Pantera

Pantera
Dimebag.jpg: April Ashford-Forsythe W0830-Hellfest2013 Down PhilAnselmo KirkWind · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Pantera
Caption	Dimebag Darrell, Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown, and Vinnie Paul
Background	group

Pantera was a renowned American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. The band's music was heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden, and they are often credited with helping to popularize the groove metal genre, alongside bands like Exhorder and Prong. Pantera's unique sound was characterized by Dimebag Darrell's aggressive and intricate guitar playing, Phil Anselmo's powerful vocals, and the rhythm section of Rex Brown and Vinnie Paul. The band's music was also influenced by Southern rock and punk rock, with bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Misfits being cited as inspirations.

History

Pantera's early years were marked by a series of independent record label releases, including their debut album, Metal Magic, which was released in 1983 on Metal Magic Records. The band's big break came in 1988 when they signed with Atco Records and released their major-label debut, Power Metal. However, it was their 1990 album, Cowboys From Hell, that brought them mainstream success, with songs like Cemetery Gates and Psycho Holiday receiving heavy rotation on MTV and radio stations like WSOU and WXRK. The band's subsequent albums, including Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven, solidified their position as one of the leading heavy metal bands of the 1990s, alongside bands like Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. Pantera's music was also influenced by thrash metal bands like Kreator and Sodom, and they were often compared to other groove metal bands like White Zombie and Coal Chamber.

Members

The band's original lineup consisted of Dimebag Darrell on guitar, Vinnie Paul on drums, Rex Brown on bass, and Terry Glaze on vocals. However, it was the addition of Phil Anselmo on vocals in 1987 that completed the band's most successful lineup, which also included Matt Lauer and David Peacock as touring musicians. Dimebag Darrell was known for his innovative and influential guitar playing, which was influenced by Eddie Van Halen and Tony Iommi, and he was often cited as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, alongside Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Vinnie Paul was also an accomplished drummer, who had played with bands like Damageplan and Hellyeah, and had been influenced by John Bonham and Neil Peart.

Discography

Pantera's discography includes eight studio albums, two live albums, and several compilations and singles. Some of their most notable albums include Cowboys From Hell, Vulgar Display of Power, and Far Beyond Driven, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making them the first heavy metal band to achieve this feat since Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of Ozz. The band's music was released on several labels, including Atco Records, East West Records, and Elektra Records, and they had worked with producers like Terry Date and Sterling Winfield. Pantera's albums had been certified gold and platinum by the RIAA, and they had sold over 20 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling heavy metal bands of all time, alongside Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.

Style and Influence

Pantera's music was characterized by its aggressive and heavy sound, which was influenced by thrash metal and hardcore punk. The band's style was also influenced by Southern rock and blues, with bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top being cited as inspirations. Pantera's music had a significant influence on the heavy metal genre, with bands like Korn, Slipknot, and Lamb of God citing them as an influence, alongside other bands like Tool and Alice in Chains. The band's music was also praised by critics, with Rolling Stone and Kerrang! magazine citing them as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, alongside Metallica and Guns N' Roses.

Awards and Legacy

Pantera won several awards during their career, including four Grammy Award nominations and a Kerrang! Award for Best International Band. The band was also named one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time by Rolling Stone and MTV, and they were inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 2007, alongside other notable Texas musicians like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Buddy Holly. Pantera's music continues to be popular today, with their albums remaining in heavy rotation on radio stations and music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, and they are widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful heavy metal bands of all time, alongside Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. Category:Heavy metal bands