Back in the late 80s, a band that had been around for quite some time went through a drastic change, and ultimately changed the world of metal music. Joining in the Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer brigade, Pantera became one of the cornerstones of heavy metal, and provided some of the heaviest guitar riffs and overall works of rock of all-time. In the early 90s, they virtually conquered the metal world while grunge was taking over the pop scene. To this day, there has yet to be a band that can quite matchup to the powerhouse music of Pantera. Their blend of heavy vocals with insane drumming, excellent bass work, and some of the best guitar tunes this side of the planet resulted in years of spectacular music that can heal any wound, can anger any soul, and can unleash any rage in your heart.
Now, this article is dedicated to a great band whose influence isn’t felt enough—because if it did, then we wouldn’t have so many whiny metal bands out there today. What we see today are these singers whining their lungs out with distorted guitar work lacking rhythm or any form of quality. Back then, you waited for the epic guitar solo. Nowdays, the shorter less –satisfying “breakdowns” are what’s taking over the metal scene. Pantera would be absolutely ashamed if they saw what’s going on today. Then after the shame proceed to go the bands and beat them up. Very few times can you hear someone sing and know he can kick your arse, but Mr. Phil Anselmo sounded like someone that can rip your throat out in a heartbeat. I have compiled a list of their best music, the songs you must listen to if you are ever in the mood to hear some intense metal. Word of warning, this music isn’t for those with weak constitutions, as it is metal at its finest, but also its most intense.
#10: Mouth For War
Album: Vulgar Display of Power
Combining great vocals with a great guitar riff and a good closing, Mouth For War is a fantastic opening song in the fantastic Vulgar Display of Power album. While its definitely more commercial-friendly as the other songs on this list, it doesn’t make it less hardcore for the metalheads.
#9: #(*&&*@$ Hostile
Album: Vulgar Display of Power
The title alone should tell you this is an intense song. The song gives you only a few seconds to prepare for the headbanging, and once the anger unleashes it won’t let go until the finale, when Anselmo gives an impressive yet sinister scream at the microphone after the guitars and drums quieted down. Between the beginning and the loud ending we have a great guitar solo, fast drums, and lyrics that convince you to start mosh pitting---no matter where you are.
#8: 5 Minutes Alone
Album: Far Beyond Driven
The lyrics are much harder to come by in this song, but that’s because the guitar riff is so loud and produced in such a distorted way. Coming off as an extreme grunge song in its sound, 5 Minutes Alone is what would have happened if Nirvana was really, really, really pissed off. And let’s please not forget the incredible guitar solo by Dimebag and the deathly howls of Anselmo.
#7: Domination
Album: Cowboys From Hell
Remember those God-awful breakdowns I was talking about that are conquering the music scene today? Well, these breakdowns usually last a mere 35-55 seconds. In Domination, the entire song slows down nearly to a halt (after another grand guitar solo) and literally ends in a massive breakdown that lasts the final minute and 15 seconds. Mixing in with the rhytmatic breakdown is insane guitars and superb drumming. Not a single band has even come close to matching the powerful breakdown unleashed in this great song.
#6: I’m Broken
Album: Far Beyond Driven
This is one of the greatest guitar riffs in the history of music. This is the guitar riff that launched Dimebag into mainstream fame as it even charted highly in the U.K. charts. The song never develops or deviates far from the riff, but it’s so catchy and so headbang-worthy, there’s no need to. The guitar solo was short, the vocals were reduced to a lot of howls, but it’s that riff that keeps you coming back for more.
#5: Floods
Album: The Great Southern Treadkill
There are certain songs made by bands in which one person in the band totally owns the song, totally makes it his own. YYZ belongs to the bassist of Rush. In Bloom belongs to Kurt Cobain. Reggata de Blanc belongs to the guitarist of Sting. Floods totally belongs to Dimebag. The riff is simple yet engaging. The guitar solo in the center of the song was nearly flawless. And then the outro solo was even more spectacular. Nobody else in the band really had to contribute much, and the result was still incredible. If there is any reason to listen, it’s to hear the guitar work that very seldom is duplicated in quality.
#4: Cemetery Gates
Album: Cowboys From Hell
My mom years ago once pointed out that most hard rock and heavy metal bands have fantastic singers that whenever they are not abusing the microphone with their yells, can crank out some beautiful and harmonious vocals. Cemetery Gates is this example. Much softer than Pantera’s usual fare, this song is a depressing melody about death and losing someone, and the vocals prove that it hits a personal nerve amongst everyone performing. The singing was fantastic, the drumming was superb, the guitar work was amazing (as usual), and the entire cast just delivered an epic power ballad that deserves more fame.
#3: This Love
Album: Vulgar Display of Power
The first time I heard this song, it was played on a rock station for Valentine’s Day. I was instantly hooked, and it was the first song I ever heard from this band. This Love is spectacular in nearly every possible way, combining angry vocals with angry bass, angry drumming, and among the angriest guitars you’ll ever hear. The song has two fantastic breakdowns (making me nearly a hypocrite) but is branched together by a grand guitar solo and Anselmo sounding his most heartbroken. If you are single, this is easily the best song to play during the Hallmark holiday. It is also one of the best love songs of all time, as you can feel the hurt, feel the pain, and feel the hate.
#2: Cowboys From Hell
Album: Cowboys From Hell
This is where the band changed its glam rock ways and became the band we all know and love. Starting with a sinister riff, and then unleashing an even better riff, Cowboys From Hell is one of the best introduction songs by any band at any given moment. Just like what “Killing in the Name Of” did to Rage Against the Machine, this song ushered a new sound, and displayed just what type of music you’ll be hearing from the band for years and years to come. Let’s not forget the slick guitar solo, great vocal-howling work and the fantastic overall production. This is one of the greatest metal songs of all-time, and there is no arguing this. Ever.
#1: Walk
Album: Vulgar Display of Power
The riff. The guitar solo. The drums. The bass. The lyrics. The vocals. The outro. It is all perfect, all of it. One of the few metal tracks I can deem absolutely flawless, Pantera’s “Walk” is not their heaviest sound, but it’s their best sound by far. Try listening to this and not headbang, or not become motivated to do something. This song is perfect for concerts, perfect for sporting events, perfect for metal preparation (Freudian slip, for the win!).
Dimebag provides us with an excellent distorted riff that clearly matches the grunge, hard rock, and metal scene all at the same time. It’s soft enough to reach the mainstream without killing any ears, but it’s hardcore enough to remind you that they are a band that can still destroy you. This song certifies Pantera as one of the great metal bands in history, and certifies Vulgar Display of Power as one of the greatest metal albums in the history of music. You can’t even name 5 metal albums released after 1992 that can match up to the quality of this band. Not possible.
Bottom Line: This article is about celebrating a great metal band that is leagues better than the current metal and hard rock scene. This article is trying to make you a fan of this underrated band. The southern style metal is intense, but not to a point of complete distortion and jumbled screaming. They howl, scream and snarl but unlike the music of today, you can still understand why. There are fast guitarists nowadays, but it is all skill and no substance. With Dimebag, you know why the notes played need to be played. I have been begging for a change in modern-day metal for years, and the only decently-known artist actually influenced by Pantera is the Spanish guitar-playing duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.
This must change.
Now.
Despite all this, I hope you enjoyed my selection of the best songs from a great band. Rest in Peace, Dimebag, you are still missed.
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