Talking about Pantera is talking about history, about a band that managed to conquer the world of metal at a time when many believed the golden years of the genre were already behind. And who would have thought that this band started out as a Glam Rock band? That’s right, many may not know it, but “Cowboys From Hell” is their fifth album, and the four preceding albums had a distinct Glam Rock style, without much success. It wasn’t until 1990, on their second album with vocalist Phil Anselmo, that the band revolutionized the world with a proposal later known as “Groove Metal.”
“Cowboys From Hell” opened the doors to a new world in metal in 1990, led by Vinnie Paul (Drums), Rex Brown (Bass), Dimebag Darrell (Guitar), and Phil Anselmo (Vocals), subsequently influencing hundreds of bands, including Lamb Of God, Machine Head, among many others.
What can we hear?
Music made for headbanging, a lot of power in a single album, a sound influenced by Thrash Metal but with a distinct identity through the famous “Groove,” leading to the genre being termed “Groove Metal.” In essence, it’s heavy music designed to make the listener surrender to the natural body movement induced by its rhythm.
Musical production plays a crucial role in this album, setting a sound that Pantera would maintain in the following years (though with slight modifications): sharp distortion in guitars, a ever-present bass supporting Dimebag’s solos without an additional rhythm guitar, and a drum sound with a distinct character not heard before, a bass drum with a strong attack and sharp tones, complemented by a snare with an echo reminiscent of the 80s, albeit more subtle.
Finally, the incredible voice of Phil Anselmo, who in this particular album covers various challenging fronts. His voice can be very high-pitched in a rockstar style, as in “Heresy,” guttural, as in “Domination,” or melodic, as in “Cemetery Gates,” to name just a few songs.
A revolution in the guitar
The sadly departed Dimebag Darrell emerged in “Cowboys From Hell” as an incredibly innovative guitarist in the world of metal. He was characterized by headbang-inducing riffs and incredible solos filled with speed, composed with an impressive musical sense. This was all combined with his distinctive Floyd Rose, allowing him to create extraordinary vibratos on his guitar, a technique later known as the “Dime Bomb.” Over the years, he created harmonics and manipulated them with his vibrato, achieving high notes impossible to interpret without a Floyd Rose. We can hear this in the initial riff of “The Art Of Shredding” or in the solo of “Psycho Holiday.”
A guitar genius influenced by greats like Ace Frehley of Kiss, Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society, Eddie Van Halen, among many others. “Cowboys From Hell” would be marked by Dimebag’s debut with this highly innovative guitar style.
The song that would be etched in history
It would be challenging to encapsulate Pantera in a single song, but if we had to do it, “Cowboys From Hell” would be an excellent top-of-mind representation of the band. The titular track from the album stands out in history for its dynamism and groundbreaking sound, something that had never been done before and was greatly applauded by both old and new fans (both musicians and listeners alike). This influence led to the creation of a series of bands that marked the new beginning of metal.
A record that you must listen to at least once in your life! Tell us in the comments what you think!
