PANTERA — Vulgar Display of Power (review)

PANTERA — Vulgar Display of Power album cover Album · 1992 · Groove Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
Warthur
Consciously crafted as a counterpoint to Metallica's Black Album - Pantera deciding to go heavier even as Metallica were rushing in the opposite direction - Vulgar Display of Power makes a powerful statement of intent with its title and its cover art, and it delivers on that promise impressively, turning in an album which I think has a strong edge on Cowboys From Hell.

Essentially, the band keep doing what they were doing on Cowboys, only they are a few steps more brutal about it; indeed, to my ears the opening sections of A New Level aren't too far away from death metal. Phil Anselmo's vocals are terrifyingly furious, Dimebag gives an all-time career great performance, and Vinnie Paul's drums really takes the album to the next era.

As with Cowboys, the tragedy of Dimebag's murder and farce of Phil's racist posturing can't take away the historic significance of this release, even if personally I'm not sure Pantera quite scratch the itch for me. If Cowboys From Hell debuted groove metal as a new subgenre, Vulgar Display of Power demonstrates just how extreme groove metal can get.
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siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
BTW has anyone heard the remix of FUCKING HOSTIIIIIIILE? It's equally awesome!
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Vim, i would rather listen to Far Beyond Driven these days. I've heard this one so many times. I was gonna give it a 4.5 when i reviewed it but i gave it about 3 more listens and it just has too many recycled riffs. I guess as a musician i have too sensitive of an ear for these things, but there is no doubt that it is a freekin' classic with many outstanding tracks. FUCKING HOSTIIIIIIILE is certainly one of them :P
Vim Fuego wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I can never understand why anyone would rate Far Beyond Driven as better than this, but it happens a lot. I love the power of this album. And I love screaming "FUCKING HOSTIIIIIILE!"
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Amazing album, this is the album I always turn on when I'm pissed off. Perfect music to get anger out.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
This was a revelation when it was released.

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