Pantera - Power Metal (1988)

The album was the first featuring Phil Anselmo on lead vocals, and was also notable for containing Dimebag Darrell's first appearance on lead vocals (he later sang on "Caged in a Rage" and "Heard It on the X" from the Supercop and E.C.W. Wrestling soundtracks, respectively), on the final track, "P.S.T. 88". The album fully realizes the heavier direction hinted on the previous album, I Am the Night, and features more traditional metal songs ("Rock the World", "Over and Out", "Death Trap", "P.S.T. 88"), speed metal songs ("Power Metal", "Down Below" and "Burnnn") and a few glam metal songs ("Hard Ride", "Proud to be Loud" and "We'll Meet Again").

Many fans of the album question the decision of the band not to re-release it, since it is very close to the sound on their next album, Cowboys from Hell, and also has a cult following among many Pantera fans. The album is available through bootlegs at this time, though official releases are scarce.

The song "Proud to Be Loud" was written and produced by Keel guitarist Marc Ferrari and was originally intended to appear on that group's 1987 self-titled album. However, Keel would not record a version of the song until 1998. Pantera's version was used as the party song in the theatrical cut of Donnie Darko, credited to the "Dead Green Mummies".

Pantera's former vocalist Terry Glaze helped co-write "Down Below". An earlier recording of the song with Terry Glaze appears on 'I Am the Night.


Track listing
All tracks by Pantera unless noted otherwise.
"Rock the World" – 3:34
"Power Metal" – 3:53
"We'll Meet Again" – 3:54
"Over and Out" – 5:06
"Proud to Be Loud" (Marc Ferrari) – 4:03
"Down Below" – 2:49
"Death Trap" – 4:07
"Hard Ride" – 4:16
"Burnnn!" – 3:35
"P.S.T. 88" – 2:53

Credits
Philip Anselmo - Lead Vocals
Diamond Darrell – Guitar, Lead Vocals on "P.S.T. 88"
Rex Brown – Bass, tubular bells on "We'll Meet Again"
Vinnie Paul - Drums
Marc Ferrari - Backing Vocals, rhythm guitar on "Proud to Be Loud" and second guitar solo on "We'll Meet Again"