Category Archives: Pantera

UPDATED! More details on Far Beyond Driven’s 20th Anniversary!

FAR BEYOND DRIVEN CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

Two-Disc Anniversary Edition of Pantera’s Metal Milestone
Includes Newly Remastered Version Of Original Album,
Plus A Live Performance From The 1994 Monsters of Rock Festival

Available From Rhino On March 25, 2014

LOS ANGELES – Pantera reached a major milestone in 1994 when the legendary metal band’s seventh studio album, Far Beyond Driven, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, becoming the fastest-selling album of the group’s career and its second consecutive platinum release. Not only a commercial success, the album also earned positive reviews around the world for the beautiful brutality of its all-out sonic assault.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of that landmark album and Rhino is celebrating with a special two-disc version that includes a newly remastered version of the album, along with a live performance from the 1994 Monsters of Rock Festival. FAR BEYOND DRIVEN: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION will be available on March 25 for a suggested list price of $18.98. A digital version will also be available.

Following the breakthrough success of 1992’s Vulgar Display of Power – which has since been certified double platinum – singer Philip Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul returned in March 1994 with Far Beyond Driven. Following its #1 debut, FAR BEYOND DRIVEN remained on the Billboard album chart for seven more months and many still regard it as the heaviest album to ever top the chart.

Its 12 tracks represented a continuation of the previous album’s relentless musical onslaught with hard-hitting tracks like the first single “I’m Broken” as well as the mosh-pit classics “5 Minutes Alone” and “Slaughtered.” Another standout track was the group’s swirling acoustic cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan,” which became a live favorite when Pantera hit the road to support the album later that year.

Fans already familiar with FAR BEYOND DRIVEN are in for a treat with the second disc of the 20th Anniversary Edition. Dubbed FAR BEYOND BOOTLEG – LIVE FROM DONINGTON ’94, the disc contains Pantera full live set recorded at the Monsters of Rock Festival in Donington, England on June 4, 1994. The 40-minute show comprises nine tracks taken from the band’s three most recent albums including: “Use My Third Arm” and “Strength Beyond Strength” from Far Beyond Driven, “Walk,” “Mouth For War,” and “This Love” off of Vulgar Display of Power, plus the title track from Cowboys from Hell as well as the live staple melding “Domination” and “Hollow.”

FAR BEYOND DRIVEN: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Track Listing

Disc One – Original Album Remastered
1. “Strength Beyond Strength”
2. “Becoming”
3. “5 Minutes Alone”
4. “I’m Broken”
5. “Good Friends And A Bottle Of Pills”
6. “Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks”
7. “Slaughtered”
8. “25 Years”
9. “Shedding Skin”
10. “Use My Third Arm”
11. “Throes Of Rejection”
12. “Planet Caravan”

Disc Two – Far Beyond Bootleg – Live From Donington ‘94
1. “Use My Third Arm”
2. “Walk”
3. “Strength Beyond Strength”
4. “Domination/Hollow”
5. “Slaughtered”
6. “Fucking Hostile”
7. “This Love”
8. “Mouth For War”
9. “Cowboys From Hell”

Click here to purchase the Far Beyond Driven 20th Anniversary 2 Disc set. (USA and International).

Click here to purchase the Far Beyond Driven 20th Anniversary T-Shirt from the Official Pantera store.

…..and there will be release parties! In Chicago, it will be at The Exit. In New York City it’s Duff’s Brooklyn! Click on the fliers below for more info.

FBD-Chicago-Record-Release-party     Duff's Brooklyn

Vinnie speaks with Bandit Rock about the beginnings of Pantera, the new HELLYEAH album, the touring lifestyle, more (video)…

While in Sweden. Vinnie stopped by the Bandit Rock studio to share some insight on some things that only he can! Namely, the early days of Pantera; going from cover band to writing originals. Also, the idea behind the title of the new Hellyeah album and why he likes to keep the party lifestyle alive while he’s on tour.

