Pantera
Cowboys From Hell

THE REVIEW

1990 is the year of change, the year in which begins the long triumphant march that will lead the band to become one of the most esteemed groups.

“Cowboys from Hell” I find at times more raw and violent compared to its successor, and by many considered their best work, “Vulgar Display of Power”; where a sort of nihilistic aura envelops everything; the sound bears the stamp of Metallica and Slayer-style thrash.

The CD, with Terry Date behind the recording console, confirms the lineup that had given birth to Power Metal, which is: Phil Anselmo on vocals, Rex Brown on bass, and the two brothers Diamond Darrel on guitar and Vinnie Paul on drums.

The sound from the very first beats, or rather the first seconds of the guitar effect, presents itself as a war machine and indeed the first track of the work, and also the title track, removes all doubt, and the various Psycho Holiday, the touching and introspective Cemetery Gates, and the in your face Domination set our ears ablaze with a Dimebag Darrel that shows how the hell a guitar should be played, creating solos that are complex but also capable of moving the listener; Phil’s voice, on the other hand, spews out through the lyrics the anger and bitterness at how this world is (if we aren't already) heading more and more towards the point of no return.

The Sleep is the “calmest” song and it is noteworthy how wonderfully the initial acoustic guitar riff is linked with the heaviness of the riffs, the bass lines, and the excellent work in this discographical episode by the plump Vinnie Paul where the singing becomes cleaner.

Concluding this review, after so much grace it becomes difficult to speak, it becomes difficult to speak now in 2007.

R.I.P Dimebag Darrel forever in our hearts