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By now, I think everyone knows that Pantera in the '80s had completely different sounds from "Vulgar Display of Power" and "The Great Southern Trendkill." Returning to that era, here's a review of this "I Am the Night," which, whether we like it or not, represents a part of their career. Back then, Pantera were youngsters in their twenties and were a glam metal/speed metal band heavily influenced by Kiss, Van Halen, and Judas Priest.
To be honest, I never appreciated the old musical style of the Texan quartet (except for "Power Metal" with Phil Anselmo), which was nothing more than a poorly successful blend of Mötley Crüe and Judas Priest, with a singer like Terry Glaze, whom calling disastrous is an understatement (luckily Anselmo arrived later, though even he, over time, will lose many points due to his penchant for shooting up, a passion that almost sent him to the other world after a concert in Texas in 1996).
"I Am the Night" was released in 1985, produced by Vinnie and Dime's father, Jerry Abbott (credited as "The Eldn" on the album). Before giving an overview of the compositions, I must say that this work is barely above zero, both in terms of production (okay, it was the '80s) and creativity (monotony reigns supreme throughout almost the entire length of the product, despite the good technical performances of the brothers). The self-titled "I Am the Night" sounds like a Judas Priest leftover; "On Ward We Rock" is simply horrible; "Daughters of the Queen" is saved from failing by the riffs of the great Darrell; "Come On Eyes" sounds like Mötley Crüe exhausted after a fiery night with the Baywatch lifeguards (Tommy Lee knows it all too well); "Forever Tonight" is a ridiculous ballad where Glaze gives his best at the worst. However, there are a few tracks that can be considered valid, like the opening "Hot and Heavy" and good examples of speed metal like "Down Below" and "Valhalla."
It is certainly not the worst of the glam era Pantera, as the debut "Metal Magic" is unbeatable in terms of awfulness (had I been in their place, I would have thought twice before releasing it). Strongly not recommended for fans of the thrash/groove metal period, though perhaps a nostalgic '80s glamster might appreciate it. Fortunately, Pantera redeemed themselves and managed to leave indelible marks in the history of '90s heavy metal with "Cowboys From Hell" and "Vulgar Display of Power."
Tracklist and Lyrics
02 I Am the Night (04:29)
I am the lightning
and the storm
all hell broke loose
on the night I was born
a child of fire
and burning flames
look to the east
and you'll see hence I came
Might throw you into the darkness
or save you by the light
of the moon and stars
ever shining
celestial bodies burning bright
burning bright
I, I AM THE NIGHT
I, I AM THE NIGHT
I am the terror
the beast at large
heed my warning
sound the alarm
an endless shadow
for daylight you pray
lock your doors
but you cannot get away
Tender angels of mercy
how they run from my sight
eclipsed into darkness
searching only for the light
for the light
for the light
I, I AM THE NIGHT
I, I AM THE NIGHT
!!THGIN TA SEVIL LATEM
05 Daughters of the Queen (04:20)
The coach stands
waiting just outside
just in case the queen
should want to take a ride
but she stays
safely locked away
she knows the world outside
can be so cold and grey
DAUGHTERS OF THE QUEEN
Come outside and Play
Slip into the nighttime
Before it slips away
Her castle
looms into the sky
behind those walls
you'll never see
a fear fall from her eye
she seems content
to live her life all alone
but locked inside
those castle walls
her heart has turned to stone
DAUGHTERS OF THE QUEEN
Come outside and Play
Slip into the nighttime
Before it slips away
DAUGHTERS OF THE QUEEN
Come let me hold your hand
Isn't it about time
You need to feel a man
Today Her Majesty has gone
in death's repose
it's much too late
