Tracks from the Past
Vulgar Display of Power, Pantera
Released Feb. 25, 1992
In 1992, the world changed.
In a music realm previously dominated by grunge and its noncommercial, fuck-you attitude, Pantera released Vulgar Display of Power, which hit the metal scene like a punch to the face from a 300-pound boxer. Everyone expected a solid release from the self-proclaimed “Cowboys from Hell,” but this was something more than that — this was the kind of album that changed lives.
Dimebag Darrell cemented his guitar-hero legacy with every solo on the album, unleashing each note or squeal as if his last. Rex Brown and Vinnie Paul confirmed their status as one of the best rhythm sections in heavy metal, providing a foundation of pummeling groove that makes speakers rumble. Vocalist Phil Anselmo had the ability to transition from sounding like an extremely pissed-off demon on such tracks as “A New Level” and “Fucking Hostile” to the melodic voice of an angel on “This Love” and “Hollow.”
And let’s not forget “Walk,” one of the greatest heavy-metal anthems and bar songs of all time.
Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power sits among the albums at the top of the heavy-metal heap. Pop this CD in your stereo, crank the volume, and go break some shit. It’s what the late and great Dimebag (RIP) would want you to do.
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