Track Listing

1. Cowboys From Hell
2. Primal Concrete Sledge
3. Psycho Holiday
4. Cemetery Gates
5. Shattered
6. Medicine Man
7. Sleep
8. Heresy
9. Domination
10. Clash With Reality
11. Message In Blood
12. Art Of Shredding

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10605 in Music
• Released on: 1991-06-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even those who scoff at the idea that rock & roll is the devil's music have to think twice when listening to Pantera. The pill-popping, strip-bar-ogling, beer-guzzling Texas combo takes Metallica's speed-metal cues to new heights of brutality and sacrilege. Fortunately, they're extremely good at what they do. The polyrhythmic complexity of Vinnie Paul's drumming in "Psycho Holiday" and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell's breathtaking solo in "Heresy" are examples of state-of-the-art metal musicianship. Vocalist Phil Anselmo often sounds like Metallica's James Hetfield, but his brooding croon on "Cemetery Gates" and his falsetto screams on the blindingly fast "Shattered" are more like vintage Deep Purple. Released in 1990, Cowboys made Pantera one of metal's top draws during an era in which it was almost eclipsed by alternative rock. --James Rotondi

CD Description
In the tradition of bands such as Metallica and Judas Priest, Pantera put themselves on the map with supercharged blues-based metal riffs and screaming/singing vocals. Adding groove to their artistic aggression made COWBOYS FROM HELL a landmark for the band.
With the relentless "Primal Concrete Sledge", Pantera take a chance and incorporate industrial elements into their style, a risky move for a metal band in 1990. "Psycho Holiday" showcases machine-gun syncopation while"Heresy" matches thrash riffs with double bass drumming dexterity. The haunting and dramatic "Cemetery Gates" features soulful vocals and was responsible for thrusting Pantera in the metal mainstream. The outro to "Domination" makes use ofan infectiously mosh-worthy progression, while a call-and-answer metal/blues riff comprises the hook in "Shattered". Drummer Vinnie Paul has a drum sound that's comparable to thatof Lars Ulrich (of Metallica); both of them were heavily imitated in the early '90s. "Clash With Reality" and "MedicineMan" are studies in incorporating progressive elements intothrash structures. COWBOYS FROM HELL stood at the forefrontof a new phase in heavy music; Pantera are now recognised for contributing to the development of '90s metal in the sameway that Metallica did in the '80s.

Customer Reviews

Pantera your walls down!
This is definately Pantera's best album (yes, that's better than the incredibly overrated Vulgar Display Of Power). Every song is memorable in it's own way. Songs like Primal Concrete Sledge, Cemetry Gates and Message In Blood are fantastic and shows Dime's ability being pushed to the limit. The drumming is also fantastic on this album, Vinnie Paul is a legendary metal drummer!

Track ratings:

1. Cowboys From Hell - A fantastic opening track. Even my mother is able to get into the groove of this track!
Rating: 10/10

2. Primal Concrete Sledge - My second favourite track because of it's sheer energy and fantastic sound. A live favourite. This song gives you a good idea of what Pantera is all about!
Rating: 10/10

3. Psycho Holiday - Same as above, joint second favourite.
Rating: 10/10

4. Heresy - Good, but not as good as the first three, although this does contain some fantastic guitar and drum work. Phil's vocals on this song and basically the whole album are phenomical.
Rating: 9/10

5. Cemetry Gates - One of my favourite songs ever. Goes on a bit, but it's worth the wait!
Rating: Absolute Maximum!

6. Domination - Same as track 4. Generally, a good track. I love the intro!
Rating: 9.5/10

7. Shattered - See above. Same except better.
Rating: 10/10

8. Clash With Reality - I love this song, you will too!
Rating: 10/10

9. Medicine Man - Worst track on the album. Don't get it stuck in your head!
Rating: 8/10

10. Message In Blood - Fantastic chorus and solo! You will not be able to leave this track alone!
Rating: 10/10

11. The Sleep - This isn't a track that you will easily remember.
Rating: 8.5/10

12. The Art Of Shredding - Just listen to that drum line!!!
Rating: 10/10

Album overrall rating: 9.5/10
Could do with some improvements, but you're not going to find a better Pantera album. If you're just getting into them buy this first and then buy the Vulgar Display Of Power album.

buy, Buy, BUY!!!

Timeless
This album is truely incredible. Right from the start to the very last note you will get pulled in. This album is certainly by no means short of amazing riffs, solos and all round great guitar playing. Vocaly Phil is at his most versatile pulling off power metal type vocals to rough and gritty styles simular to that of the later part of their career. The drums are pounding and well used as well as basslines that complemet all of the guitar work perfectly. This is one of those rare CD's you will buy that will be timeless as it can be played over and over again and be just as enjoyable as the first time you heard it. If you like metal to drink to, do yourself a favour and buy this!

PANTERA'S GREATEST
This is a great album produced by one of the most greatest bands ever. This album shows the full potential of Pantera, with phil screaming away, Dimebag 'n Rex blasting the amps and Vinnie beating the drums. This has to be Panteras best, opening the album with the classic 'Cowboys From Hell', and then going to the mighty 'n fast 'Primal Concrete Sledge' and when you think things can't get any better you hear the melodic but heavy Psycho Holiday. Then comes the unique intoduction for Heresy, and then the relaxing 'n catchy Cemetery gates, after that their is the almighty Domination ,and then you shall hear the pounding of phils superb voice in Shattered. After all that, their is Clash With Reality, Medician Man, the great Message in Blood, and then, one of the most greatest songs, THE SLEEP, and after all that addictive pounding to your ears, they finish it off with the amazingly catchy and great The Art of Shredding.

All-in-all, this is a great album needed in every album collection, so if you haven't got, buy it now!!