Release Date - 1990
Rating - 5/5
Woo now here's a classic of one of the greatest thrash bands ever! Cowboys from Hell. One of the greatest albums to ever be released in general. The good thing about Pantera is they just kept getting better and better, but the bad thing, sadly, they aren't around anymore. R.I.P. Dimebag. One of, if not the greatest modern metal guitarist of the this and the last decade. It's a shame he had to be brutally gunned down and losing him was a hard blow to metal all over the world. There music has had such a huge impact on everybody and this truely is one of there best. Even with it's late timing in 1990 on the verge of the grunge invasion, this album still did well and built a huge fan base. Even the album cover has that instantly recognisable feel to it, along with being one of the funniest album covers ever made. Vinnie has a sandwich in his hand for god's sake!
With the opener that gave them there nickname and countless tattoos for, Cowboys From Hell opens this album. One of the grooviest riffs every made this song surely is one of there best when they said "HEY! Fuck you we're gonna dress whatever way we want and play whatever the fuck we want!" And Look what it did, it made them massive and garned them massive respect world wide. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, this is what I'd say: "JUST FUCKING BUY THE CD!"
Up next is Primal Concert Sledge with it's very primal drumbeat and heavy guitars. Clocking in at just over two minutes it's the shortest song on the albu. All in all, not really much to say about this track, just Time For Primal Concert Sledge!
Fuck if this next track doesn't get you headbanging I don't know what will? Slayer? Anyway this next one is Psycho Holiday. The one and only. Chugging guitars galore and powerful vocals from Phil Anselmo. Definitly one of the stand out tracks. Kinda makes ya think, why can't we all just go crazy and have a nice "holiday"?
Heresy, with that harmonic intro it's unmistakable. Definitly a good song, but not overly the best song on the album. It does contain some of Phil's higher register screams.
Cemetery Gates. The one and only. Arguable one of the best songs they've ever written, here it is in all it's glory. Clocking in at just about 7 minutes, the length of it does not make this song boring, it just makes it even more epic and heavy. It contains a beautiful acoustic intro riff that is heard many times through out and goes into an almost eerie interlude for one of the most recognisable riffs in history. Nobody can pull a pinch harmonic like Dimebag ever could. Phil is all over this song, full power and when he chooses to use his actual singing voice, he almost has a Geoff Tate tinge to his voice. It's got just the right amount of screams, growls, and singing to make it great. Also, I think anyone who listens to it can relate to the lyrics no problem, and the emotions Anselmo puts into his voice. Proudly also, this song contains one of the top solos ever written and has landed on many many charts to prove it, usually being very high up. And the ending to this song is nothing but legendary with the vocal/guitar battle of who can go higher? Amazing ending. Phil really shows what he's made of.
Domination!!! FUCK! Nuff said. *Bangs Head*
I could end my review right now and those 6 songs are worth the purchase along but no, we've got 6 more left! Starting the second half of the album with Shattered, a fast paced in your face thrasher with some powerful screams all over the place. It definitly sets the pace and is a great overall example of the whole album. Clash With Reality follows closely behind. Another groovy main riff, proving why Pantera was at the forefront of "Groove Metal". If your music doesn't make you get up and do something, why bother listening to it?
Featuring a "heavy as balls" riff, Medicine Man is the 9 track. Really, these boys are almost like Black Sabbath in terms of how they play there instruments. Each member compliments the other and works pefectly each to create some damn good music.
Message In Blood is up next. A heavy mid tempo rocker with lots of random heavy fills and a good groove. Again with the Geoff Tate esque high screams but sound a lot more reinforced and powerful this time around.
The Sleep is the next song and when I first heard it, I thought "Oh my god Diary of a Madman!" But when the song kicks in that feeling goes away instantly. Heavy, chunky and full of attitude. It features Phil singing softly on the chorus which is very rare on account of he's known as one the most brutal thrash singers around. Another beautiful and melodic solo from none other then Dimebag, who else could rip something that great?
Opening with a steady bassline, The Art of Shredding ends the album very well. A nice mid tempo rocker that turns into something very... well... Pantera. And that's a good thing.
Well, with this album containing some of the most original riffs, ripping solos, brutal vocals, animal like drumbeats and everything else in between, this really is one of the metal's greatest albums and has a lot to be proud of. Without a doubt Cowboys will stand the test of time and has built up enough respect to be recorded in the metal pantheon forever. What more can I say really? If you don't have Cowboys From Hell, you definitly should, even fans of ligher metal should own this just to widen there range in terms of what they listen to. If not, fair enough. But in true Pantera spirit, a big "Fuck you!" to those who disagree and say this album is even a little bad.
R.I.P. Dimebag Darrell Abbott, one of the greatest.
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