- For other uses of the name "Pantera," see Pantera (disambiguation).
Pantera was a popular heavy metal band from Dallas,Texas, USA.
History
Formed in 1983, Pantera were one of the most influential Heavy Metal bands of the 1990s. They were modern (or so-called "groove") metal.
Pantera released three forgotten albums (Metal Magic, Projects In The Jungle and I Am The Night) before ditching singer Terry Glaze in favor of Phil Anselmo with 1987's Power Metal. Terry Glaze was included in talks to sign with a label that was fronted by Gene Simmons of KISS. When Terry balked at the contract he was kicked out of the band. Pantera then located Phil Anselmo and produced "Power Metal", a tape that had Phil singing some songs that were originally sung by Glaze, as well as a few originals.
The first really successful record Pantera recorded was 1990's Cowboys From Hell. At this point, Pantera's music was still heavily influenced by "classic heavy metal" — with Rob Halford-style vocals and the extravagant riffs and solos of guitarist Dimebag Darrell, though the album also showcased a more extreme style.
Pantera's breakthrough album was 1992's Vulgar Display of Power, which saw the replacement of falsetto vocals with a more shouted delivery and a heavier guitar sound. The extent to which this album grew in popularity can be assessed by the instant success of the 1994 follow-up, Far Beyond Driven which debuted at number one in both American and Australian album charts, the first metal album ever to achieve this, despite the flailing fortunes of metal in America at that time. In this release, Pantera took an even more extreme direction.
Break-up
Pantera seem to have irretrievably dissolved. Anselmo left the band briefly to pursue other work with such bands as Down. It was thought he would return to Pantera, but he didn't. Instead he formed Superjoint Ritual, who have released two albums. Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell formed a band of their own called Damageplan. Phil is often critical of his former band members, who, in turn, often characterize Phil as a prima donna.
On December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell was shot dead in a club called The Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, by Nathan Gale during a Damageplan concert. An audience member, a club employee, and a member of the bands' security entourage were killed before Gale was shot dead by police officer James Niggemeyer.
Discography
Studio releases
Live and other releases
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Official Live: 101 Proof [Live] - (1997)
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The Best Of Pantera [Compilation] - (2003)
DVD & Video
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Pantera: 3 - Vulgar Videos from Hell (1997)
Band members
Last updated: 02-08-2005 14:09:12
