For Week Ending:
23 March 2024

Pantera - Cowboys From Hell (1990)

[Groove Metal]

In 1990 heavy music didn't have the multitude of genres known today. Mainstream metal fans really only knew of three styles - You either played traditional metal, anything heavier was thrash, and the newly emerging really brutal stuff fell into the death metal bucket. Pantera exploded onto the scene with Cowboys From Hell, and although it was initially marketed as a new thrash album, it didn't take more than one listen to know this was something very different - and very new. This was Ground Zero for what would later be known as groove metal, a style Pantera launched, but was quickly popularised by Machine Head, early 90's Sepultura, Grip Inc and many others. The album launches a thousand future mosh pits with the title track, showcasing not only the new style, but also the guitar wizardry of Dimebag Darrell (still known as Diamond Darryl at that point). 'Psycho Holiday' razorblades its way through the listener, and 'Domination' is great display of the exquisite and varied vocals of Phil Anselmo. The album still has its fair share of traditional head-bangers, with tracks like 'Cemetery Gates' showcasing a very 1980's metal ballad, and 'Primal Concrete Sledge' and 'Heresy' bordering on thrash. 'Shattered' and 'Clash With Reality' have some amazing guitar work, but almost come dangerously close to falling into cliche, but for the most part the songs are all rock solid. This was album number 5 for the band after all, although very few listeners knew that at the time.

Arist Information
Pantera is an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers (guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul). In addition to their development and popularization of the groove metal subgenre, Pantera is credited (along with others, such as Testament, Sepultura, and Machine Head) for being part of the second wave of thrash metal scene from the late 1980s to early-to-mid 1990s. Regarded as one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history, Pantera has sold around 20 million records worldwide and has received four Grammy nominations.

Limp Bizkit - The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) (2005)

[Nu Metal]

Limp Bizkit were a band that slotted themselves into the mid 90's music scene with a lot of activity in place. Grunge/Nu-Metal and Metal in general trying to survive. At the time, there were two views of LB. You either loved them or you laughed at some pretentious white boy with his Adidas apparel and orange hat pretending to be a proficient rap artist. But also there were the likes of me that secretly was interested in their early sound. They had much turmoil in the years to come, importantly with lead guitarist Wes Borland who was the cornerstone of their sound, leaving the band. Thankfully he returned to record this E.P. in 2005. One thing I will say is that Durst is an intelligent lyricist and this is displayed perfectly on The Unquestionable Truth - a dark recording that covers many social issues, however it is the music/sound that is much heavier. Perfectly displayed on the intro to 'The Truth', with a heavy bass line, slowly introducing an ice splitting guitar and jungle drumbeat emerging into after a minute or so a colossal sound that matches the song as it progresses. Is a highlight song of the E.P. All up it's 30 minutes of enjoyment closed with a subdue Durst solo at the end which calms the listener down. In summary as short as it is, I see a very mature LB here, looking nothing like their 90's brat days. I was hoping we would get a Part 2 at some stage, but that is yet to eventuate.

Arist Information
Limp Bizkit is an American nu metal band from Jacksonville, Florida. The band's music is marked by vocalist Fred Durst's angry vocal delivery and Borland's sonic experimentation. Guitarist Wes Borland's elaborate visual appearance, which includes face and body paint, masks, and uniforms, also plays a large role in Limp Bizkit's live shows. The band has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, sold 40 million records worldwide, and won several other awards.