I've heard all four of them. The oldest one, "Metal Magic" (1983), is lukewarm at best IMO. Believe it or not, but it's actually a bit too glammy for my likings. It's very soft. The sound quality isn't very spectacular either. But hey, Dimebag was only 17 when they released this thing. "Projects In The Jungle" (1984) is ten times better and is quite an enjoyable heavy metal album. "I Am The Night" (1985) does not sound like it's two predecessors. It sounds more like a glam/power metal album. It's definitely not as good as "Power Metal" (1988), but I don't think it's crap though. The lyrics are cheesy to say the least, but Dimebag's guitar playing on that album is beyond incredible. The song "Cum On Eyes" (LOL!) is a very good example of that. I know J.D. will beat me to a pulp, but I'm going to post it anyway. Just as an example of course. Here you go:

The lyrics are cheesy as hell. Pantera took the term "glam metal" to the extreme with this song, but Dimebag's guitar playing blows me away. Holy shit! Three jaw-dropping guitar solos in a row! He was only 19 years old back then. What a far cry from his guitar playing on "Cowboys From Hell" and on "Vulgar Display Of Power". 

Do you have "I Am The Night" and "Power Metal" as bootlegs? Or do you have the vinyl versions. Those versions sometimes sell for over $ 100 on Ebay. I downloaded them from the web. I don't know what's wrong with the recording of "Power Metal" though. The sound quality is similar to all the other CD's I bought during the late eighties.

		Sinner Rider wrote:
		I actually have " I'am the night" that is without Phil.. and power metal.. I'am the night is crap... but Power Metal is actually pretty good..  Terrible recording though..      Craig Wagenhoffer wrote:   That's true, J.D. Pantera released four albums during the eighties and I think these albums are way better than anything Pantera released during the depressing nineties. But you know what's really funny? These classic albums are nowhere to be seen in the discography section of the official Pantera website. How silly is that? The first album that is listed on there is indeed Cowboys From Hell. You can not even buy those classic albums. They are only available on bootlegs. The members of Pantera simply deny their existence. That's really lame, because I think three of those four albums are great. Especially "Power Metal". "Projects In The Jungle", released in 1984, is quite good too. Think of Iron Maiden's "Powerslave" meets Judas Priest's "Defenders Of The Faith" meets Def Leppard's "High N Dry".   (Quoting Message by J.D. DIAMOND from Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:59:42 AM)   J.D. DIAMOND wrote:   Lots of people think that Cowboys from hell was Pantera's first album,but I've always know about thier earlier releases in the 80's.....that one goes way back Craig...      Craig Wagenhoffer wrote:   Pantera's best album IMO: CRANK IT! Edited at: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:42:05 AM