Cowboys From Hell

Cowboys From Hell

Track Listings

1. Cowboys From Hell

2. Primal Concrete Sledge

3. Psycho Holiday

4. Heresy

5. Cemetery Gates

6. Domination

7. Shattered

8. Clash With Reality

9. Medicine Man

10. Message in Blood

11. Sleep

12. Art of Shredding

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Even those who scoff at the idea that rock & roll is the devil's music have to think twice when listening to Pantera. The pill-popping, strip-bar-ogling, beer-guzzling Texas combo takes Metallica's speed-metal cues to new heights of brutality and sacrilege. Fortunately, they're extremely good at what they do. The polyrhythmic complexity of Vinnie Paul's drumming in "Psycho Holiday" and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell's breathtaking solo in "Heresy" are examples of state-of-the-art metal musicianship. Vocalist Phil Anselmo often sounds like Metallica's James Hetfield, but his brooding croon on "Cemetery Gates" and his falsetto screams on the blindingly fast "Shattered" are more like vintage Deep Purple. Released in 1990, Cowboys made Pantera one of metal's top draws during an era in which it was almost eclipsed by alternative rock. --James Rotondi

Tracks:

Cowboys From Hell
Primal Concrete Sledge
Psycho Holiday
Heresy
Cemetery Gates
Domination
Shattered
Clash With Reality
Medicine Man
Message In Blood
The Sleep
The Art Of Shredding

Amazon.com

Even those who scoff at the idea that rock & roll is the devil's music have to think twice when listening to Pantera. The pill-popping, strip-bar-ogling, beer-guzzling Texas combo takes Metallica's speed-metal cues to new heights of brutality and sacrilege. Fortunately, they're extremely good at what they do. The polyrhythmic complexity of Vinnie Paul's drumming in "Psycho Holiday" and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell's breathtaking solo in "Heresy" are examples of state-of-the-art metal musicianship. Vocalist Phil Anselmo often sounds like Metallica's James Hetfield, but his brooding croon on "Cemetery Gates" and his falsetto screams on the blindingly fast "Shattered" are more like vintage Deep Purple. Released in 1990, Cowboys made Pantera one of metal's top draws during an era in which it was almost eclipsed by alternative rock. --James Rotondi

Customer Reviews:

first elvis now pantera .......2007-07-28

ook elvis was great at what he did right sure why not then a bunch of years later the wonderful band called pantera now they had a few demos with a difrent singer he wasent that good so they hired phil this cd started heavey metal like elvis started rock n roll people didnt like it but it was the kids who loved that is why this is the first heavey metal cd to date not inckluding thoese 80s thrash band but woell by this cd if u are metal head like myself

Step aside for the Cowboys from Hell!!.......2007-07-18

Cowboys From Hell (1990.), Pantera's first recognised studio album (their fifth if you count their four album releases during the 1980's which the band now totally disregards)

At the turn of the 90's nobody would have expected Pantera to become one of the greatest metal bands of the decade and in fact of all time. The band had released four inconspicuous glam metal styled releases in the previous decade which brought them very little success. However, being remembered as a little known glam act was not to be Pantera's fate. At the end of the 80's the band were able to complete a drastic stylistic change to their sound, making themselves much more heavy and brutal. After then being turned down by numerous record companies, Pantera were finally signed to Atco Records (a division of Atlantic) and were able to release the beast that was `Cowboys From Hell'...

`Cowboys From Hell' is the start of a new era as far as metal is concerned. By altering their sound, Pantera all but created a new metal genre which we now come to know as groove metal or post-thrash. With `Cowboys From Hell', Pantera took the choppy and gallopy ryhthms of bands such as Metallica and Megadeth but added a great deal more heaviness, emphasis and groove to the mix. This coupled with the high pitched wails and screams of vocalist Phil Anselmo gave Pantera very brutal and uncompromising sound. This album was one of the heaviest things around at the time of it's release. `Cowboys From Hell' is a seminal metal classic in every sense of the word. The songwriting throughout the album is superb and I wouldn't say there was a single weak track on the whole work. I wouldn't say that this was Pantera's definitive, most genre defining work - that honour goes to the follow-up `Vulgar Display Of Power' - however, this for me is my favourite Pantera album. In terms of songwriting strength, I think this album wins out over all of the subsequent Pantera albums. Also, in my opinion, Dimebag Darrell, the legend himself gives his best display of guitar work on this album. Even though his guitar sound is a little more high pitched and shrill than on the later albums, he plays a fantastic array of inspired riffs, crips fills and majestic solos. In short he shows off his guitar work on this album more than any other and it is awesome to listen to. `Cowboys From Hell' is a little more thrashy than later releases, where the bands groove metal style would become more prominent. Vocalist Phil Anselmo also sings in a less aggressive style than on later album, however he does a fantastic job throughout the album. Vinnie Paul's drumming has its trademark stamp of impressive double bass and general aggression throughout the album. Rex, on bass, for me does a great job. Often the most overlooked member of the band, playing bass in a one guitar metal band is a lot harder than a band with two and he gives a great undercurrent to Dime's riffing.

