Ranking the Studio Albums: Pantera (w/Martin Popoff)

Join Pete Pardo & Martin Popoff as they rank the albums of US heavy metal legends Pantera. #pantera
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[@Jamie.Laszlo]

My friends and I were shocked in 1994 when Far Beyond Driven debuted at #1 on Billboard's top 200.

[@gabriellarrubia1006]

Darrell is one of my favorite guitarists, the one that made me want to play guitar in the first place. He was an AMAZING soloist, legendary skill but with a lot of bluesy finesse... When I think of musical moments that give me goosebumps, Dime is probably the one who most delivered those, which justifies his legend status in metal for me. He pulled off some of the most beautiful guitar playing in a HEAVY band, proving it's not just about being brutal, even with the sheer amount of riffs being he threw down relentlessly... 9- Metal Magic (1983)- Cool, but I can't single out any tracks that make me want to hear it regularly 8- I Am the Night (1985)- I have a soft spot for a few tracks here like Come On Eyes and Right Over the Edge... I agree there's more traditional heavy metal to this than Glam, you could tell by the riffs. It's only ranked this low because the rest are just so good. 7- Power Metal (1988)- I think songs like Over and Out and Death Trap are kind of foreshadowing the CFH sound here, with Dime's playing becoming more complex and shreddy, less reliant on hooks... I also like Hard Time quite a lot. Phil seemed to be drawing some Rob Halford influences, which I'm surprised no one mentioned. 6- Projects in the Jungle (1984)- My favorite of the 80s era, simply because I think the songs are just so much better. All Over Tonight has some of those goosebump-inducing moments with the breakdown riff and solo... The title track is ballsy and Takin' My Life is one of the better displays of sensibility... Songs such as Like Fire are kind of Motley Crue-ish, but that was never an issue for me because I do like a lot of 80s hard rock... 5- Reinventing the Steel (2000)- Nothing to complain about this one... Tons of good tracks, including a few favorites like Goddamn Electric, Yesterday Don't Mean Shit and It Makes Them Disappear... I think the only reason this falls behind is because Pantera was offering a new sound with just about every consecutive release, and for the first time they were sounding kinda familiar... 4- Far Beyond Driven (1994)- I agree with the comments about this being maybe the craziest and most dangerous sounding album... It might be the heaviest thing of its time, while maintaining a little bit of class. All the hit tracks are great and there are some amazing deep tracks like Shedding Skin and Throes of Rejections. I could live without a few tracks like 25 years and Use My Third Arm though, which is ultimately why it's fourth for me. There's an ever slight bit of filler here... 3- The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)- This is the album that grew on me the most. At first what bothered me is that it's kinda campy and mid-paced. But I got past that once I saw the brilliance of it, like how it's conflicted and has amazing contrasts... Floods and 10's are perfect examples- chilling, uneasy songs with beautiful solos. I guess it's conveying more desolation and anguish than just rage, and the fact that it's done so genuinely and perfectly speaks out... Plus there's more of the typical Dime riffage going on here to keep it consistently interesting. 2- Vulgar Display of Power (1992)- Top to bottom perfect album with some of Dime's best riffs and a tighter sound. The album is exactly what the cover shows, a face-pounding demystified metal record replacing dragons and satan mumbo jumbo with real shit, street-talking you into submission. I don't mind said mumbo jumbo, but you have to admit this album was perfectly timed for the 90s, capturing the decade's vibe entirely. I like Rex's mini- bass solos behind Dime's, and I love this record more for the deep-cuts than the actual hits. Regular People, Rise and Hollow are all amazing... 1- Cowboys from Hell (1990)- Another perfect album top to bottom, and I think this is just overrall one of the most satisfying albums of all time for me, adding lots of variety to an already perfect template that seems to be a cross between thrash metal and more classic metal (I get some Randy Rhoads, Diary of a Madman Ozzy vibes from it as well)... The Sleep, Cemetery Gates and Psycho Holiday are my favorite Pantera songs, also with my favorite Dime solos (and more goosebump moments!). The riffs are complex, not as straightforward as they might be among heavier bands of the time, and each song is unique and complety different from the previous, making it a truly captivating record that not many hour-long albums can stand up to... I don't think I had mentioned it before, but Vinny also had a wonderfully unique drum style, and I think this album was a cornerstone for that...All being said, this is easily in my top 10 favorite albums of all time list...

[@Mission2Transition641]

those early albums , take me back. Back to the club days of Texas. I was stationed at FT HOOD in 83/84, and Pantera played the Woodstock club , in nearby Harker Heights all the time. Was my favorite local band to see. I used to talk to them at the bar, show them my new tattoo. Fast forward , 1987, i met a Medic in Germany . He had shelves of metal albums, bootlegs. We found out we were stationed at FT HOOD same period, and he said , you remember that band PANTERA? they have a couple albums out, and they are damn good! Played me the vinyl of those early albums. Fast forward, late 90, a friend said check this new Metal CD out..and it was Cowboys from Hell....what a turnaround. The same band from those Texas club days. Still my favorite cd

[@coledoucette5116]

Thank you for this comment! I moved to Killeen right before hs and always wondered if pantera came through here

[@Mission2Transition641]

@@coledoucette5116 The club they played a lot was called the Woodstock at the time. harker heights.

