It really wasn't that radical of a change, because "Power Metal" in no way shape or form, could be construed as a Glam record...it's speedy thrash metal and neo-classical power metal. Nothing like poppy Poison or Def Leppard, though Pantera did have the "hair", which leads many people to superficially lump them in with glam. The big difference is they detuned their guitars, which is the influence of the stoner/doom scene that was concurrently happening. You also have to remember, Anselmo had some friggin range early on, which he completely lost by the time Pantera got to their most groove oriented metal record, "Far Beyond Drive". "Cowboys" has some great numbers like "Shattered" and even some ballads demonstrating that range. It was really a transition of a couple of albums before Pantera reached that monolithic Exhorder groove style, which even then, I don't know if you could soley attribute it to Exhorder.

Its been many years since I ever listened to anything by Pantera before the "Cowboys From Hell" days but based on that video, the sound is very speedy thrash metal with an almost retro style NWOBHM feel to it and the vocals very reminiscent of Rob Halford. Agree that Pantera were probably at their groove height with the "Far Beyond Driven" and "The Great Southern Trendkill" albums.

you know the difference between me and Pantera?

my dimebag hasn't been smoked.

I think your missing something there, Bastard.

If you'd not forgotten that crucial word that made the joke work, it might have been funny :/

fixed.

Yes...nothing better than making fun of a dead legend. Personally I don't think it would matter if Pantera were copycats (they weren't). They were better than Exhorder in nearly every aspect. They were successful for a reason. Mainstream doesn't always equate to "selling out" or sounding generic (ex: Nickelback, Foo Fighters). It could just mean they were a good band. Did Megadeth sell out? No, but they are still immensely popular.

What are the community's thoughts regarding Throwdown. Yes, I know they started out as a hardcore band, and yes I'm aware of their Pantera-esque sound. However, from what I've heard from their latest effort Deathless, they seem to have a very calculated groove sound that works really well with Dave Peters' voice.

It is a joke, but Dimebag wasn't that much of a legend. He is only now cause he is dead, and dying is the easiest way to achieve legend status, especially if you have some recognition already.

Pantera was always a mediocre band of rednecks anyways. Dimebag was the closest to talented they had, though I think he is also given to much credit personally for being a better guitarist than he actually was. Boring seeing him listed as best metal guitarist in mainstream magazines... Chuck Schuldiner could of shredded circles around him... yet he never seemed to make the lists.

You know how many bands stole from Pantera... uncountable. Pantera to me will remain the birth of nu-metal.. Metalcore, Nu-Metal and other styles all owe to Pantera.