Top 10 Pantera Songs

Photo: Kurt Christensen from West Babylon, NY, USA [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Formed in 1981 in Arlington, Texas, by drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell, along with vocalist Terry Glaze, Pantera initially started as a glam metal band. Bassist Rex Brown replaced Tommy D. Bradford a year later. Throughout the 1980s, Pantera released four albums in this style. By 1988’s Power Metal, Phil Anselmo had replaced Glaze on vocals as the band sought a heavier sound. With their fifth album, 1990’s Cowboys From Hell, Pantera shed their glam metal image and disowned their earlier albums. This shift was followed by 1992’s Vulgar Display of Power, widely regarded as their best work. Their success continued with 1994’s Far Beyond Driven, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Charts.

However, things began to unravel for the band in the late ’90s when Anselmo became a heroin addict, nearly dying from an overdose in 1996. This turmoil affected their next album, 1996’s The Great Southern Trendkill, which Anselmo recorded separately from the rest of the group. The album was experimental and received a mixed response. Unfortunately, the conflicts within the band were never resolved, and after releasing one more album, 2000’s Reinventing the Steel, they announced a hiatus in 2001 before officially disbanding in 2003 due to a lack of communication between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers.

The Abbott brothers went on to form Damageplan, while Anselmo worked on several other projects, including Down, which at one point featured Brown on bass. Tragedy struck on December 8, 2004, when Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage while performing with Damageplan in Columbus, Ohio, by a mentally ill fan upset over Pantera’s breakup. Sadly, this loss never led to a reconciliation between Anselmo and Paul, and Paul passed away from heart failure in 2018.

# 10 – Cowboys From Hell

“Cowboys From Hell,” the title track of Pantera’s 1990 album, not only serves as an explosive introduction to the band’s major-label debut but also marks their transition into the groove metal genre that would define their career. Recorded at Pantego Sound Studio in Pantego, Texas, the album was produced by Terry Date and Pantera themselves. This track showcases the band’s sharpened musical prowess and sets the aggressive tone for the album, positioning Pantera as a formidable force in the metal scene of the 1990s.

As the opening song on our list, “Cowboys From Hell” perfectly encapsulates the essence of Pantera’s impact on the metal genre. It’s not just a track; it’s a statement, a bold declaration of the band’s new identity and their readiness to challenge the norms of metal music. This song is pivotal not only for its place in Pantera’s discography but also for its influence on the direction of metal music in the 1990s, marking a shift towards a more aggressive, groove-oriented sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i97OkCXwotE

# 9 – Cemetery Gates

“Cemetery Gates” is one of Pantera’s most revered tracks, showcasing their dynamic range and emotional depth. Featured on their 1990 album Cowboys From Hell, this song stands out for its complex structure and thematic intensity, blending heavy metal with a sense of melodrama and introspection rarely explored in the genre at that time. Recorded at Pantego Sound Studio in Texas and produced by Terry Date along with the band, “Cemetery Gates” is a prime example of Pantera’s ability to merge technical prowess with deep, poignant lyricism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVMvART9kb8

# 8 – 5 Minutes Alone

“5 Minutes Alone” was released onPantera’s seminal 1992 album, Vulgar Display of Power. The song was inspired by an incident where a fan’s legal guardian allegedly demanded a personal confrontation with vocalist Phil Anselmo after a concert altercation. Anselmo’s retort to this situation—wishing he had “five minutes alone” with the accuser—became the cornerstone of the song’s theme and title. This narrative injects the track with an intense, visceral anger, aligning perfectly with the heavy, driving riffs and pounding rhythms that define Pantera’s sound during this period.

# 7 – Mouth for War

“Mouth for War” is a powerful opening track from Pantera’s 1992 album Vulgar Display of Power, an album that played a pivotal role in defining the groove metal genre. Recorded at Pantego Sound Studio in Arlington, Texas, and produced by Terry Date, the song encapsulates the intense, aggressive energy that Pantera was known for, marking a significant evolution in their sound and solidifying their status in the heavy metal community.