[@coledoucette5116]

@@Mission2Transition641 nice I wonder if it’s still there

[@Midknight_Trucker]

I first heard Pantera when the song This Love aired on Headbangers Ball. I was hooked on them instantly and was lucky enough to see them live twice, once with White Zombie and once with Type O Negative. Vulgar Display of Power holds a special place in my heart

[@metalmelodies6718]

"We'll Meet Again" is Pantera's greatest song before they released Cowboys from Hell! GO LISTEN TO IT NOW! AMAZING SOLO

[@Danimal77]

I'll go with "Takin' My Life", but I do love "We'll Meet Again", which was a precursor to Cemetary Gates.

[@metalmelodies6718]

@@Danimal77 just listened to "Taking my Life" decent track, very nice 🤘

[@recordmass6298]

The Pantera style heavy metal they put out prior Cowboys was so tacky to me!..One or two objectively ok songs, but man, they bored me so much.

[@giantsfan8872]

@@Danimal77 i f love taking my life...fave pantera song with “come on eyes” and yes “well meet again”...good f taste bro

[@sylentstorm8422]

In 1998, Dime told me that was his favorite solo.

[@mahogany174]

Saw Pantera supporting Megadeth on their UK tour. Both bands were magnificent. A great night Disappointed that their first albums aren’t available on Spotify!

[@Skycladatdusk78]

I enjoy their whole catalogue, one of my top songs from them is Avoid The Light which was on the Dracula 2000 soundtrack. Here's my ranking: 1 - Cowboys From Hell 2 - Vulgar Display Of Power 3 - Power Metal 4 - The Great Southern Trendkill 5 - Far Beyond Driven 6 - Reinventing The Steel 7 - I Am The Night 8 - Projects In The Jungle 9 - Metal Magic

[@davorbrijacak]

My same list as well.

[@Skycladatdusk78]

@@davorbrijacak Awesome, good to see someone else that thinks highly of Power Metal.

[@denisn8336]

@@Skycladatdusk78personally I think trendkill is better than cowboys or vulgar but I do so agree that power metal is amazing

[@jayjaytee9944]

Cowboys Vulgar Trendkill Far Beyond Steel Power Metal I don't always agree with him, but always great to hear from Martin, great chemistry between you both Pete.

[@bwroberts11]

Great job guys! Love the convo!

[@erosbifebeef5115]

Finally!! I was wondering why such a popular band took so long to get a video

[@gladiator22666]

Great show guys . Far Beyond Driven always in my top ten albums of all time 🍺🥃🤘👍

[@thomasdemonte8789]

Another great episode Martin and Pete. Good to see those early albums get a little air time for sure. I remember arguing with people that they were the same band, as I played them my Projects in the Jungle cassette (1990) The band had nothing to be ashamed about regarding their early stuff! Keep these great episodes coming guys🤘🤘🤘

[@drsmainemusic]

Pantera kicks ass! I have Beavis and Butthead to thank for showing them to me early on! Vulgar Display is classic!

[@mikeb4858]

"Godammit Pantera this beer is warm!"

[@DD-eight]

Haha Butthead always calls Phil “Hey Pantera!!”

[@planetbarrett6055]

This might get some Hate, But my Favorite Pantera Albums are- Metal Magic, Projects in the jungle, I am the Night, Cowboys from Hell and Power Metal.

[@psychopoison]

I like them also, But I really wish that they had re-recorded some tracks during Vulgar era such as We´ll meet again, Hard Ride, Takin My Life, Forever Tonight

[@youtubedramafan6376]

I hate you

[@Danimal77]

Won't get hate from me. I agree with you completely.

[@themetalmaniac7811]

80's Pantera is so underrated.

[@planetbarrett6055]

@@themetalmaniac7811 They Are! And Get's So much Hate!

[@devildozer]

My second compact disc I ever owned was "Cowboys From Hell" very soon after its initial release. I was 15. My first CD was Prong. I've never listened to any of their albums prior to Cowboys and that's my bad but I certainly loved everything else they ever released. There is so much information and history talked about from both of you regarding Pantera, such a fun, entertaining, and educational episode. Thanks guys!

[@michaelpurnell5203]

I’ve heard the first few albums and I completely agree, definitely got incorrectly labeled as glam. I haven’t really spent much time with them in order to rank em, but here’s the rest: 5. Reinventing the Steel 4. The Great Southern Trendkill 3. Cowboys From Hell 2. Vulgar Display of Power 1. Far Beyond Driven

[@mikeb4858]

Great discussion, and I basically agree with Pete's ranking. My favorite Pantera factoid is the fact they knocked Ace of Base out of the #1 spot with FBD. Like one week the kids of America are bopping along to candy-coated Swedish dance music, then they have a bad weekend and all of a sudden need the crushing groove of Pantera to get them through the day.

