Pantera is an American heavy metal band formed in Arlington, Texas, in 1981 by brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. The best-known line-up consisted of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and the Abbott brothers. The band are widely associated with the development and popularisation of groove metal during the 1990s, following an earlier period in which they performed glam metal. They have sold an estimated 20 million records worldwide and received multiple Grammy nominations.

The band’s early years were marked by a glam metal style. With vocalist Terry Glaze, they released the albums "Metal Magic" (1983), "Projects in the Jungle" (1984), and "I Am the Night" (1985), all through their own label and with limited commercial impact. Seeking a heavier sound, the band recruited Phil Anselmo in 1986. Their fourth album, "Power Metal" (1988), showed a stylistic transition, combining elements of glam metal, traditional heavy metal, and thrash metal.

Pantera achieved wider recognition after signing with a major label and releasing "Cowboys from Hell" (1990), which is often regarded by the band as their official debut. The album marked a shift to a heavier, groove-oriented sound. Its successor, "Vulgar Display of Power" (1992), further established their reputation, featuring a more aggressive vocal approach and heavier guitar work. The band’s popularity increased significantly during this period, aided by radio play and music television exposure. Their next album, "Far Beyond Driven" (1994), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

During the mid-1990s, internal tensions began to emerge. Anselmo experienced chronic back pain, which led to substance abuse issues and strained relationships within the band. These tensions affected the recording of "The Great Southern Trendkill" (1996), with members working separately. Despite these difficulties, the band remained commercially successful and released the live album "Official Live: 101 Proof" in 1997. Their final studio album, "Reinventing the Steel" (2000), continued their established style and received positive chart performance.

Pantera went on hiatus in 2001. Ongoing disputes, particularly between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers, led to the band’s breakup in 2003. Following the split, the Abbott brothers formed the band Damageplan, while Anselmo and Brown continued with other projects.

On December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage during a Damageplan concert in Columbus, Ohio. The incident also resulted in multiple additional fatalities. No definitive motive was established. After his brother’s death, Vinnie Paul later formed the band Hellyeah. He died in 2018 from heart disease, leaving Anselmo and Brown as the only surviving members of the classic line-up.

In 2022, it was announced that Anselmo and Brown would reunite for a Pantera tour, using guest musicians to fill the roles of the deceased members. The reformed line-up began performing later that year and continued touring internationally into the mid-2020s.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantera

Studio albums Metal Magic (1983) Projects in the Jungle (1984) I Am the Night (1985) Power Metal (1988) Cowboys from Hell (1990) Vulgar Display of Power (1992) Far Beyond Driven (1994) The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) Reinventing the Steel (2000)