Pantera formed in Arlington, Texas, in the early 1980s. From humble (and glam rock) beginnings, they would become one of the most influential heavy metal bands ever. Huge in the 1990s and still revered today, these cowboys from hell brought swagger and style to the music. They even pioneered a new sound with their groove metal. The classic lineup of vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, drummer Vinnie Paul, and bassist Rex Brown remains among the most iconic in heavy metal music.

Pantera logo – 1990s

Evolution of Pantera’s album covers (1983-2000)

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Early Days (1983-1988)

Although best known for their iconic albums from 1990 to 2000, Pantera released their debut in 1983. The first four albums were all released in the 1980s on their independent label. They had a glam-rock sound and were much different from their later releases. Disregard the album covers, as they are rather awful, but don’t solely judge an album by its cover. One can like both the glam-rock and groove-metal sides of Pantera.

I had heard bits and pieces of their early stuff but sat down and listened to them from start to finish. The first two are surprisingly good, and “Power Metal” is a classic. Are they as good as “Vulgar Display of Power?” Well, yes and no. Pantera’s heavy sound scratches the itch if you feel like blowing off steam, but the early albums have a more laid-back vibe. Totally different, but both eras have their time and place for listening.

Early Pantera logo

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Metal Magic (1983)

While overlooked by the band and most fans alike, the early albums are decent.

“Metal Magic,” released in 1983, takes influences from KISS, Journey, Poison, Cinderella, and Aldo Nova. Some of it is juvenile or generic, but some catchy tunes are present. It’s a fun album and worth a visit (or revisit.) “Ride My Rocket,” “Tell Me If You Want It,” “Widowmaker,” and “Nothin’ On (But the Radio)” were at least as good, if not better, than comparable music on the radio at the time.

Some of it may feel dated, especially compared to their later albums. But it’s better than average, especially for a group of teenagers. The debut featured Terry Glaze on vocals and guitar, Darrell Abbott on guitar, Vince Abbott on drums, and Rex Rocker (Rex Brown) on bass.

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Projects in the Jungle (1984)

Pantera followed up with their second album in 1984. “Projects in the Jungle” features killer guitar riffs and thumping drums. Def Leppard significantly influenced this one, especially their “Pyromania” album. There’s also some Mötley Crüe, Poison, Van Halen, and Dokken mixed in there.

Highlights include “In Over My Head,” “Heavy Metal Rules!,” “Only a Heartbeat Away,” and “Takin’ My Life.” This is a solid album and my favorite of their first four. If you like the Def Leppard sound, you’d like this one. It has some catchy moments in it. The production quality improved over their debut, and the album sounds polished and professional. Pantera could have stuck with glam metal and been fairly successful at it. However, the genre itself would soon fade away into a different sound. Their first two albums still rock forty years later.

The album credits included two name changes: Vocalist Terry Glaze became “Terrence Lee,” and Darrell Abbott became “Diamond Darrell.” He wouldn’t become Dimebag Darrell until years later.

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I Am the Night (1985)

Pantera released “I Am the Night” in 1985. Although their third album was heavier than the first two and decent overall, it was a hit or a miss for me. It was enjoyable to hear, especially the second half, but I liked their first two albums better. Dokken seems to have influenced this one, with “Forever Tonight” the album’s best song. It would be their last to feature Terry Glaze on vocals and their final glam metal album.

Nonetheless, the evolution of Pantera’s sound would continue. Terry Glaze left the band soon after the album’s release, reportedly because he and the others disagreed on the band’s direction. (He wanted to keep doing glam metal, while the others wanted a heavier sound.) The band auditioned a few temporary replacements before Phil Anselmo joined in 1986.

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Power Metal (1988)

Pantera released their fourth album, “Power Metal,” with a different singer and an evolving sound. It was the first to feature Phil Anselmo on vocals. The album is the best-known of their first four. It served as a bridge from their glam metal roots to the signature groove metal sound in the 1990s. Judas Priest likely played a heavy influence, as did Ratt, Queensrÿche, and even Iron Maiden, Skid Row, or Anthrax. Phil’s clean falsetto vocals and screams (like Rob Halford from Judas Priest) starkly contrast his gruff and rough sound later in Pantera. It also shows his range as a singer. Highlights from the album include “Power Metal,” “We’ll Meet Again,” “Proud to Be Loud,” and “Hard Ride.”