[@ralfwalter3923]

I'd love to see a proper remaster to vinyl of those pre-Cowboys albums... as a box set.

[@snakething]

Really enjoying your videos, keep up.

[@dtltmtgt]

I still remember when I heard about Dimebag's death. What a blow! I will always love Vulgar. One the best metal albums for me. Then Far Beyond, Cowboys and Steel, in that order.

[@travisperrotta5264]

One of my all time favorite bands. Thank you Pete for this video. You picked the perfect co host for this one.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

Pantera is one of my favorite bands ever!! I am so glad that I got to see them live three times back in the mid 90's- 2000's. I was barely 12 years old when Cowboys From Hell album came out and I loved Pantera ever since. I love all nine studio albums , and I listen to them very often . My ranking at this moment would have to be. 9. Metal Magic 8. I Am The Night 7. Projects In The Jungle 6. Power Metal 5. Reinventing The Steel 4. Far Beyond Driven 3. Vulgar Display Of Power 2. Cowboys From Hell 1. The Great Southern Trendkill

[@jessiebeveridge742]

Saw Pantera roughly 15 times. One of the best live bands ever circa ‘92 - ‘95.

[@johnnelson3665]

1. Cowboys From Hell 2. Vulgar Display of Power 3. Far Beyond Driven. 4. The Great Southern Trendkill. Haven’t heard the rest. But it sounds like the early stuff is worth checking out. Especially Power Metal.

[@BadgerNCarolina]

Interesting to hear the negatives from Martin re: Phil's early vocals. I find that stuff monumentally better than his late grunts...

[@integrity101]

I'm the other way around. Give me RTS vocals over CFH everyday of the week

[@blacksabbath1022]

Far Beyond Driven and Vulgar Display of Power are easily my two favorites.

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for Ranking the Studio Albums: Pantera (w/ Martin Popoff).🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@brunomartinssantos4947]

Finally!!!!! Keep the great videos pete! I think you should do a anthrax album ranking next!

[@Jack-52]

definitely!!!

[@richjohnson3126]

Agreed!

[@taylorscherr6840]

Heck Pete's back at again love it especially since I'ma huge metal head

[@godless_goddess5985]

Just starting the vid, but my favorite album is Great Southern Trendkill by far. A pre-Cowboys album I do like a bit is Power Metal. It has a lot of Judas Priest influence and Phil's performance is killer. Edit: I totally get these guys' position on calling themselves "poser pantera fans" (their words!). Cowboys to Steel I'm a HUGE fan of them more than just their big riffs, and I do love Phil's vocals throughout. With Great Southern I love how dark and ugly it gets. Much of their other work in a way makes me think of the ethos of Priest in terms of their way of "waving the flag of heavy metal". Great Southern is this stark departure from all that and has some of their most terrifying performances to me.

[@jefferystolzman9652]

This is great iam a huge pantera fan from day one thanks Pete and Martin. And for dowing this. About time the boys from Texas got the spot light on this one. Keep them fucking horns up

[@johnzavradinos4677]

Love the shirt,Pete. I hope you do a ranking of Blue Cheer albums one day.

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Eventually!

[@alsleet442]

saw Pantera in 92' at Flash Gordons in Cleveland 5 bucks at the door it was like a week before Vulgar came out.Phil threw a cd and a cassette in the crowd i caught the cd my buddy got the tape.great show

[@christianhaynes1954]

I'm late to this video .but enjoyed it thoroughly ! Love Pantera ! Favorite deep cut " medicine man" !!

[@jason-budney7624]

So glad the older albums were included in this ranking, some really good stuff on those. Pete, where did you find those older albums on CD?

[@angusiha]

Wait a minute! I've just heard Popoff mentioning J. Mascis???? Probably the first time J. is mentioned on Sea of Tranquility. Cool!!!

[@mutant_blues]

Probably the last too...

[@DistantEarlyWarning]

J. Mascis is such an underrated guitarist.

[@ZMsoloman5000]

J. Mascis has some killer guitar tones. Dinosaur JR best to worst when, Pete?

[@Mike-aka747]

@@DistantEarlyWarning Saw him live at '93 Lollapalooza he was tearing it up, i'll never forget it was like 45 minutes of heaven easily the best guitarist that day!

[@angusiha]

@@mutant_blues Lol.... You got that right!

