365 Days of Metal: Genre Definers, Bust A Groove

Well, as unbelievable as it is, 365 Days of Metal is one month old! I wasn't sure I'd even make it this far, but things are going quite nicely. So seeing as how this is a bit of a milestone, I figured I would put out my first post in the series I've decided to entitle as Genre Definers, which will cover releases that best laid the groundwork, and defined a specific genre in metal history.

Day 30

Pantera - Cowboys From Hell

Band Origin: Arlington, Texas, USA
Genre: Groove Metal
Label: Atco
Running Time: 32 minutes
Release Date: July 24, 1990

Best Part: Any guitar solo on this record - the one featured below being my favorite.

Favorite Tracks: Cemetery Gates, Cowboys From Hell, Psycho Holiday, and The Art of Shredding

Grade: 5

---------

Cowboys From Hell in 20 words or less:

A record that not only redefined Pantera, but who's sound served as a source of inspiration for not only Groove Metal, but all of metal for years to come.

The Band:

Formed by the Abbott brothers, more commonly (and obviously) known as guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell and drummer Vinne Paul, Pantera started out of all things as a glam metal band in the 80's, having released four records as the Pantera Metal Magic. Most Pantera fans, despite the band's releases during the 80's, consider Cowboys From Hell as being the true debut record for Pantera, and rightfully so. Pantera's 1990 release showcased a complete change in style for the group, with Dimebag providing guitar riffs and solos that would influence guitarists for years to come, Vinnie and bassist Rex Brown providing cohesion and power on the lower end, and vocalist Phil Anselmo adding a little more 'gusto' and vehemence to his falsetto vocals. Pantera would go on to record four more albums before the brothers officially split up the band in 2003 due to Anselmo having seemingly abandoned the band for other projects, leading to an immense amount of band blood and controversy. In 2004, Dimebag was tragically shot and killed while playing with his brother and their newest group Damageplan in Columbus, Ohio. While the tragedy did not aid in diminishing the bad blood between Vinnie and Anselmo, it remains a defining moment in modern metal history with the torrent of support and tributes that were made in Dimebag's honor from artists and fans world wide - Metal had lost one of its most influential artists.

Pantera's other releases include: Vulgar Display of Power (1992), Far Beyond Driven (1994), The Great Southern Trendkill (1996), and Reinventing the Steel (2000)

Jay's Take on Cowboys From Hell:

Cowboys From Hell can be cited as the record that would define groove metal for the future generation of acts, including Machine Head, Lamb of God and Chimaira. A complete rebirth for the band, this record would serve to solidify Pantera as one of the highly successful metal acts of the 90's and elevate, in particular, Diamond Darrel Abbott (as he was still know as then) into one of the definitive metal guitarists of all time. His groovy riffs and complex, inspired solo work would be recognized by artists alike and inspire future generations of guitarists even to this day. Cowboys From Hell lives up to its monicker, with the group playing a heavy, groovy and southern sound - the rhythm provided by Brown and Vinnie Paul giving the perfect backdrop for Darrell's inventive guitar playing, and Anselmo's falsetto howls rounding out their sound. While the title track would carry the feel of the majority of the record, the track Cemetery Gates remains one of the most heartfelt and trademark metal songs of the 90's. Cowboys From Hell was a rebirth for the band and would stay with them for the remainder of their career until 2003, never settling for anything less than the powerful, groovy, uncompromising sound they had created in 1990, on the way to becoming one of the premiere metal acts of a generation.

Sample of the Day:



- J