Pantera | History of the Band
Groove Metal Giants: Tracing Pantera's Musical Evolution and Enduring Legacy in the 1990s
Formation and Early Years
Pantera, an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, was formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers, guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band's best-known lineup came together in the mid-1980s, consisting of the Abbott brothers, bassist Rex Brown, and vocalist Phil Anselmo. Initially, Pantera played glam metal, but they shifted towards a heavier sound with the recruitment of Anselmo in 1986 and the release of their album "Power Metal" in 1988.
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Musical Style and Evolution
In the 1990s, Pantera became pioneers of the groove metal genre, starting with their 1990 album "Cowboys from Hell." This marked a significant departure from their earlier glam metal style. Their sound evolved further with the release of "Vulgar Display of Power" in 1992, which featured heavier riffs and more aggressive vocals. The band continued to refine their style with subsequent albums like "Far Beyond Driven" (1994), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, "The Great Southern Trendkill" (1996), and "Reinventing the Steel" (2000).
Discography and Notable 90s Albums
"Cowboys from Hell" (1990): This album marked a turning point in Pantera's career, introducing their groove metal sound. It received critical acclaim and achieved 2× Platinum status in the U.S.
"Vulgar Display of Power" (1992): Known for its heavy riffs and powerful vocals, this album was a commercial success, achieving 2× Platinum status in the U.S. and spawning singles like "Walk" and "Mouth for War."
"Far Beyond Driven" (1994): This album showcased an even heavier sound and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, eventually achieving Platinum status.
"The Great Southern Trendkill" (1996): Featuring a more experimental approach, this album received positive reviews and achieved Platinum status in the U.S.
"Reinventing the Steel" (2000): The band's final studio album before their breakup received positive reviews and achieved Gold status in the U.S..
Critical Reception
Pantera's albums in the 1990s were met with critical acclaim and commercial success. "Vulgar Display of Power" was particularly praised for its guitar work and aggressive sound, with AllMusic rating it 4.5 out of 5 stars and Entertainment Weekly giving it an A. The album's influence on heavy metal was significant, with Kerrang! And Sputnikmusic both gave it high ratings.
Influence and Legacy
After Pantera disbanded in 2003, its members pursued various musical projects. Phil Anselmo continued working on several side projects, including Down, a band that Rex Brown joined. He also formed Superjoint Ritual and Philip H. Anselmo & the Illegals. Apart from joining Down, Rex Brown worked on other projects, including Kill Devil Hill. Vinnie Paul co-founded Damageplan with his brother, Dimebag Darrell. After Darrell's tragic death, Vinnie formed the band Hellyeah. Unfortunately, Darrell was killed on stage during a Damageplan concert in 2004.
In July 2022, it was announced that Brown and Anselmo were reuniting for Pantera's first tour in 22 years, with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante filling in for the Abbott brothers on guitar and drums, respectively.
Pantera has significantly impacted the metal genre, and many bands have cited them as a major influence. Lamb of God has often been compared to Pantera and has cited them as an influence. Members of Slipknot have mentioned Pantera as one of their influences. Machine Head's frontman, Robb Flynn, has often spoken about Pantera's impact on their music. In their early work, Avenged Sevenfold has cited Pantera as an influence. Trivium has mentioned Pantera as one of their influences, especially in their approach to guitar work and heavy riffs. These are just a few examples of the many bands influenced by Pantera's groundbreaking approach to metal music.
Pantera's output in the 1990s solidified its place in heavy metal history. Their evolution from glam metal to a heavier, more aggressive sound defined the era and impacted the genre. The band's innovative approach to metal, combined with their commercial success and critical acclaim, cements their legacy as one of the most essential metal bands of the 1990s.
Sources
Wikipedia
BLABBERMOUTH.NET
Loudwire