[@DangerHiVoltage]

Awesome! Had a feeling Pantera was coming

[@dimeraRaven]

Ah Pantera, love at first listen. I was six and one of my older brothers played me "Primal Concrete Sledge," I was immediately hooked. At that point the only metal songs I had heard where "Ride the Lightning" & "Fear of the Dark." So cool, completely hooked on metal since. Sadly I was too young to see them live, Dimebag was murdered when I was thirteen. Born a generation too late. I also share my birthday with Dimebag, which is a fun coincidence. Got two Dime guitars, a Washburn dimebolt and a Dean Razorback V. I don't play anymore, but I still own them. Sentimental value. Anyway, I'll put my rankings below. I do like their 80's albums, songs like "Down Below," and "Valhalla" are really cool. 1. Cowboys From Hell I could have swapped this with Vulgar pretty easily, but for me this is my favourite Pantera album and certainly the one I would recommend to anyone looking to get into this band for the first time. I believe Dimebag's best solo's are on Cowboys and Vulgar. I know "Floods" has a lot of fans, but for me "The Sleep" is the pinnacle of Dimebag solo's. Also a rather under-rated song in my eyes. So fucking good, that solo gets me every damn time. Also, "Shattered" is such a fun song. Phil's vocals are soaring on this track which I absolutely love. 2. Vulgar Display of Power Definitely could have been number one for me, there are so many good tracks from this album. "Walk," "By Demons be Driven," "This Love," "Hollow" and "A New Level." I think honestly both of these top albums for me have no weak tracks, I don't skip any of them when I am listening to them in the car. I just turn the volume up. "Walk" has a really cool and different sounding solo to a lot of Dimebag's stuff, a real stand out solo for me. 3. Far Beyond Driven An awesome album cover. I'd certainly agree that it's their best one, love the colour scheme as well. That guitar tone is crunching. Songs like "25 Years," "Slaughtered," "Shedding Skin" and "5 Minutes Alone" are the stand out tracks for me. "25 Years" was a song that I appreciated a lot more as I got older, as a kid that was heavily into thrash I was too impatient at the time to listen to the first act of the song before it speeds up, how things have changed. 4. The Great Southern Trendkill I do like this album a lot. A decade ago this would have been third on my list. A few weaker tracks that usual for me on this album and some of the solo's are kinda meh. The solo in "Floods" of course is iconic and great, my only issue with that song is that on the album the outro is not longer. The outro is wonderful, I wish they kept it longer on the studio release. "Living Through Me (Hells Wrath)" "War Nerve" and "Floods" are the main stand out tracks for me. 5. Reinventing the Steel Of the "modern" Pantera albums, this is easily the one I enjoy the least and had no chance of being anywhere but fifth when compared to the four albums above it on my list. However, there are some really cool songs here. I think the riffs on this album are cool but for me, there are no memorable solos at all. "Death Rattle," "Revolution is my Name," "I'll Cast a Shadow," all have a lot of great riffs. The intro song is kinda weak though, certainly the weakest album opener of these top five records. 6. Power Metal 7. I Am the Night 8. Projects in the Jungle 9. Metal Magic These last four albums are fun to listen to and just show a different side to the band. When they were so young and full of piss and vinegar. "Down Below" is a damn fun track, whether its the original off "I Am the Night" or the remake with Phil on "Power Metal." A simple but fun riff that fit into the 80's "Van Halen homage" band that they appeared to be, at least to me. I also really dig "Heavy Metal Rules" off their "Projects..." record, not the most complex song in the world, but it doesn't have to be. Simple, easy to bang your head to. Same with "Valhalla" off "...Night," though a bit more up tempo than the previously mentioned song. Still enjoyable. For me, I love Pantera. I don't have a "favourite band" ever, I don't know who I would pick if I was forced under penalty of death to choose. That being said, I do have a holy trinity of bands. They are; Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Pantera. Those are the three bands that introduced me to metal at a young age and I shall forever be indebted to them. Times change, but their classic albums never age and my enjoyment of them never fades. Rest in Peace to the Abbott brothers.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Power metal ? Simple riff . I guess 90's fans never tried to play 80's Pantera Its harder actually

[@thomashubner697]

I give you a thumbs up for including all albums.

[@shakey27]

With the Faith No More reference at the end there from Martin it sounds like you need to do a rate the FNM albums episode.

[@exploringwithasmr]

Its funny. I was never allowed to buy albums that had the parental advisory sticker on it when I was younger. I tried to pull a fast one and stuck a bigger sticker over it one time and got caught. That album was Far Beyond Driven. I got grounded for like two weeks.

[@ralfwalter3923]

Cool ranking fellas!

