So up next is a band who is long overdue. I mean I’ve already reviewed a couple of the frontman’s other albums and gave them good reviews so why not his main band. Of course I am talking about Pantera and they are up on the chopping block. Now really I feel like I don’t need to really give much of their backstory as anyone who likes metal should know and if you don’t then stop reading this and go do you homework. Anyway, here we go….
Metal Magic- yes that’s right I am reviewing all their albums including their hair metal phase. After hearing this album I must say that overall, it’s not terrible and it’s not unlistenable (cough cough Fear Inoculum cough cough) however, it’s a very different version of Pantera so if you are looking for those heavy Dimebag riffs that are on an album like Cowboys, look elsewhere. I give this one 2/10
Standouts: I’ll Be Alright, Metal Magic, Ride My Rocket
Projects in the Jungle- wow definitely the best album that Def Leppard has so oh wait wrong band. This one is definitely more of the same except Dimebag’s guitar playing is very reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen and you can tell that’s who they were listening to at the time. While I am not a fan of Terry Glaze’s voice, those that like this kind of music will appreciate this more. It gets a 3/10
Standouts: Out For Blood, Heavy Metal Rules, Killers
I Am The Night- of all the albums thus far, this is the heaviest. Here we start to sort of hear the sound that Dime was known for with his guitar solos. I feel,like the production on here is weird but maybe I was listening to a not so good version of this album. This is also the last album with Terry Glaze on vocals. Anyway, this is not my favorite kind of music and it gets 3/10.
Standouts: Valhalla, Hot and Heavy, Onward We Rock
Power Metal- well this is it everyone. The first official album with Phil Anselmo and how is the album? It’s not that great. I mean they are still in their glam phase however, the music is starting to sound thrashy. I mean if I had just gotten into them and knew nothing about them, I would think that there is a different singer on this album. The one good thing about this is that the guitar work is really good. This one and the others are good to check out if you are curious but I won’t be revisiting these records anytime soon and they are easily skipable. This album gets 2/10
Standouts: Power Metal, Burn, Down Below
Cowboys From Hell- here we go. Finally we are at the albums that everyone knows and likes. I mean what to say that hasn’t been said before? Well, you can clearly tell that they were influenced by bands like Slayer and Metallica on here. We are now away from glam territory and into thrash mode. What I will say is that there is a faint hint of elements from the last album. I don’t know I can’t explain it. But maybe if you listen to this one and Power Metal back to back you’ll see what I mean. Anyway, I give this album 9/10
Standouts: Heresy, Psycho Holiday, Medicine Man
A Vulgar Display Of Power- again what to say about this classic album? Well it’s more aggressive than Cowboys. I would actually even say it’s heavier than that album. I feel like this is the album that really made them Pantera. Everything about this album is badass. I mean the drumming from Vinny Paul is top notch and Dimebag’s solos and riffs are just absolutely badass. Phil’s vocals are also more aggressive on here too. I give this 10/10
Standouts: Rise, By Demons Be Driven, Regular People (Conceit)
Far Beyond Driven- to me this is the heaviest Pantera album. Like if you are looking for a good album to start with, this would be my recommendation. It’s just so heavy and aggressive. Here I feel like they are at their tightest and the songs are more focused. I have no choice but to give this one 10/10 it’s a perfect album.
Standouts: Strength Beyond Strength, Throes of Rejection, Slaughtered
The Great Southern Trendkill- the thing with Pantera albums is that they never make the same album twice. The sound on this one seems grittier and the production is rougher but yet the album sounds fantastic. Like the last album, this is another one I’d recommend you start with. It’s another 10/10
Standouts: The Underground in America, Living Through Me (Hell’s Wrath), 13 Steps To Nowhere
Reinventing The Steel- I feel like people either like this album or don’t like it. Not sure why because it’s a great album. The songs are slowed down a little bit more on here but the album itself isn’t bad. For me, it doesn’t have that groove that I’m used to but I will say that the riffs are absolutely badass. It’s really sad that this would be their last album and that they couldn’t make up and continue to make more albums. I give this 9/10
Standouts: Uplift, Hellbound, Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit
I feel like this is one of those bands that if I had a time machine, it would go back to the 90’s and see them live. It really is too bad that the Abbott brothers are no longer with us and that they couldn’t have put their differences aside. I’m almost certain that if they were both alive, Dime would’ve jammed with Down or Superjoint and Phil probably would’ve sang a song during a Damageplan show. I’m almost certain that somewhere down the line there would’ve been a Pantera reunion but sadly it will never happen. RIP Dime and Vinny
Final Grade: A
Album Rankings:
- Far Beyond Driven
- The Great Southern Trendkill
- A Vulgar Display Of Power
- Reinventing The Steel
- Cowboys From Hell
- Power Metal
- Projects In The Jungle
- I Am The Night
- Metal Magic
Sinister Reviews 