Vinnie shows us the new Far Beyond Driven Dean and more (video).

Director of artist relations for Dean Guitars and ddrum Josh Maloney has a friendly chat with Vinnie Paul at NAMM 2014 in Anaheim, California. Vinnie talks about his return to NAMM, and shows us the new Far Beyond Driven Dean guitar and more guitars made out of the trees in Darrell’s yard!

REVOLVER Magazine Golden Gods Awards are renaming the Best Guitarist Award for Dimebag Darrell.

REVOLVER Magazine Golden Gods Awards are renaming the Best Guitarist Award for Dimebag Darrell. It will now be known as the Dimebag Darrell Best Guitarist Award. Here’s what Vinnie had to say about it: “I am very honored that Revolver is renaming the Best Guitarist Award after Dime! He was and always will be what heavy-metal guitar playing is all about. This award is given to the person with those special skills that sets them apart from others. Dime always went for it and I know he would be proud of the winner of this award. So go for it and may the best shredder win! GETCHA PULL!!” More details about this years Golden God Awards here: http://www.revolvermag.com/news/2014-revolver-golden-gods-announced.html

Twenty years on from ‘Far Beyond Driven’, Metal Hammer celebrates the metal icons that are PANTERA!

Twenty years on from ‘Far Beyond Driven’, Metal Hammer celebrates the metal icons that are PANTERA! Phil, Vinnie and Rex all share their most candid memories of the Texan machine’s rise to superstardom, reveal some unbelievable stories – and talk about the future. More about the issue and purchase info here: http://tinyurl.com/oyvtqm7
metalhammer

FAR BEYOND DRIVEN CELEBRATES 20 YEARS: Details of Two Disc Anniversary Edition revealed.

FAR BEYOND DRIVEN CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

Two-Disc Anniversary Edition of Pantera’s Metal Milestone
Includes Newly Remastered Version Of Original Album,
Plus A Live Performance From The 1994 Monsters of Rock Festival

Available From Rhino On March 25, 2014

LOS ANGELES – Pantera reached a major milestone in 1994 when the legendary metal band’s seventh studio album, Far Beyond Driven, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, becoming the fastest-selling album of the group’s career and its second consecutive platinum release. Not only a commercial success, the album also earned positive reviews around the world for the beautiful brutality of its all-out sonic assault.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of that landmark album and Rhino is celebrating with a special two-disc version that includes a newly remastered version of the album, along with a live performance from the 1994 Monsters of Rock Festival. FAR BEYOND DRIVEN: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION will be available on March 25 for a suggested list price of $18.98. A digital version will also be available.

Following the breakthrough success of 1992’s Vulgar Display of Power – which has since been certified double platinum – singer Philip Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, bassist Rex Brown and drummer Vinnie Paul returned in March 1994 with Far Beyond Driven. Following its #1 debut, FAR BEYOND DRIVEN remained on the Billboard album chart for seven more months and many still regard it as the heaviest album to ever top the chart.

Its 12 tracks represented a continuation of the previous album’s relentless musical onslaught with hard-hitting tracks like the first single “I’m Broken” as well as the mosh-pit classics “5 Minutes Alone” and “Slaughtered.” Another standout track was the group’s swirling acoustic cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan,” which became a live favorite when Pantera hit the road to support the album later that year.

Fans already familiar with FAR BEYOND DRIVEN are in for a treat with the second disc of the 20th Anniversary Edition. Dubbed FAR BEYOND BOOTLEG – LIVE FROM DONINGTON ’94, the disc contains Pantera full live set recorded at the Monsters of Rock Festival in Donington, England on June 4, 1994. The 40-minute show comprises nine tracks taken from the band’s three most recent albums including: “Use My Third Arm” and “Strength Beyond Strength” from Far Beyond Driven, “Walk,” “Mouth For War,” and “This Love” off of Vulgar Display of Power, plus the title track from Cowboys from Hell as well as the live staple melding “Domination” and “Hollow.”

