Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. The group was formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers—drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell—along with lead vocalist Terry Glaze. Bassist Rex Brown joined the band the following year, replacing Tommy D. Bradford, who was the unofficial original. Having started as a glam metal band, Pantera released four albums independently during the 1980s. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera replaced Glaze with Phil Anselmo in late 1986 and released Power Metal in 1988. In 1989, the band secured a record deal with the major label Atco. With its fifth album, 1990’s Cowboys from Hell, Pantera popularized the groove metal genre, while its 1992 follow-up Vulgar Display of Power exhibited an even heavier sound. Far Beyond Driven (1994) debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. In addition to their contribution to the groove metal genre, Pantera is credited for being part of the second wave of thrash metal scene from the late 1980s to early-to-mid 1990s.. Here are all of Pantera’s albums ranked.

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9. Projects In The Jungle (1984)

“Most people do not know Pantera has a few CD’s even prior to this. There was Iam The Night and Metal Magic, followed with this CD Projects in the Jungle. After this was recorded, the band changed up there singer and released Power Metal and from there on, the band became very popular to metal heads world wide. This is just one of my favorite classic Pantera CD’s ever! Deff. a 5 star rating to any “Real” hard core Pantera fan. Getting this threw Amazon was quick to do, just a few clicks and a few days later it arrived at my door. Nicely packed and came in excellent shape. Matter of fact, I’m listening to it now as I do this review.”

8. Metal Magic (1983)

“This was the true debut album of Pantera. For those of you who are new to the band or just simply heard of Pantera, are only familiar with the 90s albums and Reinventing the Steel, but they go all the way to 1981. So this album had all the glam metal that KISS started. This album has some really good songs but most of them you have to pay attention to the instruments because the lyrics are just lame. The best song on this entire album is it’s title track, Metal Magic, which is more thrashy than any other song on this record. The problem with this album (and the other albums with the band’s first vocalist Terry Glaze) is that most of these songs are mostly about what most 80s hair/glam metal bands would sing about: Girls, Making Love, being a couple, etc.”

7. I Am The Night (1985)

“Metal Magic is very much like Def Leppard’s ‘On Through The Night’ but heavier. It also reminds me of 70’s UFO. The production is weak but effective. I wish Pantera would re-release and remaster this album! I Am The Night is heavier and darker style-wise and has some killer guitar playing as usual. My gripes about this album are the electronic drums, (they sound so cheesy, I hated it when 80’s metal bands used them), and the production is also low budget.”

6. Power Metal (1988)

“If you love Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Queensryche or any other glam/classic/prog bands, then you’ll probably like Pre-90’s era Phil Anselmo. The singing on this record is pretty bad, but is more than made up for by the great riffs, mind melting solos ad very catchy tunes. Don’t expect to hear “Cowboys from Hell” or even “Reinventing the Steel” Pantera. This was something different, maybe even something greater. If you do come at this expecting it to be heavy and hard hitting, you’ll lose interest after the first song. If you expect the unexpected, you might get in a glam metal mood.”

5. The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)

“This is probably the most underrated album of Pantera’s discography and I have no idea why. This has everyone in the band bringing their A game and there are really no weak tracks. Phil’s vocals are extremely noteworthy on this album because of how extreme they got. There are times, especially in the opening track, where he is going into almost blackened death metal shrieks. This album is also includes possibly Pantera’s best song, Floods. This song is dark, moody and contains Dimebag’s best guitar work. All in all if your a fan of Pantera or metal in general, then you should probably own this.”

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4. Reinventing The Steel (2000)

“Pantera’s final record, the band goes out with a heavy bang on this record. Reinventing the Steel is more groove oriented than Pantera’s previous two albums, The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) and Far Beyond Driven (1994). Songs like “Revolution Is My Name” and “You’ve Got To Belong To It” are pure heavy Southern boogie, sounding like ZZ Top on steroids. The band also touches on its thrash and hardcore roots on “Death Rattle” and proclaims its status as metal royalty on the foreboding final song “I’ll Cast A Shadow.” While most people believed the band would regroup and continue to tour and release albums, sadly that wasn’t the case with Dimebag’s tragic murder in 2004. However, Reinventing The Steel serves as a fitting end one of America’s greatest heavy metal bands.”

3. Far Beyond Driven (1994)

“It is common knowledge that Pantera ruled the metal world in 1992. This was the release that put them at the forefront of music scene period! Sorry had to put that out there, now the review. With the first track you notice that it seems a little cleaner and the bass is heard a lot better in this mix. The solos seem tighter and the vocals are sounding a lot more energized. The guitar is so alive in the mix you can almost see Dime smiling from above in approval as the music comes through the speakers. The drums always sounded great on the album now they are also brought the mix up so every little slight tap is heard, very nicely. It was far beyond (pun intended) and above a superior album in terms of sound and style when it came out. With the new remaster, it gives this release a whole new life and a reason for a younger metal head to rejoice! The second disc is a recording of the Donnington Mosters of Rock performance. Initially looking at the packaging you see no difference. that is until you take out the booklet and see that it features the Banned artwork that was only released on the international version of the CD! As a music lover and big fan of all things Pantera I say this is a must buy!”

2. Cowboys From Hell (1990)

“In my opinion this was the album that changed the face of Metal. In a time when Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax we’re the standard for heavy metal music; this album arrived, flipped the middle finger, and lived to their word as stated “We’re taking over this town.” Was my favorite album in the early 90’s hands down! Nowown it on vinyl and listen in its purest form just brings me back to when music was fun and unfiltered. This album truly set a standard for bands to follow. I true must have for your record collection.”

1. Vulgar Display Of Power (1992)

“Cowboys From Hell is where the shift in Pantera’s sound from Glam to Groove began, but it is with Vulgar Display of Power that they really master their new sound and make it their own. Everyone in the band is firing on all cylinders here: Dimebag Darrell’s awe-inspiring guitar work, Rex Brown laying it down on the bass, Vinnie Paul’s lightning fast mastery of the drums, and Phil Anselmo’s gravelly roar all come together to create one of the best Metal album’s of the 90s.”