by Andrew Bohardt

Created on: April 29, 2010

Reviewing the entire career of mammoth metal gods Pantera can essentially be broken down into two parts: before Phil Anselmo and with Phil Anselmo. Sparsely known outside the metal community, Pantera actually formed all the way back in 1981 with aspirations of being a glam-metal ensemble. The band released three albums with frontman Terry Glaze, but Pantera failed to gain much success in the glam scene, sparking a change to a heavier sound.

Enter Anselmo.

Anselmo joined Pantera in 1987, and it subsequently released "Power Metal," the band's fourth studio effort. While still glam influenced, the album began to incorporate the heavier, groovier metal elements the band became known for in the 1990s.

Pantera completed its musical revolution two years later with the release of "Cowboys From Hell," often considered the band's true debut record. While guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was always a musical virtuoso, his talents went largely unrecognized until the title track hit the radio and MTV. Cowboys From Hell became an anthem in the metal community and immediately raised the profile of Dimebag as a metal genius. Tracks such as Cemetery Gates and Domination did little to quell that theory, as the band's new influences, Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, played a prominent role.

Over the next six years, Pantera continued to master its new sound on the albums "Vulgar Display of Power," "Far Beyond Driven," and "The Great Southern Trendkill." Released in 1994, "Far Beyond Driven" debuted at No. 1 in the United States and helped cement Pantera's place as the kings of metal during the decade.

Nevertheless, turmoil between band members began to arise in the mid-90s. Anselmo overdosed and legally died on heroin, started performing in the side project Down, and began separating himself from "Dimebag" and brother Vinnie Paul while on tour with Pantera.

Tension between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers continued to grow, and although the band released its next album, "Reinventing the Steel," in 2000, it was becoming evident that the differences were irreconcilable.

Anselmo's engagement in side projects and apparent refusal to stay in contact with the Abbott brothers ultimately forced the band to split in 2003. Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown subsequently chose Down as their primary focus, while the Abbott brothers formed Damageplan. Tragically, however, "Dimebag" was shot and killed on stage during a concert with his new band in 2004, slashing any hopes Pantera fans had of the band reforming. Nevertheless, what Pantera accomplished in its last decade together is unparalleled by most in the metal world and cemented its place in metal history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantera

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