Pantera
Vulgar Display Of Power

THE REVIEW

"Vulgar Display Of Power," the second major label album by the American band Pantera, is synonymous with MASTERPIECE, because that's exactly what it is: the band's best album and the absolute best of the '90s, the years of Pantera, among the few capable of reviving the fate of a metal scene that was in decline. Pantera's was a unique and unrepeatable formula today (attempted by Lamb Of God, only to produce poor imitations): a warm metal, sharp riffs, a form of thrash different from the canonical style of Metallica, Megadeth, or Testament, their own metal, deadly and relentless rhythms that helped create that indeterminate form of "groove" metal later looted by Korn or Max Cavalera's Soulfly. In short, Pantera was smashing, and it's never useless to reaffirm it, especially since we know that with the passing of the best guitarist of the '90s, "Dimebag" Darrell, the magic of Pantera can never be repeated, unfortunately... setting aside the damn nostalgia, let's move on to these eleven angry songs.

It starts with "Mouth Of War," a riff typical of Pantera's sound, gripping rhythm, a voice halfway between growl and gritty, a song closer to the previous and excellent "Cowboys From Hell" with a textbook solo, but the best is yet to come. The following "New Level" is introduced by a riff that seems to come from the south of heaven (those who understand, understand), a sludge-core groove, contained but effective speed, one of the album's best, an anthemic chorus. There it is, right there, in the third track "Walk," there are no words to describe one of Pantera's songs, which, although a bit repetitive, is one of the most captivating, impactful riffs, and Vinnie Paul's genius work, an ordinarily fantastic solo "(chorus)... respect... walk" !!!!!, terrifying! Here's another classic, "Fucking Hostile" is closer to the more standard forms of thrash metal, excellent fast drumming, emotional chorus, and I’m sorry to repeat myself, but the guitar work is from true music professionals! The first 4 songs alone would be worth the album, but in the fifth track comes the splendid "This Love," introduction entrusted to an acoustic guitar and a rare "clean" voice moment from Phil Anselmo, the song explodes in all its power with a slower pace compared to its predecessors, expressing Anselmo's love for Black Sabbath atmospheres, a slaughterhouse chorus under the stage.

"Rise" has a very fast introduction and is yet another beautiful song with a relentless rhythm from this beautiful album, "No Good (Attack The Radical)" is introduced by an excellent Slayer-esque riff, syncopated rhythm, and some "clean" voice parts. "Live In A Hole" is exceptional, once again highlighting "Dimebag's" skill in a psychoactive and maniacal riff, "Regular People (Conceit)" is yet another celebration of the Pantera sound, compact with excellent drumming work. "By Demons Be Driven" is a more subdued song than the rest of the album and is in line with the sound of their next album "Far Beyond Driven," another excellent record by the band. This legend concludes with "Hollow," an excellent song that for half of its duration seems to be an excellent rock ballad in which Anselmo reveals his melodic side, but then the perpetually angry returns with sharp riffs, nevertheless, a masterpiece song that closes a masterpiece album.

"Vulgar Display Of Power" is one of the fundamental albums of the metal genre and is recommended to all human beings who love music.