Pantera
I Am The Night

THE REVIEW

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."