Pantera

Pantera, a heavy metal band hailing from Arlington, Texas, is widely recognized as one of the most influential groups in heavy metal history. Their unique style is often referred to as “groove metal,” which is characterized by guitar riffing at mid-tempo speeds instead of breakneck speeds.

Initially, the band started as a glam metal act before changing directions in 1990 with a heavier and more aggressive sound, which brought them commercial success. It was not until the arrival of lead vocalist Phil Anselmo in 1987 that Pantera started gaining national recognition. The Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell, served as the band’s drummer and guitarist, respectively. Rex Brown played bass, and Terry Glaze performed as the lead vocalist in the band's early years.

From the early ’80s to 1985, the band released three glam metal records that earned them regional popularity but no national breakthrough. Their music took a different direction in 1986 and 1987 when thrash metal albums like Reign in Blood, Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?, Master of Puppets, and Among the Living dominated the metal scene, subsequently compelling Pantera to play heavier.

The Band’s Evolution

Pantera's first album with Anselmo, Power Metal, while not a full-on heavy metal album, was still much heavier than their first three records. Shortly after the album's release, Diamond Darrell auditioned for Megadeth but declined the position because his brother could not join. The band's next album, Cowboys from Hell, showed them leaving their glam roots behind in favor of a thrash metal sound. The band considered it their first proper album, as the previous four albums were not even included on the band’s website.

Rex Rocker and Diamond Darrell changed their stage names to emphasize the band’s shift away from glam metal, adopting the names Rex Brown and Dimebag Darrell. Their next two albums, Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven, showcased an even heavier sound and pioneered what became the ‘groove metal’ style. Both albums were incredibly successful, with Far Beyond Driven even debuting at #1 on the US Album Chart, one of the heaviest albums ever to do so.

Although the band’s tensions continued to tear them apart with Anselmo's increasing alcoholism and strange behavior due to his back pain and subsequent alcohol overuse to quell it, the band’s last two albums, The Great Southern Trendkill and Reinventing the Steel, were still very successful. Despite not receiving as much love from fans as their previous three albums had, these albums helped the band maintain their success.

The Tragic End

Following 9/11 and the resultant cancellation of their tour, Anselmo and Dimebag’s relationship became increasingly strained. Anselmo released two albums with his side-projects, Down and Superjoint Ritual, which frustrated the Abbott brothers. They came to the decision to break up Pantera in 2003, believing that Anselmo had abandoned the band.

The brothers formed Damageplan, but a war of words between them and Anselmo continued, with the latter eventually telling Metal Hammer magazine that “Dimebag deserves to be beaten severely.” On December 8, 2004, while performing with Damageplan, Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed along with three others by a deranged fan. This tragic event destroyed any hopes of ever seeing a Pantera reunion.

The Legacy

Pantera pioneered the groove metal sound, which became a defining characteristic of metal in the ‘90s. Their influence extended to bands like Lamb of God, Slipknot, and Machine Head. Their music continues to inspire new generations of heavy metal musicians.

Pantera’s music was marked by intense riffs, aggressive bass, pounding drums, and raw vocals. Their music was unapologetically heavy, with a unique sound that continues to be celebrated today.

Despite the tragic end to the band, Pantera’s music and influence live on, cementing their place in heavy metal history.