The
History
1983
Pantera was formed by founding members Diamond Darrell, brother Vinnie and Rex.
They release their first independent album titled Metal Magic..
1984
Their second independent album Projects In The Jungle is released.
1985
The third independent album I Am The Night is released
1988
Through the release of three successful
independent albums, the band became progressively heavier and to complete their direction added "The original
circus freak" Philip Anselmo. With Philip, the band recorded their most successful independent album to date - Power Metal.
The album combined with their incredible live shows, gained Pantera a large underground following worldwide.
1990
Pantera sign with East West / Atlantic and release
Cowboys From Hell, produced by Terry 'Rope King' Date.
The album breaks new ground with its own style
and direction. Incorporating raw and
aggressive energy with their polished songwriting
and emphasising their trademark 'Power Groove',
Cowboys From Hell is a worldwide success.
1991
The Cowboys From Hell long form video is released and the
band perform at the 'Monsters Of Rock'
festival in Moscow.
The Russian audience go 'BUGFUCK'
at the band's earth shattering brutality.
1992
Vulgar Display Of Power is released!
Mouth For War was the first metal single ever to debut at
#1 - beating Metallica's "Enter Sandman", while the album
topped the U.S. metal charts for weeks on end!
Critics are unanimous in their entusiasm...Guitar World raved "Anselmo sings with the fury of a post office psycho"
and the Village Voice called Pantera an
"angry, cantankerous, ferally aggressive band that channels
all the free-floating rage of their enviroment into a murderous mettlic growl."
1993
Pantera's first headliner tour of the UK begins.
Band members prepare for the recording of a new album.
1994
Pantera release new album, Far Beyond Driven.
"It's Fucking Heavy!" quotes singer Philip Anselmo.
In March, Far Beyond Driven is released debutting at
No. 1 on the Australian and U.S. album
charts simultaneously.
The world tour begins.
The true definition of Pantera is their
live performance which literally rattles every bone in
your body and crushes at your ears like a vice -
a sheer hostile takeover...
1996
Pantera released The Great Southern Trendkill on May 7th.
The long awaited release following FBD was
everything everyone expected it to be plus some. It's unfair to compare it
to "Vulgar" or any of their previous albums, because
here is where the band "Pantera" become one in the same.
The Power Groove is now driven by the force of all the
members more than ever before... The Tour is slated to
start in the summer, with co-hosts White Zombie and
opening acts EYEHATEGOD and the Deftones.
What an intense summer this will be! With the summer
ending Pantera has diecided to do a solo tour because
singer Philip Anslmo explains,
"We want to fucking play longer".
1997
Pantera releases the "Official Live 101 Proof"