[@integrity101]

Pete i asked for Martin to do this episode w/ you and you delivered. Thank you Pete. Thank you Martin. I disagree with most of what you guys said which is precisely what made it an interesting episode. THANKS! Darrell & Phil were the youngest guys in Pantera. Dimebag was 16, 17 & 18 when those Terry Lee albums were RELEASED so he wrote all those songs from that era between 14-17 years old (first concert was February of 1981, a year b4 Metallica. Darrell was just 14). When you guys discussed the band changing (w/ CFH) you mentioned you weren't really sure what facilitated the change. What most people dont realize is POWER METAL was written in 1986 before Philip joined (in late 86). Notice they were putting out an album every year and all of a sudden their is a 3 year gap between albums (85-88). PM was supposed to come out in 1987. They shopped it around to labels throughout 87 til finally releasing it independently in 1988. 10 songs on PM. Eighteen year old Phil Anselmo performs on 9, he wrote the lyrics to 7, but they only wrote TWO NEW songs with Phil in the band, OVER & OUT and DEATH TRAP. These are EASILY the two heaviest songs on PM. A few months after POWER METAL is released Pantera is already playing CFH material LIVE in the setlist in 1988 (The Sleep, Art Of Shredding). So CFH is the first album written By Vinnie, Dime, Rex & *PHILIP*. It's also the first record NOT to feature a performance by a teenager. Think of all the classic albums from 1986 that influenced Pantera. POWER METAL was already 80 percent written when Reign, Master, Peace etc came out. The first album Pantera wrote after the 1986 classics was CFH. So id argue it was a natural progression. People just dont realize because both PM & CFH were OLD SONGS by the time they finally got released. Reinventing The Steel is my favorite album of all time. It's not even close. To me the band didnt truly find their sound til 1994 on FBD. Phils found his vocal style & Dime started experimenting with the squealing sounds he did for the rest of his career. BECOMING especially is the perfect representation of the band. A drum heavy song with both singing & screaming full of Dimebag playing with those pedals. Outside of Becoming FBD is front to back screaming and that is where REINVENTING took things to the next level. Reinventing The Steel to me is a modern more mature album oozing Black Sabbath influence. Very old-school. Its got tge heaviness of FBD with the groove of vulgar & Philip mixes in clean singing parts on almost every song(10 of 12 if u include the 2 mon album tracks). More melody, more grooves, a band at their elite best with a very specific goal to focus on creating the most memorable anthems possible (Steel is a tip of the hat to British Steel). My rank #1 Reinventing The Steel #2 Official Live 101 Proof #3 Far Beyond Driven *Rebel Meets Rebel* #4 Vulgar Display Of Power #5 The Great Southern Trendkill #6 Cowboys From Hell *New Found Power* #7 Power Metal --------------------------- #8 Projects In The Jungle #9 I Am The Night #10 Metal Magic

[@ronbartkowiak3459]

Not a fan at all but I'm dedicated to watching the shows no matter. Thanks Pete and Martin

[@sspbrazil]

Same here, never liked Pantera, I have many friends that do though, but I like watching these countdowns even if I don’t like the band.

[@davorbrijacak]

@@sspbrazil I like the band but my friends pretty much only listen to few bands, including Pantera which is very annoying.

[@sspbrazil]

@@davorbrijacak Yeah, that can be annoying.

[@sspbrazil]

@Sam thanks.

[@MrJericholic]

I was fortunate to witness Pantera live 9 times and also got to see Damage Plan, Down, Superjoint Ritual.

[@ralfwalter3923]

I saw them only once on the night they filmed Walk at the Riv in Chicago. Amazing night.

[@prizm2807]

Far Beyond Driven is by far my favorite Pantera album as well.

[@ModernDayWarrior2112]

Thanks for this. Did you guys ever do a Max Webster ranking? I’m not sure I remember if you did or not.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

If I am not mistaken, Far Beyond Driven also made it to #1 on the billboard charts. For 1994 that is amazing because Heavy Metal music was really going underground. The most extreme Heavy Metal album to ever make it to #1 on billboard charts.

[@iloveheavymetalmetalrules6829]

The great southern trendkill is my favourite

[@clamplugh]

Great work guys. Been waiting for this one since I discovered your channel Pete. For me the major label albums are all flawless and I personally rank them on nostalgia. Power Metal is fun. I respect the first 3 albums but they're not what I reach for when I want to listen to Pantera. Agree that the "glam" reference for those albums is way off the mark.

[@maxwellglover4880]

People will most likely crucify me, but my second favourite Pantera song is Heavy Metal Rules from the Projects in the Jungle album. As cheesy as those early albums are the heaviness and musicianship are there full force. It’s good to hear others feel the same way.

[@oregonwoodelf]

It's such a contrast for me with the pre Cowboys material, as you guys thoroughly cover. I tried and could never really get into them. The other 5, though... I've worshiped for many years. Of all the metal I obsess over, Pantera has always been one of my top bands, with Dimebag being my favorite metal icon of all time 🙌 I was lucky enough to see them open for Sabbath in 99 so I can die happy haha With that said... My top 5: 1. Vulgar Display of Power 2. Cowboys from Hell 3. Far Beyond Driven 4. Reinventing the Steel 5. The Great Southern Trendkill

[@djentyman4002]

Pete! Where did you buy those early Pantera albums? They’re worth an arm and a leg online and no record shop has them in my area

[@JoniTee77]

Vulgar is and always be my favourite Pantera album, but I remember to this day the time I first heard the title track to Cowboys From Hell. I was 13 and they played it on an British TV show called Raw Power. I was just starting to hear all these bands for the first time and that song left an indelible impression on me...that opening riff blew my mind. They were supporting Judas Priest at the time along with Annihilator ,so they played the videos to Painkiller and Stonewall as well if memory serves me correctly.

