Back in the early eighties, brothers Diamond/Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, and their father Jerry Abbott formed their own record label. It was called Metal Magic Records if I remember correctly. Then in 1981, I think, Pantera was officially formed with Vinnie Paul, Darrell, bassist Rex, and original vocalist Terrence Lee. They started everything at club in Ft. Worth Texas called Savvy's. Their very first album was - Metal Magic. It was pretty successful, sold 350,000 to date. Then they made Projects in the Jungle and I Am the Night; the albums were all released on their own label. The only people who knew about them were the locals.

Then one day, Record Label Atco offered Pantera a record deal. It was like a dream come true for Pantera, I suppose. The band wasn't really satisfied with vocalist Terrence Lee, so they dumped him and got Phil Anselmo. Phil was a local singer who went to the same club Pantera went to in Louisiana. Before long, Phil joined Pantera.

In 1988 Power Metal was released, the last one under their own label. This was their first album with Phil; it wasn't very successful. In 1990 Cowboys From Hell, their fifth album, was released under Atco records. It was an instant hit. Nearly six years after their formation, Pantera is finally known throughout the nation.

Then came Vulgar Display of Power, it took the whole nation by storm. Songs like "Mouth for War" and "Walk" were making their way onto the charts. Mouth For War actually went to #1 in the charts beating Metallica's Enter Sandman. Pantera wasn't a local band anymore. They were becoming the premier metal band of the music industry. In 1994 Far Beyond Driven was released, it's my favorite ablum. It has the fast, thrashing sounds all of the hardcore metal fans have been waiting for. It is also the first heavy metal album ever to goto #1.

During the summer of 96, Pantera released their long awaited CD The Great Southern Trendkill. This was an outcry against all the trendies in the so called alternative music. In the CD, more screaming by Phil and other temps have made this CD my second favorite of the Pantera CD's.

And in 1997, Pantera came out with their CD of live concerts with 2 studio tracks named 101 Proof. Awesome sounds mixed with fierce music. Combines some of the best Pantera songs. It's a must buy. Click here for the lyrics. Just as some FYI, the album cover was designed like a Jack Daniels bottle, and originally Jack Daniels was 101 proof alcohol.

After the release of 101 Proof, fans waited 3 years for Pantera's next studio release. Then on March 21st, Pantera released their new album, Reinventing the Steel. The album debuted at No.4 on the Billboard that week.

For a more condensed version of Pantera's History, go see my time table.

Oh, if there's anything wrong with the history section please tell me, email me. I really hate it when I get the history messed up.