FAR BEYOND DRIVEN: 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
Track Listing

Disc One – Original Album Remastered
1. “Strength Beyond Strength”
2. “Becoming”
3. “5 Minutes Alone”
4. “I’m Broken”
5. “Good Friends And A Bottle Of Pills”
6. “Hard Lines, Sunken Cheeks”
7. “Slaughtered”
8. “25 Years”
9. “Shedding Skin”
10. “Use My Third Arm”
11. “Throes Of Rejection”
12. “Planet Caravan”

Disc Two – Far Beyond Bootleg – Live From Donington ‘94
1. “Use My Third Arm”
2. “Walk”
3. “Strength Beyond Strength”
4. “Domination/Hollow”
5. “Slaughtered”
6. “Fucking Hostile”
7. “This Love”
8. “Mouth For War”
9. “Cowboys From Hell”…

Link to watch the live stream of Metal Masters 5 tomorrow (Wednesday).

Watch the live stream of Metal Masters 5 tomorrow (Wednesday). The Metal Masters 5 lineup is loaded with a star-studded cast of metal musicians. As in years past, the show will start with a brief clinic offering some tips and tricks, and will end with an all-star jam session of metal cover songs. Confirmed guests include:

– Philip Anselmo (Pantera/Down)
– Kerry King (Slayer)
– Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus)
– Charlie Benante (Anthrax)
– Frank Bello (Anthrax)
– Scott Ian (Anthrax)
– David Ellefson (Megadeth)
– Chris Broderick (Megadeth)
– Billy Sheehan (Winery Dogs)
– Mike Portnoy (Winery Dogs)
– Rex Brown (Pantera/Kill Devil Hill).
– Chuck Billy (Testament)
+ special guests TBA!

http://geargods.net/metalmasters/

Decible magazine: That Time Monte Pittman Taught Madonna a Pantera Riff

We all knew Dime’s influence went beyond metal. Check out this article, it’s a better read than you think.

From deciblemagazine.com:
By Jeanne Fury

Some time around 2008, the internet became flooded with YouTube clips of Madonna playing a Pantera song on guitar on her Sticky & Sweet tour. Naturally, portions of the human population became severely butt-hurt and decided such a false display of metal was blasphemous, so they took to the comments section of metal websites to air their many grievances. That’ll show Madonna! Meanwhile, the earth continued to spin on its axis, and the butt-hurt people went about being butt-hurt about many other things.

Not surprisingly, nobody was interested in why Madonna was playing Pantera. Well, Madonna’s guitar teacher Monte Pittman is the man with the answer. Pittman has a metal pedigree, having played alongside Tommy Victor in Prong, and the guy grew up near Dallas, so he was pretty familiar with Pantera’s repertoire. Oh, also, Dimebag had something to do with it.

You’ll read more about Pittman in an upcoming issue of Decibel, but for now, here’s the story, as told by the man himself:

There are so many little details that led to it. It wasn’t like one thing that happened. That goes back to me playing in Prong. There was a Prong show we played in Dallas. That’s the closest place to where I’m from that we played. Dimebag came to the show. He came early, around sound check to say hi to everybody. Tommy Victor was introducing me to Dimebag. It’s just me, Tommy, and Dime backstage at the Galaxy. Tommy’s saying, “This is the new guy; he’s playing guitar with us.” Dime kind of knew about me from the area because I had a band there, [longtime Pantera producer] Sterling Winfield did our last album, so there was a little bit of a familiarity. And Dime was saying, “Do you guys do ‘Cut Rate’?” And we’re like, “Yep.” He’s like, “That’s one of my favorite Prong songs ever.” And he’s looking at me, like, “You can do the solo, right? You got that part?” And he was kinda singing out how the solo went. And I said, “Yeah, that’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to play because the song does not let up.” And we played it faster than how it was on the album. He said, “You gotta stay on top of that string!” And I’m like, “Yep, I know, yep.”

