Pantera - Great Southern Trendkill
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Artist: PanteraEdition: Music CD
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2000-05-23
Music Label: Import [Generic]
Free Music Notes for Great Southern Trendkill
Free Music Review: Criminally underrated Pantera excellence
Hit: 5 Stars
The Great Southern Trendkill (1996.), Pantera's fourth recognised studio album (their eigth if you count their four album releases during the 1980's which the band now totally disregards)
Three amazing major label studio albums and an ever growing fanbase, Pantera had proven themselves to be amongst the greats of heavy metal by the mid `90s. Their third album `Far Beyond Driven' became perhaps the heaviest album to hit number 1 in the Billboard 200 album chart. Pantera were indeed emerging into widespread fame, however the latter half of the `90s was to mark a turning point in heavy metal with the emergence of nu metal. However, Pantera have never been a band to be deterred away from their artistic vision. `The Great Southern Trendkill' was released in 1996 and has gone on to be the forgotten/divided opinion Pantera album since its release. Does the album however deserve this unfortunate tag?
There are often albums where I feel I have to make a case against the grain of opinion and this is one such album, so here goes. `The Great Southern Trendkill' is very much an expansion of Pantera's groove metal style that they pioneered in their earlier work. To all intensive purposes, this is the bands experimental work as they throw in some deep, semi-acoustic work into the mix. The band also have a much more threatening feel to their sound which is most greatly seen with Phil Anselmo's often layered, `demonic' sounding, vocals. The band also are much more faster in general on this album than in previous releases. Furthermore, this is perhaps Pantera's heaviest album - every aspect to the band is at its greatest power. The groove metal is very much there right through the album yet the album somewhat distances itself from its predecessor `Far Beyond Driven' with its experimental edge. So why does this album only average 3.5 stars overall on amazon.com and why is this the Pantera album everyone forgets? Personally, I can't understand the low rating, maybe some people haven't got the patience to see a band develop its sound. Sure, they may want to play `Vulgar Display Of Power' all day and yes, I could do that as that album is a classic but this album shows excellently how there is much more to Pantera than just creating a new style. They have developed and kept the creativity high. Also, this album still has a number of big hitting tunes than are highly memorable - `War Nerve' or '13 Steps To Nowhere' anyone? The bottom line is that `The Great Southern Trendkill' is a top effort from Pantera that has become sadly underrated. The songwriting across the album is very strong and all of the tracks stand proud in their own right. The band are again in fine form and the production is excellent, combining a heavy yet often mellow feel. Dimebag Darrell plays many a fantastic riff and some awesome lead lines (just listen to the outro of `Floods') and Phil Anselmo still barks out his vocals with pure aggression. He also again shows he can sing really well cleanly and has an excellent baritone sounding voice. This very dark Pantera album is one excellent work!
The opening track `The Great Southern Trendkill' fires off with a huge scream before the song forms into an aggressive opener. The second half of the track is the best part where Dime plays out some awesome melodies and impressive riffs. `War Nerve' is next, one of the finest tracks on the album. The track has a foreboding and grinding feel to it at the start before it gathers speed and energy. Phil spits venom for most of the track which is Pantera at their heaviest. `Drag The Waters' has plenty of downbeat and mellow riffs with a powerful, sludgy chorus. `10s' is one of Pantera's darkest songs with lots of atmosphere. Dimebag plays some gripping melodies towards the end of the track. '13 Steps To Nowhere' has a fantastic Vinnie Paul drum intro. The band's sound on this track is very intense; a solid unit indeed.
For an interesting contrast of songs, look no further than `Suicide Note Part 1 and Part 2'. The first part is an excellent acoustic based song - a great piece of experimentation from the band. Phil sings some heartfelt vocals with plenty of intent and the guitar work is fresh and crisp. Then there is a complete contrast with the second part which is pure speed, urgency and aggression. Another excellent track with plenty of shreiking riffs. `Living Through Me (Hells Wrath)' is another staple Pantera song with plenty of driving riffs. There is a gripping middle section here which has an extremely barren feel to it. `Floods', a track of self explanatory themes is another of the album's highlights. The first half of the song is very mellow, semi acoustic and expressive with some great vocals. Then some pounding guitar chords add a great contrast. Dime's exit guitar melody makes an astounding finish. `The Underground In America' is one of the album's underrated songs. Very powerful, brutal and crushing, it has all of the ingredients for a great Pantera song. The main riff to the track is really memorable - the band clearly liked it as they use it again in `Reprise - Sandblasted Skin'. This is a heavy, high energy finisher where Phil proclaims `The Trend Is Over!' More intense drumming and riffing rounds this classic album out in style!
`The Great Southern Trendkill' is an album that gets much un-needed criticism and is in fact an amazing effort from Pantera. The band have developed their style excellently here whilst still maintaining their trademark sound. The band have never sounded heavier or faster than on this album! I personally wouldn't begin listening to Pantera with this album but I would more than recommend getting this album after hearing `Cowboys From Hell' or `Vulgar Display Of Power'. This album has high replay value and shows a band pushing their boundaries. All I ask is that you look beyond all of the low rating reviews for this album - this work is worth its weight in gold!
R.I.P. Dimebag Darrell
MY RATING: 9/10
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