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Decade of Dominance (1990-2000)

As the 1980s rolled on into the 1990s, glam metal was on its way out. Pantera evolved with the times, and its music matured. Although the early albums have their moments, and even some avid fans, the band has nearly disowned them. Their official website doesn’t mention the first four, and they’re unavailable on Spotify. Head to YouTube if you want to listen, while physical copies of the albums are collector’s items. (If you’re interested, someone is currently selling three of the four albums on cassettes for $1,500 or best offer on eBay. )

Pantera: Dimebag Darrell, Phil Anselmo, Vinnie Paul, and Rex Brown

Cowboys From Hell (1990)

Pantera was reborn with their 1990 major-label debut album “Cowboys From Hell.” It had a new sound and perfected lineup. The popular album eventually sold over two million units, becoming certified double platinum. With instant classics such as “Cowboys From Hell,” “Cemetery Gates,” and “Domination,” the band found a new audience. Soon after the album’s release, Pantera performed at the 1991 “Monsters in Moscow” concert opening for Metallica and AC/DC, among others. Official audience numbers widely vary, but some say it was between 500,000 and 1.5 million people. Pantera’s popularity would soar in the 1990s.

RIAA Certifications:

• Gold | September 14, 1993 (500,000 copies sold)
• Platinum | July 16, 1997 (1,000,000 copies sold)
• 2x Platinum | May 26, 2023 (2,000,000 copies sold)

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Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

In 1991, Metallica released the Black Album. While arguably some of their best work, many thought the band left their thrash and heavy metal roots. With someone needing to fill the gap, Pantera decided to, either subconsciously or not, record a heavier album. The band released their sixth album in 1992.

For “Vulgar Display of Power,” vocalist Phil Anselmo shed the remnants of his falsetto power metal vocals. He went with a deeper, heavier, rough and tough growl. Everything, in fact, was heavier with this album, with Pantera establishing their signature groove-metal sound. It was also around this time that guitarist Darrell Abbott, who had been using the nickname “Diamond Darrell,” transformed into “Dimebag Darrell”—helping the band further establish their iconic image.

“Vulgar’ featured the songs “A New Level,” “Fucking Hostile,” “This Love,” “Hollow.,” and “Walk”—which would become a fan favorite and one of Pantera’s most popular songs. It was arguably also one of Dimebag Darrell’s most iconic guitar riffs, among the countless ones at his fingertips.

While their 1990 “Cowboys From Hell” album had been well-received and popular, ‘Vulgar’ was their mainstream breakthrough, thanks, in part, to substantial radio airplay and music videos in heavy rotation on MTV. An extensive tour followed, with the band playing shows in the U.S., Europe, and even Japan for the first time.

Pantera, 1992 (Photo Credit: Fort Worth-Star Telegram)

Approved by critics and fans alike, ‘Vulgar’ eventually sold over two million copies in the U.S. alone and was certified as double platinum. It would become the best-selling album of their career—a definitive moment for the band, with many calling it the most influential heavy metal album of the 1990s.

RIAA Certifications:

• Gold | February 9, 1993 (500,000 copies sold)
• Platinum | November 7, 1997 (1,000,000 copies sold)
• 2x Platinum | July 7, 2004 (2,000,000 copies sold)

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Far Beyond Driven (1994)

Pantera released their seventh album in 1994, “Far Beyond Driven.” Riding the success of “Vulgar Display of Power,” the band followed up with an even heavier sound. “Far Beyond Driven” featured “Becoming,” “5 Minutes Alone,” “I’m Broken,” and a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan.” The album debuted at Number 1 on the United States and Australian charts. It also resulted in their first Grammy nomination for the song “I’m Broken.” Although less successful than their previous attempt, the album would sell over 1.5 million copies.

RIAA Certifications:

• Gold | May 9, 1994 (500,000 copies sold)
• Platinum | November 7, 1997 (1,000,000 copies sold)

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The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)

After “Far Beyond Driven,” band tensions (mostly between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers) escalated. Internal demons, substance abuse, creative differences, money, and fame, among other things, began to take their toll. Although estranged, with Phil recording separately from the rest of the band, Pantera released their eighth album in 1996. “The Great Southern Trendkill” is brutal. It’s faster, heavier, and more aggressive than anything they did before or since. While not as successful as other albums, ‘Trendkill’ still sold over 1 million copies worldwide. (I was 13 when it came out, and it was my introduction to Pantera. It’s still one of my favorites from them.)