[@donnybrookdetritus]

More Pantera videos please!

[@TheAvailable43]

I've seen Pantera 12x. I'll be 54 next month. My favorite Pantera song is Uplift. My favorite album is Cowboys from Hell. I've seen all the album tours. Im also on the first Pantera video stage diving at The Channel in Boston 1990. Fine let me play his guitar for a few minutes as I handed ot back and he have me his pick. Still have it.

[@BabosanTV]

The first album I heard from Pantera was Vulgar Display of Power and to this day it's still my favourite because it balances perfectly the Kiss / Van Halen melodic ambitions of Vinnie and Dimebag with the hardcore militaristic bark of Phil Anselmo. From that album I worked backwards until I found about the 1st four records that are completely diferent lyrically but not that diferent in terms of drive and intensity. If the first albums were produced by Terry Date, they probably would have sounded very close to the Cowboys From Hell fase albeit with a Ratt / Dokken vibe to them. It is strange that the familiy never released these albums officialy (supposedly at the request of the Darrell Abott brothers) even more so because those are the only albums they own entirely. A similar thing happens with Celtic Frost in regards to the Cold Lake album which I find to be an extremely interesting record with a Glam vibe to it, but the band disabow with extreme prejudice. #Pantera#Celticfrost

[@donnybrookdetritus]

1. Far Beyond 2. GSTK 3. Vulgar 4. Reinventing 5. CFH 6. Power Metal 7. I Am the Night 8. Projects in the Jungle 9. Metal Magic

[@markbunton9919]

Great vid guys! Glad to see the early albums getting some attention since they are really great albums. I still don't understand why the brothers never re-released them. If they put them back out there after Cowboys or Vulgar was released they would have all went at least gold or possibly platinum. Hopefully one day the estates will put them out as a package.

[@Jack-52]

loved it!! Hope we can see an Anthrax or Slayer album ranking

[@kyle.sterritt]

I think he's done slayer but anthrax you might have to search for

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

We've already done Slayer. I'll have to think about Anthrax, as I'm not much of a fan these days.

[@Jack-52]

@@seaoftranquilityprog ill def need to check out the slayer video! thanks for responding pete!

[@kevinm5957]

In 1997, No venue would book them in Detroit due to the destruction. They played a barn at the State Fairgrounds on 8 mile with Clutch and Neurosis. Stage and soundboard barriers flying all over the place. 1) Vulgar Display of Power 2) Cowboys From Hell 3) Far Beyond Driven Not a big fan of the last two and never heard the first few.

[@lahloonatic]

My all-time favorite is Far Beyond Driven. Just pummeling, wonderful album. Great show, and i love that Martin looks like he just rolled out of bed. No disrespect - I did the same myself. Cheers!

[@lahloonatic]

@Martin Popoff I am not a hair expert. When MY hair was short, that’s why the pillow did. I was doubly impressed at the clarity and articulation. Noe i am only singly impressed.

[@kamranmalik8546]

R.I.P. Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul 1. Cowboys From Hell 2. Vulgar Display of Power 3. Far Beyond Driven 4. The Great Southern Trendkill 5. Reinventing the Steel 6. Power Metal 7. Metal Magic 8. I Am the Night 9. Projects in the Jungle

[@spittingvenom9148]

My fav metal band. And one of my fav bands in general. Never got to see them live and I regret that. Saw down a few times and phil is fkn great but god I wish I coulda seen dime and the boys.

[@ThrawnTheater]

So Derek Shulman discovered Pantera, he also discovered Dream Theater. Terry Date produced DT's debut album, Date was a long time Pantera producer. Mike Portnoy sampled By Demons be Driven during his drum solo in the Live at Tokyo performance. Dream Theater wrote the Glass Prison the day after John Petrucci and Portnoy attended a Pantera show. DT also did a great cover of "Cemetery Gates" with Dave Mustaine, Russell Allen, and Burton C. Bell during the 2005 Gigantour. That's all I got for now.

[@swingthestatue]

YES! Been waiting for this one. Big credit on how they got their sound is Exhorder, rather than Metallica's AJFA imo. 1- Far Beyond Driven 2 - The Great Southern Trendkill 3 - Reinventing the Steel 4 - Vulgar Display of Power 5 - CFH 6 - Power Metal 7 - Metal Magic 8 - Projects in the Jungle 9 - I Am the Night

[@captainbeyond7469]

I’ve always saw Dime as the logical progression of the EVH style of guitar playing. He definitely took it to “A New Level “. Cowboys from Hell is my favorite Pantera album it never gets old a true masterwork.

