Pantera

Vulgar Display Of Power

AWESOME!

Review Score:

(10/10)
This is my first Pantera album and certainly not my last. If you love heavy metal and don't like this album, I think that a santarium is the abosolute perfect place for you to spend the remainder of your life. All the one star reviews really make me sick and give me periodic spasms of pain and anger blistering in my veins. Why is the average rating for this 4.2 stars? it's far beyond that!! Those people probably don't even listen to the music. They are missing out on all the fun (or just don't like it). Pantera is loud but not very distorted, brutal yet technical, foul-mouthed and tough but send out a couple nice messages (see for yourself in "F.Hostile" and "No Good/Attack The Radical"). For an album that is this "commercial" (not like Limp Bizkit or Blink-182(ugh)commercialism) this really shows very little sign of selling-out (none). The music is not quiite as heavy as I was thinking, but I must of been thinking elsewhere when that came into my mind. However, it takes a little time to get into it. When I first got it, I only liked the first six tracks because the others were too slow. But you need to listen to the whole thing through so that when you're done, you'll be nearly out of breath.

If you want consistantly fast, I don't think that this is the perfect place to look. You'd best be looking at Slayer or Grip Inc. However, "Rise" is blindingly fast. Not all the way through (It would be a little hard for Phil to do the verses while keeping the beat), but if you compare it to Metallica's "Sad But True" in speed, you can see where I'm going. But also, HEAVY! All of that good stuff is found on all of the tracks. However, there is a ballad as you should know by now. The 6 minute-plus "This Love", with it's melodic semi-acoustic-guitars and softer (yet raw-throated) vocals, it deals with the extreme pain of broken relationships. Now hold on; I know some of you are thinking that this is another one of those Papa Roach "She luvs me not" type songs. NO!! KEEP THAT THOUGHT OUT! This song takes it a step further. Instead of feeling sad and pityful about it, Phil emphasizes violent and self hatred very well. It's pretty disturbing, and it can somehow get under your skin in ways too complicated to explain. You'll probably love it, considering it takes a much needed detour from all the screaming and scratchy vocals (that isn't a bad thing at all, don't get me wrong). Aside from that, almost every track is an assault on the sences. "A New Level" is amazing! Grinding guitars and a perfectly constructed (not to mention creative) solo that stands out make it up and really kikas! "Walk" (although very repetitive musically) is tiringly catchy. The main-riff packs it's belongings and moves into your head to live for about a year until it decides to leave you alone relizing how you can't concentrate on anything at all (It's not a bad thing at all). "No Good/Attack The Radical" is an unsettling song that can make you want to attack someone or something. Proceed with caution! "By Demons Be Driven" is one where Phil screams very loud. Be Careful Bizkit fans (it can hurt your ears). All the other songs you need to listen carefully to. You'll love em all. Any weakpoints? Yes as a matter-of-fact. "F. Hostile" is kinda sloppy, the bass can't be heard very well and it just doesn't do too much for me. Oh well. It'll grow on me eventually...

Don't read anymore!!Just grab this classic album as fast as you can! If you love this, I would also recommend Metallica's "Master Of The Puppets", Slayer's "Seasons Of The Abyss", Sepultura's "Chaos A.D." and Megadeth's "Rust In Piece". HEY! ARE YOU STILL HERE? Go out and grab this! peace...

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