Pantera

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albums

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- Far Beyond Driven (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1994

- The Great Southern Trendkill (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1996

- Official Live: 101 Proof (Parental Advisory)
- Released 1997

- Cowboys From Hell
- Released 1990

biography

The preeminent metal band of the early to mid-'90s, Pantera put to rest any and all remnants of the '80s metal scene, almost single-handedly demolishing any notion that hair metal, speed metal, power metal, et al., were anything but passé. Loathe to admit it, the Texas band had in fact been one of those '80s metal bands, releasing fairly unsuccessful (and later disowned) glam-inspired music throughout much of the decade. The about-face came with the addition of vocalist Phil Anselmo, and the key turning point was the band's major-label debut, Cowboys from Hell (1990). Pantera's mainstream breakthrough came next with Vulgar Display of Power (1992), their second major-label album, which thrust the band to the forefront of the metal scene, alongside such veteran bands as Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax, as well as fellow up-and-comers Sepultura and White Zombie. By the time Pantera unleashed Far Beyond Driven (1994), after two long years of touring, they were the most popular metal band in the land: the new album debuted atop the Billboard Top 200 as its lead single, "I'm Broken," was getting massive airplay.

At the height of their popularity and influence, Pantera began to self-destruct. Less than two months after the release of The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) -- an album ridden with allusions to drug abuse and personal destruction -- Anselmo overdosed on heroin after a homecoming concert in Texas, and as tensions rose between him and his fellow bandmembers, he began engaging with a growing list of side projects that kept him away from Pantera. A live album, Official Live: 101 Proof (1997), was compiled for release when it became evident that no new studio album was forthcoming any time soon. One final studio album did result, Reinventing the Steel (2000), but that was more or less it for the briefly reunited Pantera. The bandmembers once again went their sperate ways, forming such bands as Damageplan, Down, and Superjoint Ritual.

The end of Pantera then became official on December 8, 2004, when guitarist Dimebag Darrell was murdered on-stage by a deranged fan. This much-publicized murder shone the spotlight back on Pantera for an extended moment, and amid all of the emotional outpouring and tributes, a consensus arose: in retrospect, there was no greater metal band during the early to mid-'90s than Pantera, who inspired a legion of rabid fans and whose oft-termed "groove metal" style bucked all prevailing trends of the day -- from hair metal and grunge to nu-metal and rap-metal -- and remains singular to this day, as defined by the vocals of Anselmo as it is by the guitar of Dimebag. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide

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- - Pantera
  - - By Bloodstainedsld
    - 10/9/2009 07:35:17
  - Pantera is my all time favorite band. Its a shame i wasn't born when they were in their prime and during the latter stages i was too young to go see them live. Dime was my main influence to start playing the guitar. Dont pay attention to that schmuk Satan Is Me. Anyways whats your favorite track(s) by them Pantera Fans? I can't give only one, but my top three are: Floods, Nothin On (But the Radio), and Shedding Skin. But of course, i love all their songs...equally.
    I love playing Suicide Note 1 on my acoustic. but its just a 6 string so it doesnt sound as good as the 12 string electric acoustic dime used. I think i have all the dvds, albums(for sure), and i need more tab books, unless they only had the one (which i have)
    
    BTW I'm going to be the top listener. Soon...
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- - Ive had enough of SATAN IS ME
  - - By EL SL33PY
    - 10/2/2009 04:51:09
  - First of all....
    @SATAN IS ME...
    Screw You.
    Ive seen many of your comments around many bands and not one positive.
    You think you can play the music these artistic minds.... artistic bands play?
    I dont effin think so.
    You swear your the epitomy of opinion.
    Your opinions are BLEAK to me...You know why?
    Because you are so idiotic and ignorant that you cant see that these bands own.
    
    Anyways.... Pantera I completely love all of your albums. You are one of the most influencial metal bands of ALL TIME. Create a new album please =]
    
    R.I.P. Dimebag
  - 1 out of 1 people
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- - Words cannot express . . . . .
  - - By stricnyne81
    - 8/27/2009 09:09:17
  - I visited Darrell's grave site the other day, really puts a perspective on his absence in the music scene. It is truly sad that we will never hear him play one of his crazy solos again.
    
    I can't help but think that him and SRV are up there having the guitar duel to end all guitar duels.
  - 3 out of 3 people
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- - whats metal and full of holes?
  - - By satan is me
    - 8/16/2009 00:54:46
  - dime fag darrel!! haha funny joke
    
    this band is gay on a grand scale sheep evrywhere listen to this gay shit ... suck my balls
  - 0 out of 13 people
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- - :(
  - - By camthesk8er
    - 8/2/2009 23:46:53
  - pour some out for dime and all those who were damaged by the loss of one of our metal brethren...
  - 3 out of 4 people
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