[@ThrawnTheater]

Funny you mention A New Level because that has what might be my favorite Dime solo

[@captainbeyond7469]

@@ThrawnTheater Awesome solo such incredible technique.

[@pvdguitars2951]

I love their early albums, but prefer their later stuff. The first song I ever heard was come-on eyes back in 1985, and I remember how I loved the guitar sound of Dime!

[@pohsibkcirrag6312]

Pantera and the NO Saints singing "Walk" together in Biloxi was AMAZING!

[@chriswoosley3883]

i believe the warmup band on that Pantera tour he was tryin to think of was Danzig, i saw it in Peoria Ill. in 94

[@MartinMcCauslin]

Whenever anyone brings up Pantera I remember back in 1980 there was a girl in my grade (9th) that loved them and passed around a petition for the local rock station to play them more. I'm told the Pantera of '80 was a completely different band than what they evolved into. I wouldn't know. I'll have to watch this video on my break and do what I usually do for these videos and listen to some of their songs to see what i dig...

[@SIRJ1895]

She was pretty ahead of her time, as everywhere I see they didn’t form until 1981.

[@steelerfreak1977]

Darrell turned 14 in August of 1980. So yeah. Lol

[@MartinMcCauslin]

@@steelerfreak1977 i'm old and obviously had my dates wrong so it was the early 80s and not 1980 - I grew up in Dallas so they were somewhat of a local band and back then I figured they were never going to last but they evolved and lasted for decades and I just think that's pretty cool....I'm looking forward to watching the video...

[@virtualsignals1215]

Have you ranked Strapping Young Lad? I searched your channel and couldn't find it.

[@TheLaird406]

Proud to be Loud was featured in the party scene in Donnie Darko. For some reason, they credited as “The Zombies” or something like that🤷‍♂️

[@hellojimmypage]

Exhorder - The Law is the most decent one they never did. Worth checking anyway.

[@i3ar310]

Exhorder are fantastic, they came out with a new album that is pretty decent.

[@ultrahighgain412]

Slaughter In The Vatican is good too.

[@embracerodusk2537]

Exhorder's riffs remind me of Exodus. But not as good.

[@davidvondusseldorf1208]

Phil sounds similar to Exhorder, but Panteras music doesn't sound anything like them

[@85vesti]

There's a whole section on their Wikipedia page entitled 'Exhorder controversy ' that covers one theory behind their sound change. Exhorder really pioneered that groove metal mid-tempo sound, and a lot of people think that Pantera ripped it off. There might be some truth to it....and Exhorder are definitely worth checking out, but Pantera are a whole other level of talent and took the sound in their own direction.

[@RueMorgueDweller]

Pantera also took a few things from Oliver Magnum, a Speed/Power Metal band from Oklahoma who played in Texas quite a lot. You listen to their only full length from 1989, and a demo from 1986 which sounds sort of like Pantera before Pantera, with a superior vocalist.

[@virtualsignals1215]

Meh rock is all about influence and change. Everyone rips each other off, it's part of what makes rock great! I can hear the start of Pantera's new sound on Power Metal. Particularly the song "We'll Meet Again".

[@Nissardpertugiu]

Well phil grew up along Kyles thomas , thats normal there re similarities . Beside exhorder little inspiration. Pantera was much more still heavy metal as Hook makers . Otherwise that groove thing to me comes really from the funk and blues black music they were exposed to in south and 70's bands but percussive as Budgie , and Trapeze big time Pat travers., 70's Judas Priest , Early whitesnake . Try to play The bass/ drum line at the end of psycho holiday solo section and Ready and willing in a row to get it what im saying .

[@Nissardpertugiu]

@@virtualsignals1215 Power metal , Over and out , Death trap , Pst 88 ... Down bellow . Its all there ....

[@TheDodger74]

Most intense live band i've seen, brilliant live.

[@rightchordleadership]

Totally agree.

[@mariopimenteljr8312]

Well done, gentlemen.

[@nico-us8ji]

that compilation pantera album pete was talking about is actually fucking killer like he said. it has so many killer tracks. even has that super dope cat scratch fever cover and hole in the sky. but in my opinion their live 101 proof album is GOD DAMN AMAZING. i fully believe full through its one of the greatest live albums ever to exist. so much power and brutality in that record.

[@DamnableReverend]

I got into this band around the time Trendkill came out or a little before, and I can't say I listen to them a lot anymore...but when I do, it's Cowboys or Power Metal. I loved it when Phil used to be able to do the high wailing vocals. *My* Pantera is stuff like "heresy", and "Over and Out". I wanted more like *that*. Cool discussion though guys!

[@Nissardpertugiu]

I love all the albums As musician i think as developement they re all important . And they never repeated themselves Its an interesting journey . My very Favorites Power metal , CFH , reinventing the steel maybe ? I love projects , i like vulgar , i love FBD , i like TGST ... As musician i find each album interesting as exploration.

[@donaldellis8952]

Would love for you guys to do your favorite boxsets show.

