This is it! The album that changed Pantera’s career. I think everyone is aware that they started out as a hard rock glam metal experience that used to tear it up across Texas, and the first four albums were this way. Power Metal, the album before this, was a lot harder – but nowhere near as heavy as this. The difference between the two is night and day. Dime’s soloing and riffing were a game changer, as he was the new benchmark for metal players after this. Vinnie also set the standard for metal drummers, as his footwork and tom work changed everything for metal drumming.
The opening riff and groove to the title and opening track, sets the tone for the whole album. I remember clearly hearing this for the first time and being blown away. The heavy comes in hard with Primal Concrete Sledge, and this is the blueprint the band would take to the extreme. Psycho Holiday is the mix between old and new Pantera. It’s very heavy, but the melody and hooks are still visible. Dimes playing on this track is insane, a VH for a new generation. The opening riff and drum groove to Heresy is crushing – very Antharx in places. Ironically the most traditional hard rock track on the album, Cemetery Gates, would be the one track to get all the early attention. The video was played everywhere, and it’s a killer tune. Medicine Man is another tune that has the melody and heavy together. I would have loved it if they explored this side of the band more, instead of going too heavy and extreme – especially with later albums. Domination, and The Art Of Shredding were benchmark tracks that a host of bands would copy with the over the top guitar and drums.
For me, this album, Vulgar,and Far Beyond Driven were as good as the band got. After that, it all descended into hate and acrimony, and the music suffered. This is a landmark album that all metal heads should own.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