she lies there all alone
alas the dreams
inside her heart
sleep forever silent
imprisoned by the dead
DAUGHTERS OF THE QUEEN
Come outside and Play
Slip into the nighttime
Before it gets too late
06 Down Below (02:41)
People runnin'
In the street
Lookin' for some
Meat to eat
Its in your
Dirty magazines
All across your
TV screens
Midnight Riders
In the street
Feel the fire
Catch the heat
YOU BETTER GO
DOWN BELOW
YOU BETTER GO
DOWN BELOW
See the ladies
Of the night
Built for speed
To my delight
I steal them
In my limousine
Hear them shout
Hear them scream
Its a dirty job
But somebody's gotta do it
S-C-R-E-A-M !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
07 Come-On Eyes (04:15)
Love at first sight
I caught a glimpse
and I thought I'd try
to win her love
for my very own
She's the kind
that'll move on a dare
she loves a thrill
she'll take it anywhere
but when you need her
she won't be there
won't be there
she's never there
She's got COME-ON EYES
Happens every time
Never givin' her love
Only givin' you lies
She'll put you thru hell
No matter how hard you try
She's got COME-ON EYES
I can't win
she drives me insane
broken heart is
the name of her game
down on my knees
beggin' to Please
needin' her love
All alone
out on the street
she was layin' me out
knocked me off my feet
she's always on my mind
it's what I'm thinkin' of
She's got COME-ON EYES
Happens every time
Never givin' her love
Only givin' you lies
She'll put you thru hell
No matter how hard you try
She's got COME-ON EYES
08 Right on the Edge (04:08)
Shot rings out
hear somebody scream
nightmare
caught up in a fantasy
tied up
fear's workin' overtime
wrecks my sanity
lay down
ear touched the floor
telephone rings
it's someone at the door
it's alright
just the paperboy
hear with the magazines
Can't you see I'm
RIGHT ON THE EDGE
On the verge
Of going crazee
My whole life's been livin'
RIGHT ON THE EDGE
Don't you try and stop me
Life is drivin' me insane
Lights out
can't see a damn thing
shot down
eyes of a hurricane
it's all wrong
stumble outa bed
reach for a cigarette
busted
runnin' in the dead of nite
locked up
back of a black and white
too late
gotta pay the price
luck's runnin' out again
Can't you see I'm
RIGHT ON THE EDGE
On the verge
Of going crazee
My whole life's been livin'
RIGHT ON THE EDGE
Don't you try and stop me
Life is drivin' me insane
I'M NOT CRAZEE!!!!!!!!
09 Valhalla (04:07)
There is a place
where every man who falls
in battle surely will go
and in this place
lives a God
who is their Lord
one of knowledge
who surely knows
Eyes are burning brightly
shining on into the night
heads are falling
valkyries calling
back the men to fight
for The Terrifier
Magic Mystifier
preparation for victory
Mighty Oh! VALHALLA
they're coming Home
to VALHALLA
Each day the valiant
armies of the past
would fight outside the hall
then in the evening
the vanquished would rise up
with the victors
and feast one and all
Written on the runes
the many tales of men of old
ancient kings who ruled the land
a thousand years ago
prayed to The Terrifier
Magic Mystifier
for knowledge and Victory
Mighty Oh! VALHALLA
they're coming home to VALHALLA
Come the final battle
Odinn charges on his steed
Fenrir's foe is thrusting home
but it was not to be
now The Terrifier
Magic Mystifier
Vanquished but he will live on
Mighty Oh! In VALHALLA
He's living on In VALHALLA
VALHALLA!
10 Forever Tonight (04:09)
I've been waiting
all my life
for the moment
to be right
You and me
tonite could be the night
a love fantasy
my heart keeps cryin'
FOREVER TONITE
FOREVER TONITE
I wanna feel
you in my arms
I wanna love you till
the emptiness is gone
Take my hand
Tonite could be the nite
understand
my heart is cryin'
FOREVER TONITE
FOREVER TONITE
Tonite may
never come again
don't want to
let this feelin'
ever ever end
You and me
tonite could be the nite
fall in love
my heart keeps cryin'
FOREVER TONITE
FOREVER TONITE
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