Classc Metal Review: Reliving Pantera's fury of music

When I'm asked about one of my favourite bands of all time, I usually put Pantera into that list. My sis bought my Vulgar Display of Power for my birthday one year, and from then on I was a freakin' major Pantera fan. Hell, most of my yearbook or pics from high school show me wearing Pantera shirts (I was (am) so metal!).

For this week's classic metal review, I'm going to look at Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power and dedicate this to the late Dimebag Darrell, who was unfortunately killed almost two years ago at a club by a senseless shooting.

Vulgar Display of Power is exactly what the names states: one hell of a musical thrashing. Even the CD cover shows you exactly what you're in for: someone being punched in the face with fury.

Pantera's second major label CD stems away from their 80's rock image and sound that was apparent on "Cowboys from Hell" and their indie CDs. Pantera showed the world that they had the attitude, song writing capability and musical talent on this release and it wasn't long after that Pantera became a household name (well, to those of us who are metal, anyway).

The disc kicks off with "Mouth for War," an audio assault that will have you groovin' and bashin' your head at the same time. Even if the first part of the song doesn't catch you, the ending will sure kick you in the ass.

From there, Pantera's two great masterpieces, "New Level" and "Walk," are presented to the listener. I have no idea how anyone who loves hard rock and metal can't like these songs. They're hard, they're angry and they rock!

Other gems on this disc are "Rise," "By Demons Be Driven," and the amazing CD closer, "Hollow." Now, by highlighting these songs, that's not saying that the rest of the disc sucks. Every song on this one is killer, but those are just some of my preferences.

One great thing about Pantera's music is that vocalist Phil Anselmo put thought into every word he wrote, and because he has a message that he wants to get across, it is really reflects in his vocal delivery. Even on the live album ("101 Proof") you can hear 110 percent of his emotion in his performance.

Pantera also introduced the world to the amazing guitar playing of Dimebag Darrell (RIP). Guitar magazines around the world wanted him on their covers and to comment on his guitar playing. He was that damn good! If for some strange reason you're a guitarist and you've never listened to this band, make sure you sample some of their songs immediately.

If you haven't picked up by this classic metal review, this disc is a must have. I can sum it up by saying that if you have it, I hope you still love it and crank it. And if you don't own this disc, shame on you. Go buy it now as well as their back catalogue.

If you love metal and band DVDs, their DVD that features all three Pantera home videos were (and still are) notorious for showing bands having the most fun (or danger) they can on the road. RIP Dimebag and Pantera.
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