Pantera

Far Beyond Driven was the first-ever metal album to debut at No. 1, the indisputable benchmark for extremity and heaviness when it exploded on the world in March 1994. Any doubts are obliterated for all time exactly one minute nine seconds into the first song, "Strength Beyond Strength." The utter brutality and unearthly musicianship never lets up for the rest of the album. Pantera are so on their game here they close things out with a cover of Black Sabbath's sacred space jam "Planet Caravan" that is so perfect only true acolytes-in-the-pocket could pull it off.

Vulgar Display of Power (1992) solidified Pantera's huge fan base – an unholy alliance of
flannel-shirt thrashers and old-school headbangers. The megawatt nation will no doubt find
Far Beyond Driven even more enthralling. Dimebag Darrell's riffing (thick chunks of rhythm
piled atop Vinnie Paul's militant drumming) make him the most percussive guitarist around;
Philip Anselmo hoarsely bellows, and bassist Rex booms below – the whole thing... More >