Pantera

Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 in Arlington, Texas, by brothers Vinnie Paul and Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott. Known for pioneering the groove metal genre, Pantera's aggressive, heavy sound combined elements of thrash, power, and traditional metal. The band gained widespread recognition with their 1990 album Cowboys from Hell, which featured iconic tracks like "Cemetery Gates" and "Cowboys from Hell." Their 1994 album Far Beyond Driven debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and is considered a defining moment in the development of modern heavy metal. Pantera's fierce, no-nonsense music, along with Dimebag's legendary guitar work and Phil Anselmo’s intense vocals, made them a staple of the metal scene throughout the '90s. The band disbanded in 2003 after internal struggles, and in 2004, Dimebag was tragically murdered while performing with his new band, Damageplan. Despite the band’s end, Pantera’s influence on heavy metal continues to resonate.