Fast forward years later, I’m playing bass with Prong. We were playing in Oklahoma City and we’re exhausted, doing a lot of traveling and playing every day. And we played that song, and I had to play that on the bass, which is even harder [than playing it on guitar]. And I’m thinking, “How did Paul Raven do that?!” Then this voice went off in my head: You gotta stay on top of that string. And I realized what Dime had been saying to me. When you play fast, your pick naturally goes away from the string, but it doesn’t need to go far away from the string. And so I kind of realized what he was saying, and that changed my right-hand technique forever.

Now fast forward again, we’re getting ready for a Madonna tour [Sticky & Sweet]. She and I go back and forth [practicing the guitar]. We work on some left-hand things, then we work on some right-hand things. I said, “Let’s work on your right hand. Here are some techniques.” Then I told her the story about how Dime told me, “You gotta stay on top of that string.” That kinda led to me filling her in on the whole story of Pantera and how that relates to me. They weren’t just a band that I found out about—that was our hometown heroes.

The next day, she comes back, and on the guitar I could tell she had been practicing what I told her. She was just chugga chugga chugga on the guitar. I was like, “Wow! That’s so much better! That’s a huge difference.” She said, “Yep. You gotta stay on top of that string.”

And so at the same time, she had gotten a new musical director. He wanted to do her song “Hung Up” with her playing guitar. But it’s in D minor. That would be a great segue to me showing her drop D tuning on the guitar. So I was showing her the song, and I was like, “You know what, I gotta teach you some Pantera.” So I showed her the riff to “A New Level” because I thought it would be easy to remember how the notes just move up chromatically, one at a time. She loved that. She kept playing that all the time.

When we were in band rehearsals doing “Hung Up,” once we ended the song, she would start going into that Pantera riff. The rest of Madonna’s band, they’re not really familiar with that music, so they just started playing what she was playing. Every day in rehearsal when we would end that song, we would just start playing that riff. I thought, “Oh that’s cool, that’s fun.”

But then all of a sudden, you would start to see, like, some runners bring water in to stock the refrigerator. And the tour manager just happens to walk in, doing something. All of these people just started showing up at rehearsals who are there working, but just kinda popping their head in the door, like, “Hey I wanna see Madonna play that Pantera part again.”

And it stayed [and became part of the live show]. I was surprised that it stayed. Of course, I’m not gonna say no. When else am I gonna get to play Pantera on a stage in a stadium? But it stayed, and that’s where that story came from.

Here’s Madonna and Pittman performing “Hung Up” and getting their Pantera on beginning at the 4:27 mark.

Source: http://www.decibelmagazine.com/featured/that-time-monte-pittman-taught-madonna-a-pantera-riff/

Sterling Winfield: (Pantera) had the ability to not only talk the talk, but they could walk the walk, and they could walk it all over your fucking face. They had raw power.

(Pantera) had the ability to not only talk the talk, but they could walk the walk, and they could walk it all over your fucking face. They had raw power. That’s what they were all about, just unforgiving. Pantera were the forefathers. They could assault your senses and have you beg for more. They had this energy, and they not only delivered these cutting-edge albums, but each one broke the last one’s mold. Engineer Sterling Winfield on Recording Vangough and Working with Pantera. Read it here: http://www.guitarworld.com/engineer-sterling-winfield-recording-vangough-and-working-pantera

Dimebag Darrell spoke to Guitar World in May 2002 about the Pantera song he would most like to be remembered for.

“I think the kind of music we play will stand the test of time for however long. But if I had to pick just one, I’d go with the powerful, off-the-cuff statement that is ‘Fucking Hostile.’

“When it came out it definitely set the tone and pace for what we were about. I also think our boy Philip [Anselmo, vocals] got it perfectly right lyrically and we got it perfectly right musically.

“So I believe that if somebody heard this song 500 million years from now, they’d go, ‘Goddamn, these motherfuckers knew what they were talking about and sure had their jamming skills down’. Plus, I think people will always be hostile, which is another reason I went with this one.”

-“Dimebag Darrell Abbott