1983
Pantera was formed by founding members Diamond Darrell,
brother Vinnie
and Rex. They
release their first independent album titled Metal Magic..
1984
Their second independent album Projects In The
Jungle is released.
1985
The third independent album I Am The Night
is released
1988
Through the release of three successful independent albums, the band became progressively
heavier and to complete their direction added "The original circus freak" Philip Anselmo.
With Philip, the band recorded their most successful independent album to date - Power Metal.
The album combined with their incredible live shows, gained Pantera a large underground
following worldwide.
1990
Pantera sign with East West / Atlantic and
release Cowboys
From Hell, produced by Terry 'Rope King' Date. The album breaks new ground with its
own style and direction. Incorporating raw and aggressive energy with their polished
songwriting and emphasising their trademark 'Power Groove', Cowboys From Hell is a
worldwide success.
1991
The Cowboys From Hell long form video is released and the band perform at the 'Monsters Of
Rock' festival in Moscow. The Russian audience go 'BUGFUCK' at the band's earth shattering
brutality.
1992
Vulgar
Display Of Power is released! Mouth For
War was the first metal single ever to debut at #1 - beating Metallica's
"Enter Sandman", while the album topped the U.S. metal charts for weeks on end!
Critics are unanimous in their entusiasm...Guitar World raved "Anselmo sings with the
fury of a post office psycho" and the Village Voice called Pantera an "angry,
cantankerous, ferally aggressive band that channels all the free-floating rage of their
enviroment into a murderous mettlic growl."
1993
Pantera's first headliner tour of the UK begins. Band members prepare for the recording of
a new album.
1994
Pantera release new album, Far Beyond
Driven. "It's Fucking Heavy!" quotes singer Philip Anselmo. In March, Far
Beyond Driven is released debutting at No. 1 on the Australian and U.S. album charts
simultaneously. The world tour begins. The true definition of Pantera is their live
performance which literally rattles every bone in your body and crushes at your ears like
a vice - a sheer hostile takeover...
1996
Pantera release The Great
Southern Trendkill on May 7th. The long awaited release following FBD was everything
everyone expected it to be plus some. It's unfair to compare it to "Vulgar" or
any of their previous albums, because here is where the band "Pantera" become
one in the same. The Power Groove is now driven by the force of all the members more than
ever before... The Tour is slated to start in the summer, with co-hosts White Zombie and
opening acts EYEHATEGOD and the Deftones. What an intense summer this will be! With the
summer ending Pantera has diecided to do a solo tour because singer Philip Anslmo explains
"We want to fucking play longer".