THE ALBUM OF THE DAY IS… PANTERA, VULGAR DISPLAY OF POWER
If Cowboys From Hell put Pantera on the national metal map, then 1992’s Vulgar Display of Power solidified their place as torch-bearers of the 1990’s metal crown. Vulgar Display of Power took everything you thought you knew about metal and one-upped it in every way; the drums are absolutely crushing, the guitars buzz-saw through your brain, and Phil Anselmo’s vocals were by far the most aggressive thing to ever be put on record. Nearly every track on this album is a classic headbanger. The first three tracks rip your head off and kick it into the dumpster, from the album opener “Mouth for War, into “A New Level” and of course the now legendary “Walk,” which to this day is a staple vamp song between bands at metal concerts. But the band pushed the envelope even further by managing to be punishingly brutal even when they slowed the tempo down with such numbers as “This Love” and the neo-classical “Hollow.” On Vulgar Display Anselmo really came into his own as an aggressive metal vocalist that would inspire legions of bands afterwards, but he still retains the singing voice and wide vocal range that got him there in the first place. It really is the best of both worlds, as on subsequent albums his heavy use of drugs and alcohol really took their toll on his vocal chords. This album is a fucking classic and you need to own it if by some tragedy you don’t already.
-VN
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