| After a false
start as a 1980s glam-metal band, Pantera reinvented itself as a fierce
thrash combo for 1990's landmark album COWBOYS FROM HELL. The Texan band
distinguished itself by offering up its trademark "power
groove" sound--a potent, slowed-down version of the typically
break-neck speed-metal style. The dense, crushing result served as a
foundation for frontman Phil Anselmo's snarl-to-a-scream voice. Although
the group became immensely popular in the early '90s, Anselmo nearly
died in 1996 from a heroin overdose, and Pantera didn't record in the
studio again until 2000. With Anselmo pursuing a number of side projects
(including Down and Superjoint Ritual) and the other band members
seeking different musical outlets as well, Pantera called it quits in
2003 |