Led by the title track, “Drag the Waters,” “Suicide Note Pt. II,” and the haunting “Floods,” the album contained many notable songs, although it somewhat overlooked from their earlier releases. This album feels different, though, and knowing of the band’s tension at the time plays into that.

RIAA Certifications:

• Gold | June 25, 1996 (500,000 copies sold)
• Platinum | August 17, 2004 (1,000,000 copies sold)

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Official Live: 101 Proof (1997)

Pantera released their “Official Live: 101 Proof” album in 1997. Capturing the band’s prime, the album included 14 live tracks and two new studio recordings. The album is a blistering assault of their greatest hits, and it remains my favorite release from the band. Highlights from the album include “Walk,” “Becoming,” “5 Minutes Alone,” “Dom/Hollow,” “This Love,” “I’m Broken,” “Cowboys from Hell,” and “Cemetery Gates.”

RIAA Certifications:

• Gold | May 14, 1999 (500,000 copies sold)

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Reinventing the Steel (2000)

Pantera released their final studio album in 2000. it included “Goddamn Electric,” “Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit,” and “Revolution Is My Name.” It’s the band’s least-popular selling album of their major-label studio releases. Reviews were generally positive, and it quickly sold a half million copies to become certified gold. Yet, album sales soon went stagnant. It was their first major studio release since 1990 that sold less than a million copies. Some people say that it was the wrong place/wrong time, as bands like Korn, Slipknot, Linkin Park, Rammstein, and System of a Down were becoming popular.

Nonetheless, “Reinventing the Steel” contains some solid songs. It’s filled with heavy riffs and powerful punches. Whether intended to be their swag song or not, the album is introspective at times, with the lyrics being more about the band themselves and their legacy. The album is also a throwback to their roots, with many songs under the influence of Judas Priest or Black Sabbath. Yet, the magic of Pantera’s previous albums wasn’t quite there. The band had evolved and maybe outgrown themselves, for better or worse.

RIAA Certifications:

• Gold | May 2, 2000 (500,000 copies sold)

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The Final Chapter…and a Reunion

Amid continual tensions, Pantera disbanded in 2003. Tragically, guitarist Dimebag Darrell was murdered in 2004, putting an end to any chance of a reunion with the core lineup. Drummer Vinnie Paul died in 2018. Both are buried side-by-side in Arlington. Brothers reunited.

Reissues and anniversary editions

Since the band’s final album, their five major-label studio albums have been reissued and released in anniversary editions. Vinyl releases have become popular. A few official/unofficial bootleg live albums and a handful of EPs are available.

Soundtracks compilation albums, videos

Pantera contributed several songs to soundtracks and compilation albums in the 1990s and early 2000s. Side projects for band members were numerous, including Down, Superjoint, Damageplan, Hellyeah, and Rebel Meets Rebel.

Dimebag and Vinnie wrote “Puck Off,” which the Dallas Stars used as a fight song in their 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs run. (They were huge Dallas Stars fans and often hung out with some of the players.) The team then used the song as an after-scoring anthem at American Airlines Center. It’s still used today.

The story of “Puck Off” as told by Vinnie Paul

The band released nearly 20 music videos and three “home videos” featuring performances, backstage footage, mischief, and debauchery—lots of debauchery.

Reunion Tour

In 2023, vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown recruited guitarist Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) for a reunion/legacy tour. Although met with skepticism, the tour has mainly been viewed as a fitting tribute to brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul and the band’s legacy.

Influences and legacy

Pantera cites Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, KISS, Van Halen, and Metallica as major influences. Likewise, bands such as Slipknot, Lamb of God, and Five Finger Death Punch, among many others, cite Pantera as an influence.

Pantera has sold an estimated 10 million albums worldwide, with reportedly over 2 billion streams on Spotify. The band remains influential and popular with fans worldwide, more than 30 years after “Cowboys From Hell.”

The band left an undeniable mark on heavy metal. Known for their unmistakable sound and hard-partying ways, the band defied expectations and trends. They did what they wanted, and there never will be another band like Pantera.

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Photo Credits: Wikipedia

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 07-14-24