Pantera

At one time, Pantera was one of the most successful metal bands in the world, carving out a legacy that redefined the definition of metal in the 1990s. While starting out as a glam metal band, Pantera radically changed their sound and image with their 1990 album Cowboys From Hell. From there, Pantera would have great success, until internal turmoil between band members broke the band apart in 2003.

Pantera was formed by the Abbott brothers (guitarist Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul) in 1981. The band was heavily influenced by Van Halen and Kiss in its early years, churning out a glam metal sound that slowly got heavier and heavier as time went on. With the acquisition of vocalist Phil Anselmo in 1987, Pantera almost completely steered away from glam metal on their 1988 album Power Metal.

With the 1990 album Cowboys From Hell, Pantera found an identity, one that garnished the band critical and commercial success. Each sequential album did better than the last, with the high point being the band’s 1994 album Far Beyond Driven debuting at number one on the Billboard charts.

Vocalist Phil Anselmo became addicted to heroin to deal with his back problems, which began to tear the band apart. The quality of their live shows suffered and the band began to fight amongst themselves. It all came to a head after the release of Reinventing The Steel, where Anselmo began to focus on his side projects more than on Pantera. The band split up under less than amicable terms.

Any hopes of a reunion were dashed when guitarist Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed onstage December 8th, 2004 during a live show with his new band, Damageplan, in Columbus, Ohio.

Crowbar, Lamb Of God, Down

Phil Anselmo - Vocals (Superjoint Ritual, Down, Christ Inversion)
Dimebag Darrell Abbott - Guitar (Damageplan)
Rex Brown - Bass (Down)
Vinnie Paul Abbott - Drums (Damageplan, Hellyeah)

Donny Hart - Vocals (1981-1982)
Terry Glaze - Vocals (1982-1986)
Matt L’Amour - Vocals (1986)
Rick Mythiasin - Vocals (1986)
David Peacock - Vocals (1986-1987)
Tommy Bradford - Bass (1981-1982)

1983 Metal Magic (Metal Magic)
1984 Projects In The Jungle (Metal Magic)
1985 I Am The Night (Metal Magic)
1988 Power Metal (Metal Magic)
1990 Cowboys From Hell (Atco)
1992 Vulgar Display Of Power (Atco)
1994 Far Beyond Driven (East West)
1996 The Great Southern Trendkill (East West)
1997 Official Live: 101 Proof (East West)
2000 Reinventing The Steel (East West)

Best Pantera CDs
The best Pantera albums, as selected by About.com Heavy Metal.

Cowboys From Hell
1990’s Cowboys From Hell was Pantera reinventing themselves and dropping any traces of glam metal influences, leaning towards a groove metal sound. Cowboys From Hell gave the band their first critical and commercial success, with songs like the title track, the epic ballad “Cemetery Gates,” and the aggressive “Domination” becoming staples in the band’s live shows. The songwriting is top-notch, Phil Anselmo showed off a fantastic vocal range, and the Abbott brothers put in the best performances of their respected careers.