Tag: pantera (Page 1 of 2)

This is the last great Pantera album. Sure, they had moments after this but inner turmoil within the band definitely affected subsequent releases. I know I go on about groove quite a lot in my reviews, but these guys had it nailed. If you need a lesson in groove in metal then Pantera should be your teachers. I will pick out five tracks to emphasize this.

Opening tune Strength Beyond Strength starts like the devil is on their tails at a ferocious pace with killer riffage, but then they insert a pure groove section to keep you entertained. Becoming is a groove metal monster. Right from the get go Dime and Vinnie are locked together giving it the beans. In fact, this song is all about the groove. Next, I will pick the king of all Pantera grooves: 5 Minutes Alone. All the way through, right until nearly the fade when the groove gets even deeper and grooving away into the silence. Awesome! I’m Broken, the daddy of all groovy riffs. Vinnie’s drums are killer, and this is another tune that keeps grooving all the way. The middle eight and the end are superb examples of how to groove in metal. Shedding Skin is an example of a heavier tune that keeps the groove going throughout, but that change in gear mid way through is so epic it’s one of my favourite Dime and Vinnie moments.

Forever missed!

10/10 from The Grooveman.

I wish the surviving estates of Dime and Vinnie would get together and get these four early albums to come out as remasters, and stop the endless bootlegging of these titles. The market is definitely there for them. I love these early albums as it shows the influences they had, and man they could play anything. This was the last album to feature Terry Glaze on vocals before Phil would sing in Power Metal.

Hot And Heavy is just wild and Dime’s playing is incredible – see if you can spot the Van Halen riff he throws in. I Am The Night is pure Judas Priest, and we know how much the brothers loved them. Killer descending riff from Dime and pounding kicks from Vinnie. Onwards We Rock is next up and has a super cheesy lyric, but Dime is the saviour with an amazing solo. D.G.T.T.M is a Dime showcase instrumental. Side 1 comes to an end with my favourite track, Daughters Of The Queen. It’s all about the riff and Dime’s guitar sound. Quite a simple song but that guitar sound!!!

Down Below opens up Side 2 and it’s pedal to metal double kicks all the way. Oh and lots of Dime! Come On Eyes is not that great lyrically but who cares when Dime is just ripping it up. Right On The Edge has a huge pounding beat with Dime riffing Priest style. Valhalla has a killer riff with double kicks all the way but the vocals are a bit weak on this track. There is a Primal Concrete Sledge feel to the middle section. The album closes out with Forever Tonight. I guess this is as close as Pantera gets to a ballad, but which Ozzy track does it remind you of? I do love these early albums, I’m biased in that way, but they are a fun listen and Dime was such a great player.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Back in the mists of time, before Pantera were the heavy groove metal kings after their release of Cowboys From Hell in ’90, they had released 4 albums of which Projects In The Jungle was their second, released in ’84. Think of a glam version of the band with Joe Elliot on vocals instead of Anslemo and you won’t be far off.

Dime is an absolute star on this record and he rips it up on every track. If you are a lover of over the top 80’s glam metal, then you will love this. There is not a bad track on this album. If you want to hear what an influence EVH was on Dime’s playing, then listen to his show piece, Blue Lite Turnin’ Red, which is his homage to Eruption.

The only thing I find amazing here is how come they never broke through before they did, because this album is streets ahead of some of the stuff that was around at the time. The riffs are heavy and the guitar is wild, and that is just fine by me.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.