3 years ago today.WOW! R.I.P.
It is sad when the metal community loses someone as popular as Darrel. It's even sadder (sarcistally speaking) when a radio station, namely, Sirius' Hard Attack 27, exploits his death at any chance they can. They officially commemorate him twice a year for his DOB and death anniversary with "March of Dime" and "Dime Day" and other promotions. I suppose this is fine, but using the entire month of August to "commemorate" him in additional to his DOD and DOB, plus any other moment of interest in his life (the day Pantera broke up, for example) is just overkill. It's as if Hard Attack uses any excuse to turn their channel into the "All Pantera and Damageplan, All the Time Channel," and doesn't even give a yearly nod to Chuck Schuldiner or Paul Baloff.
That's all. That was my rant. I'm off to play my Pantera Metal Magic cd and marvel at Darrel's talent before he traded his "Diamond" for "Dimebag."
I have nothing against those albums. I think Cowboys is a classic. It's just sad that Metal Magic is overlooked because it's quite a good album. The same goes with his solo stuff before Pantera. While it's not exactly original, it's still very enjoyable, too. Of course, few fans know about or appreciate the pre-Cowboys material because the band tried to suppress it when they moved away from their glam roots.As for the "Diamond Darrell" thing he was called "Diamond Darrell" up until after the Vulgar Display of Power CD. So if you want to listen to Cowboys from Hell or Vulgar Display of Power you can also enjoy "Diamond Darrell" and anjoy his talents on those records as well
I have nothing against those albums. I think Cowboys is a classic. It's just sad that Metal Magic is overlooked because it's quite a good album. The same goes with his solo stuff before Pantera. While it's not exactly original, it's still very enjoyable, too. Of course, few fans know about or appreciate the pre-Cowboys material because the band tried to suppress it when they moved away from their glam roots.
I think you make an astute point about Darrell being shot make a difference. I suppose it was more of a shock to everyone because no one saw it coming and because he was one of the most popular metal icons of the '90s. He definitely deserves to be recognized. I just suppose I feel oversaturated with all the "remembrances" on Hard Attack.
I gotcha man. I have all of the Pantera stuff prior to Cowboys From Hell. I find most of it laughable to be honest, though Dime shreds on the solos. I actually like the album "Power Metal" which was the first album that Phil Anselmo sang on. There is some quality metal on that record minus a lot of the cheesy glam stuff they were doing prior to it. But from a purely musical stand point everything Dime has done has been quality, he is just one of those natural rippers that come along once in a lifetime.
Dime was a ripper but I really believe if Phil Anselmo never came to the band Dime would have never really been discovered in the way he should have been and was. The 80's glam rock style was dying fast. Phil came in and gave them the solid kick in the ass that they needed. From there is history! The guitar tones alone on the post glam era Pantera records is just unbelievable. I have never heard anything like it and will most likely never hear it again. So heavy and clean yet cruchy.... its just unreal how amazing the guitar was in pantera
I've only heard one pre-Cowboys song and it was called Killers. I thought it was brilliant, very Priest influenced and great riffage at the start.
If you like that Priest influenced sound you will really like the Pantera "Power Metal" album. It is like a mix of Priest, Queensryche, Maiden, and a twist of skid row and def leppard
The lyrics are pretty cheesy but there are some quality songs
I would love to find all the older Pantera albums someday. Sounds like I would really like them.
Here is a video of Pantera in 1998 doing a song called "Rock the World" which is on the record POWER METAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr3nACVOH1E
Its crazy how high Phil Anselmo used to get, Queensryche style
Here is a song called "Proud to be Loud" it is NOT live, its from the record "Power Metal"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e25c4ULCKY
Here is Dimebag in 1986 eddie van halen style, he is so young in this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZAhTx9gLs
And here is "Metal Magic" long before Phil Anselmo was in the band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOsmnFOhGRo