Pantera is one of those metal bands that if your a fan of the genre, you’ve heard of them. They started out in the 80’s as a glam-rock band performing cover songs by other popular artists at the time like Van Halen and KISS. They had the long hair, the glam-rock style, the whole she-bang. It wasn’t until the 90’s that the band became a truly Metal figure in music.

 

The band’s first album was titled Metal Magic and made it’s debut in 1983. Tracks on this album include the songs “Latest Lover”, “Nothin’ On (But the Radio)” and “Rock Out”. The band later followed this album up with I Am the Night. Songs on this rare album house the songs “Onward We Rock”, “Valhalla” and “I Am the Night”.

For both of these albums the band still had it’s original lineup featuring Terry Glaze as vocalist, and the rest of the band (Darrell, Vince, and Rexx) performing their duties respectively. Vince playing the drums, Darrell on guitar and Rexx as the bassist.

This lineup continued for the band’s third album which was titled Projects in the Jungle. Songs on this rare album feature “Like Fire”, “Heavy Metal Rules”, and “Projects in the Jungle”.

In 1988 the band changed with the introduction of Phil Anselmo on the bands Power Metal album. Phil replaced Terry as the bands vocalist as Terry was ousted from the band. With Phil, the band had a whole new direction and style this can be heard by listening to Power Metal.

Now, Power Metal is an unique album because it’s kind of roughed in and shows the start of something great. Songs on Power Metal include the tracks “Rock the World”, “Hard Ride”, “Proud to Be Loud” and “Power Metal”.

The band’s fifth album is Cowboys from Hell, it’s with this album that the band begins to gain a fan base. I being one of them. Songs on this album showcase how Metal this band can really be. Musical tracks on this album feature “Cemetery Gates”, “Cowboys From Hell”, and “The Art Of Shredding”. The explosive and complex guitar playing is like none other.  If you listen to this album, turn down the volume on “Cemetery Gates” because you can seriously blow your hearing out by the end of the guitar solo. That’s how loud this song is, it’s pretty cool.

Up next for the band is their Vulgar Display of Power album. This album has such songs as “Mouth For War”, “Walk”, and “This Love” featured on it. With this album the band sets the bar a little higher for other metal bands, it is one of the most compelling albums ever from the band.

The edgy guitar riffs, the masterful solo’s, hard hitting percussion and deep bass lines are what make this album really stand out. Not to mention Phil pouring out track after track of some serious vocals.

Far Beyond Driven would be the next album from the band in 1994. Songs on this album feature such hits as “I’m Broken”, “Planet Caravan” and “5 Minutes Alone”. This album is a pretty solid album and if you haven’t heard it, consider picking yourself up a copy. It’s easy to see how much the band has changed since the Metal Magic days at this point in time for the group.
 
Their next album would arrive a year later in the form of The Great Southern Trendkill. Housed on this album are the songs “War Nerve”, “Floods”, and “Great Southern Trendkill”. This album also features “Suicide Note, Pt.1&2” which features the band performing without distortion on these tracks which differs from the norm for a metal band.
The band then releases their live album which is called Official Live: 101 Proof, songs on this album feature such hits as “Walk”, “This Love”, “Cowboys from Hell”, “Cemetery Gates”, “Hostile” and “I’m Broken”. This is a pretty decent album from the band and is worth listening too, especially if you didn’t get a chance to see the band in concert.
 
In 2000, the band releases it’s final album titled Reinventing the Steel. It’s by this album the band has seen the effects of drug and alcohol abuse take their toll on the members. Phil had overdosed several time on heroin at this point but the band decided to get their act together for this album. They were making music for their fans after all. That’s what music is about, the fans. Songs on Reinventing the Steel feature songs like “Uplift”, “Revolution is My Name”, “I’ll Cast A Shadow” and “GD’d Electric”. After the release of this album the band broke up due to increased tension in the band.
 
In 2004, the world mourned the loss of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott as a result of a crazed gunman. “Dimebag” was a skilled and talented performer who played for bands like Anthrax, Nickelback, Kid Rock, Sebastian Bach and the band Damageplan.