This metal masterpiece gets underway with the title track `Cowboys From Hell'. This is definitive Pantera, heck it's a definitive metal classic! Dime's immortal riffs impress from the word go and this high energy opener makes for obligatory moshing every time its played. `Primal Concrete Sledge' is a short follow-up. Fast, low pitched, growling guitar work from Dime is supplemented by an unstoppable barrage of double bass from Vinnie. Phil Anselmo mixes up vocal styles very well in this song. `Psycho Holiday' is another classic off this album, the riffs are great and effortless and Anselmo's vocals scream through the speakers with intent. Dime fires out an inspired solo mid-way through. `Heresy' is another awesome song, this was one of the first Pantera songs that I ever heard. It is very gallopy and thrashy in style, especially with the main riff. There is yet another fantastic solo from Dime mid-way through. `Cemetery Gates' is the epic of the album, clocking in at over 7 minutes. A clean undistorted opening allows Anselmo to give a more understated vocal performance. This song, about the death of a lover has some more great riffs and solos. It also has an edge to it that shows of the band's glam past, however it is one of the best tracks on the album. `Domination' is an unstoppable juggernaut of a song, displaying Pantera's pioneering style brilliantly - espicially powerful is the outro with pounding chords and some high tapped guitar lines from Dime.

Next up is `Shattered'. A shorter song, it is another good thrashy tune with plenty of aggression and strong vocals. `Clash With Reality' is one of the more underrated tracks from the album and combines plenty of heavy, racing riffs with a cool melody. `Medicine Man' is much more darker in vocal and musical style. A stripped down verse led by the bass gives way to a gripping chorus with more high pitched vocal wails. `Message In Blood' is more signature Pantera with a heavy bonecrunching feel. `The Sleep' combines a more acoustic and cleaner sound to Pantera's music. The song's chorus is especially impressive and memorable. Then we finish with `The Art Of Shredding', which is for me another great showcase for Dimebag. He `really' does show us the art of shredding on this brilliant finale to one of the all time great metal albums!

So there we have it, an album of uncompromising heaviness and immense songwriting. Pantera never looked back from changing their sound and `Cowboys From Hell' was the start of a series of awesome releases from the band throughout the 1990's. This album is for me though their finest effort, a classic from start to finish. The album is well produced and each band member sounds great. Pantera defined a new aspect to the metal genre as well as a new generation of metal fans and deserve their lofty position in the minds of many. If you're looking to start listening to Pantera, I would recommend this album and the follow-up `Vulgar Display Of Power' as the place to start. I guarantee new listeners to this album will be hooked instantly, just like I was when I first bought it. An album not to be missed!

R.I.P. Dimebag Darrel

MY RATING: 10/10

duh.......2007-06-08

Who wouldn't love this first mass produced Pantera album? YOu'd have to not have ear drums, or a brain.

Good?.......2007-05-16

I bought this ancient cd at a thrift store, donated back 3 days later. I didn't find this cd all that great. Cowboys from hell was the only good song. everything else on this cd is just noisy boring riffs with typical guitar solos that have been done to death by millions of other players. The song structure is typical verse-chorus-verse-chorus-verse-guitar solo-chorus. This is one of the main reason I don't listen to modern day music except rap (underground). Dimebagg Darrel needed alittle more practice, He is not a Legend. Don't get me wrong, he died horribly. But come on people.. A Legend??! They are hundreds of amazing blues and jazz guitarist that have had a short life and they didn't get the praise they deserve.
Phil cannot sing (scream). He sounds like he's singing on the toilet and taking a huge dump. The drummer is so-so. And I cant even hear the bassist.
I tried to give this album a chance but I always fall sleep halfway through the album. I don't understand why is this album so popular maybe I have poor taste.. whatever it is I still give it 2 stars for the effort and the 1st track.

pick yourself up a copy...or download it.......2007-01-17

just make sure to pick up this CD Before you die so you can spend your last moments knowing you listened to what metal really is!