The song begins with an explosive riff that sets the tone for the rest of the track. Dimebag Darrell’s guitar work is both aggressive and intricate, creating a compelling sonic backdrop for Phil Anselmo’s intense vocal delivery. The lyrics of “Mouth for War” are fueled by themes of harnessing inner anger and frustration and using it as a motivator rather than letting it destroy oneself. Anselmo’s powerful screams, “I feel the conquering will down inside me, Strength, The strength of many to crush, Who might stop me,” convey a sense of empowerment and relentless determination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3JSbOt7CLo

# 6 – Rock The World

“Rock the World” from Pantera’s Power Metal album showcases the band’s transitional phase from their glam metal roots towards a heavier, more assertive sound. Released on June 24, 1988, through Metal Magic Records, this album is notably the first to feature Phil Anselmo on lead vocals, cementing the lineup that would carry the band to their peak fame. Anselmo’s vocal delivery, reminiscent of Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, adds a raw, commanding presence that commands attention.

# 5 – A New Level

“A New Level” from Pantera’s 1992 album Vulgar Display of Power stands as a formidable opening to a discography rich in aggressive and innovative metal tracks. Recorded at Pantego Sound Studio in Arlington, Texas, and produced by Terry Date in collaboration with the band, this song captures the quintessence of Pantera’s approach to heavy metal, combining raw intensity with complex musicianship.

# 4 – Revolution Is My Name

Featured on Reinventing the Steel, Pantera’s final studio album released on March 21, 2000, the song encapsulates the raw power and fierce independence that characterized the band’s style and ethos. The album, recorded with producers Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell, along with Sterling Winfield, marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career, being the last studio effort before their split in 2003 and the final recording featuring both Abbott brothers.

The song achieved significant recognition, reaching number 28 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks and being nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 2001 Grammy Awards. Although it did not win the Grammy, losing to Deftones’ “Elite,” it won the 2000 Metal Edge Readers’ Choice Award for Song of the Year, underscoring its resonance with fans and critics alike. This acclaim was further cemented when its music video was voted as the 15th Greatest Metal Video of the 21st Century on Headbangers Ball in 2005.

# 3 – Strength Beyond Strength

Far Beyond Driven (20th Anniversary Edition)

“Strength Beyond Strength” opens Pantera’s 1994 powerhouse album Far Beyond Driven, setting an unrelenting tone for what is widely considered one of the heaviest albums to ever reach number one on the Billboard 200. This album not only epitomizes the peak of Pantera’s commercial success but also underscores their ability to channel intense personal and social commentary into their music. Recorded at Pantego Sound Studio and produced by Terry Date alongside the band, this track and the entire album reflect a period of intense creativity and bold expression for Pantera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRxg8yVhbQY

# 2 – Drag the Waters

The Great Southern Trendkill (20th Anniversary Edition)

“Drag the Waters” is a profound and darkly introspective track from Pantera’s 1996 album, The Great Southern Trendkill. This album, which reached number four on the Billboard 200, represents a period of intense personal and artistic struggle for the band, particularly for vocalist Phil Anselmo who dealt with significant personal issues during its production. The album was recorded in two separate locations: Anselmo at Trent Reznor’s Nothing Studios in New Orleans for the vocals, and the rest of the band at Chasin Jason Studios in Dalworthington Gardens, Texas. This physical separation during recording adds a unique layer of tension and depth to the album’s sound.

# 1 – Walk

“Walk,” a monumental track from Pantera’s iconic album Vulgar Display of Power, rounds out our list as not only one of the band’s defining songs but also as a staple in the heavy metal genre. “Walk” is known for its simple yet incredibly effective riff, a hallmark of Dimebag Darrell’s guitar style, which combines sheer power with rhythmic precision. The song opens with a commandingly slow riff that builds into a ferocious sonic assault, perfectly complementing Phil Anselmo’s aggressive vocal delivery. The lyrics, characterized by themes of self-respect and defiance, resonate with a call to authenticity and personal integrity, as Anselmo challenges the listener with lines like, “Can’t you see I’m easily bothered by persistence? One step from lashing out at you.”

In summary, “Walk” concludes our list not just as a song but as a powerful statement of identity and resilience. It encapsulates the essence of Pantera’s music: aggressive, uncompromising, and deeply impactful. As the closing track on this list, it ties together the themes explored in Pantera’s discography, reminding listeners of the band’s enduring influence and the timeless relevance of their message.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkFqg5wAuFk