PANTERA — Power Metal (review)

Album · 1988 · Heavy Metal

3.5/5 · 2016-08-14
UMUR

"Power Metal" is the 4th full-length studio album by US, Texas based heavy metal act Pantera. The album was released on the band´s own label Metal Magic in May 1988. Like the case were on the three preceding albums Jerry Abbott (the father of guitarist Diamond Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul) acts as producer, but this time around as co-producer along with the band. The first three albums by the band were released within a three year period, but the three years between "I Am the Night (1985)" and "Power Metal" were among other things due to a change on the lead vocalist spot as Phil Anselmo has replaced Terrence Lee Glaze.

Stylistically there´s also been a change from the melodic heavy metal style of the three predecessors to a more harder edged heavy metal style with occasional thrash metal leanings. Terrence Lee Glaze was a great frontman on the early albums by the band, but Phil Anselmo is a more versatile and expressive vocalist and he adds a lot of aggression to the sound too. Not at all to the extent that he would on subsequent releases, but he is still relatively angry sounding on "Power Metal".

"Power Metal" features the most powerful sounding production of any of the first four releases by Pantera and that also helps push the music in a more power focused and aggressive direction. The band are really well playing and by now a very tight unit. In addition to Phil Anselmo´s strong performance, which is a real asset to the music, guitarist Diamond Darrell really shines bright here. His solos on "Power Metal" are generally incredibly well played with a personal touch. Rex Brown (bass) and Vince Abbott (drums) also deliver a very convincing performance.

So at this point it´s only the songwriting that´s still a bit lacking, but there are a couple of pretty strong tracks included, so the overall level of the listening experience is pretty high. It is however obvious that "Power Metal" is a transitional album and there are sections and tracks on the album that are stuck a bit too much in the band´s original melodic heavy metal style and it´s generally the harder edged material that works best. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

more than 2 years ago
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adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Funny, Phil has a totally different attitude towards this album here: http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/philip-anselmo-is-not-against-reissuing-panteras-power-metal-album/

Vim Fuego wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yep. They've refused to ever reissue any of the first four albums. I remember Phil ripping a NZ interviewer a new asshole for even mentioning them!

Tupan wrote:

more than 2 years ago

It's funny, even this album is rejected by the band (just see the "discography" section in the official website).

Unitron wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Good review, although this is a 5-star album for me. "Over and Out" sounds pretty close to something that would fit on Cowboys from Hell.

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Well the first three aren´t bad, but I wouldn´t go out of my way to investigate further. Power Metal is pretty good though. People just shouldn´t expect it to sound much like "Cowboys From Hell".

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

This one is as far back as I've ever felt inclined to go with Pantera, and that was only relatively recently. Definitely not as bad as its made out to be. My overall impression is quite like yours.