Thrash Under Pressure: Pantera

Thrash wasn’t confined to America’s east and west coasts. While the Big 4, et al were progressing quite well, something else was occurring in Texas.

Pantera formed in 1981 as a glam metal band and eventually saw the error of their ways. They recruited vocalist Phil Anselmo in pursuit of a heavier sound.

The first three albums can happily be discounted when reviewing Pantera’s legacy. The band eschewed the familiar line-up changes practised by other bands and stuck with Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, drummer Vinnie Paul and bassist Rex for the great part of their career.

1988’s Power Metal was the first release with the legendary line-up and it wasn’t immediately a success. There were glimpses of what was to come with elements of thrash, but they still held on to their glam roots.

When Cowboys From Hell was released in 1990, Pantera had finally arrived. They had found a sound that worked and they were writing amazing songs. The opening title track signals their future intent and they slid into the thrash scene effortlessly. It was as if they’d always been around.

Cowboys… was by far the heaviest album Pantera had recorded, but they outdid themselves on Vulgar Display of Power. The cover photo of a guy being punched in the face (he was reportedly paid $10 per punch and took 30 before the perfect shot was captured) tells you all you need to know about how this album sounds. It’s jam-packed with anthemic thrash and sounds as fresh today as it did 23 years ago. Walk, in particular is nothing short of epic.

There was a definite groove to their sound, but unlike others who were attempting similar and failing miserably, Pantera had found their niche.

Far Beyond Driven followed. It was very well-received by the metal media and fans alike. Strength Beyond Strength opens proceedings and sounds like a three minute pummelling. They were becoming heavier and heavier. The groove was still there, along with doominess, hardcore and Sabbath-esque riffage. It was like the greatest musical cocktail ever mixed.

Pantera were going from strength to strength. At least in a musical sense. Personnel-wise, Anselmo created tension in the band when he began using heroin. A near-fatal overdose almost signalled the end for the Texans in 1996, but their story wasn’t about to end there.

Anselmo recorded the vocals for The Great Southern Trendkill separately to the rest of the band. He was lucky to be alive, but there was still a lot of tension. It isn’t necessarily apparent on the record, although it was ever so slightly weaker than their previous outing. That’s not really a criticism, as a slightly weak Pantera is like a slightly weak Barcelona – they’ll both turn up and brush aside the competition with minimal effort.

2000’s Reinventing The Steel was Pantera’s final album. The members were on better terms by this point. It’s a fantastic way to bow out and features a guest appearance by none other than the legendary Kerry King.

The only peculiar thing about Pantera is the lack of a rhythm guitar track with some solos. It’s distinctly “un-thrash”, but it at least can be replicated live. Bands with only one guitarist often struggle to match their records whilst onstage.

Rumours began circulating almost immediately after they’d split up of a reunion. The events of 8th December 2004 put paid to this.

Dimebag and Vinnie Paul had formed a new band, Damageplan, and were playing a show in Columbus, Ohio. Less than a minute into their set, an unhinged “fan”, Nathan Gale, climbed onstage and shot and killed Dimebag.

It was one of the saddest days in thrash history and a dark day for music in general.

 

 

Put them on your playlist: Mouth for War, Fucking Hostile