This is the last album of the so-called glam years, and was the first album to feature Phil Anslemo. Phil is full on Rob Halford on this album with the high screams done to a T – and he has the full on bouffant hairdo as well. I love this record – warts an all – as it’s the missing link. It’s still a big stretch from this to Cowboys From Hell though and it was some transformation.
The thing that makes this whole album amazing is Dime. His solos are just incredible. The song, We’ll Meet Again, is just a straight up late eighties power ballad (ish) but the guitar sound and solo are incredible. The title track and Over And Out are double kick pounders but straight out of the Judas Priest groove book. Dime’s love of all things Kiss and cheese is evident in tracks like Proud To Be Loud, which is straight from the “How To Be Kiss In 2 Easy Steps” book. P*S*T*88 sees Dime singing and doing his best James Hatfield impression (very suspect lyrics) and the guitar is killer.
It’s worth getting all these old Pantera albums if you can just for Dime’s playing. The guy was a one off and is greatly missed.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
