo, who overdosed on heroin whilst on tour. That said, with slightly darker lyrics, and incredible guitar work by the now ‘Dimebag’ Darrell, this album is an essential listen to all fans of guitar based music. 8/10

Reinventing the Steel was the final Pantera album, released in 2000. Unfortunately, this retrospective considers it to be a fairly average album. Only the superb groove of, ‘Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit’ prevents it slipping further down the scale. Perhaps it is because of Anselmo featuring in a variety of side projects, or perhaps it was because the band had run its course in the same manner as the original Glam version of Pantera had. 7/10

I have never been the biggest fan of Pantera. Yes, I have a vast amount of respect for what they achieved, however I’ve never really like Phil Anselmo. Perhaps this coloured me against the band, preventing me from listening to them far more in the 90’s than I did. The best thing about this retrospective is that I now appreciate the skill and absolute riff-mastery of Diamond, Dimebag Darrell. I use his former name as the early albums offer massive hints about his ability to deliver a ridiculously hook-laden riff. Yes, the hair metal on show on the, lets refer to it as ‘not quite deleted’ discography does have a slight hint of cheese, but an in-depth listen gives a subtle insight to the talent that was shamefully stolen from the metal community in 2004.

RIP Dimebag Darrell – Master of the Riff

Album Ranking

1. Vulgar Display of Power
2. The Great Southern Trendkill
3. Far Beyond Driven
4. Cowboys From Hell
5. Reinventing the Steel
6. Power Metal
7. Projects in the Night
8. Metal Magic
9. I am the Night

• Find out more – Pantera in their live prime at Donington Monsters of Rock 1994 (poor quality) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCQnAeREpts
• Off the beaten track – Check out the 4 ‘not’ Pantera albums on YouTube!
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqIlTki7Yg
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDP52ofHZNs
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0f9osmapYI
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDpkhGBc7AA