[@petrilampela]

Well, regarding to the first one, age is just a number. My favourite drum track of all time (yes, above Gene Hoglan, Neil Peart, Dave Lombardo and Phil Collins) is "Discontinued" by Death Angel and Andy Galeon was only 16 or 17 when it was recorded.

[@SurfingTheSoundwaves]

I was 20, on magic mushrooms, sitting in the back of my buddy's car, the first time I heard Pantera. Cowboys From Hell when it was a new release Just hearing that opening ka-chuka-chuka riff...it was so amazing. Blew my mind, as cliche as that sounds. Then Vulgar dropped (still my favourite album), and forget about it. Lifer in the Pantera army.

[@garyjoyce2160]

CEMETERY GATES- that song/ riff= 💯 TREMENDOUS!! Thanks PETE/ MARTIN/ great show 👍💯

[@Troy.Ritter]

Pete, when and where did you get the early records on CD? Also, my ranking would look something like this; 9. Metal Magic 8. I Am The Night 7. Projects in the Jungle 6. Power Metal 5. The Great Southern Trendkill 4. Cowboys from Hell 3. Reinventing the Steel 2. Far Beyond Driven 1. Vulgar Display of Power

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

One of our viewers sent them to me!

[@danteruivo]

Still laughing with Martin's poverty metal lol. Loved the video!

[@brandonio_granger]

Personally I hear a lot of RATT in those early Pantera albums especially the guitar playing.

[@sandorfintor]

correct!!!

[@daanthing6002]

1. vulgar 2. cowboys 3. far beyond 4. trendkill 5. reinventing They were my introdution to metal. Before that Angel Duts was my most metal album. In 1993 i got new friends who were into metal. But a friend of my sister beat them to it. During a party he taped vulgar and the first 6 songs from cowboys on a cassette for me. I was blown away!

[@mattw4461]

9) Metal Magic 8) Projects 7) I am the Night 6) Power Metal 5) Reinventing the Steel 4) Far Beyond Driven 3) Vulgar Display 2) Cowboys 1) Trendkill

[@gordy3714]

I have the Great Southern Trendkill with a 15 song best of Bonus cd Australian set list, might be the one Pete is talking about.

[@integrity101]

'Far Beyond The Great Southern Cowboys Vulgar Hits'

[@horsecalledbobo]

Love Martin on BangetTV!!!

[@MrCFH420]

My Favorite band. I have every vinyl. My Powermetal is signed by Dime,Vinnie, and Phil I gotta get Rex on there. The CFH demo Lp is really good. There is also the FN Hostile remix album with Demons be driven remix. The Soundrack songs from The Crow and Dracula 2000 are awesome.The Spongebob song! They have a lot of songs people are not aware of.

[@ryanpigott6197]

1.Far Beyond Driven 2.The Great Southern Trendkill 3.Cowboys From Hell 4.Vulgar Display Of Power 5.Reinventing The Steel (Only doing the Atco years)

[@lening9]

Really difficult to do a complete ranking of the albums since really I consider that they are like two totally different bands and always thought that they should have changed name when they change so drastically their sound, rather than denouncing their earlier work. I like the work of both formats of the band. But for my own personal preferences, since I like more the traditional metal sound, if I had for example to choose between the two in a festival playing simultaneously, I would choose the pre-90 band. So if I rank the whole discography, I would put the early staff higher than their more well-known records, maybe with the exception of Cowboys from Hell somewhere around 3 or 4 spot. But for the only time I will rank the albums in two separate ways for such a band: 1) Power Metal 2) I Am the Night 3) Projects in the Jungle 4) Metal Magic 1) Cowboys from Hell 2) Vulgar Display of Power 3) Far Beyond Driven 4) Reinventing the Steel 5) The Great Southern Trendkill

[@davidcottone2700]

Dimebag did guest guitar on couple anthrax songs from stomp 442 volume 8 and we've come for you all

[@joecarroll3371]

Cemetery Gates is on the Demon Knight soundtrack. Vulgar Display Of Power is my #1 because my best friend in middle school helped turn me on to Pantera, Metallica & other Heavy Metal bands.

[@ericgorman9942]

Martin's version of Reinventing the Steel must be an import. Australian, maybe? That version of the sticker is not what the U.S. typically uses. I know I'm a little late to the game but great video gentlemen. Side note: Pete, you are correct. Those first 4 albums are very good and fun, and worth owning.

[@tramm3]

Funny thing was never a huge Pantera fan but damn do I love "Far Beyond Driven", great album and definately IMO their best cd and the only studio album I own of theirs besides the greatest hits cd

[@kyle.sterritt]

9. Metal Magic 8. Reinvesting the steel 7. Projects in the Jungle 6. I am the Night 5. Vulgar Display of Power 4. Power Metal 3. Great Southern Trendkill 2. Cowboys from Hell 1. Far Beyond Driven, very heavy album and a chart topper