Friday, September 2, 2011

Crunch Time: Pantera

*Welcome to the latest edition of Crunch Time, where I swoon over some of my favorite HEAVY riffs.*

Pantera. Arguably the biggest metal band of the 1990's (Post-Black Album Metallica doesn't count). I wrote a lengthy nerd rant/article about my love for these dudes last year. Now I'm here to gush about one of my favorite Pantera riffs, the one that makes me stop what I'm doing and immediately begin stomping my imaginary enemies to pieces, every single time I hear it. I'm talking about the CRUSHING main riff from the middle section of "Strength Beyond Strength." I still remember the first time I heard this song. The track begins with that break neck thrash tempo and I thought, "wow, I've never heard Pantera play this fast before." Then the song gets to the middle and the overpowering might of Dime's guitar tone caused my bowls to shift and I suddenly needed a diaper. I went from "wow this is a fast song," to "OMG this is the heaviest thing I've ever heard in my life!" Here it is folks, the lumbering behemoth of a riff kicks in @ 1:10 mark.


The power. The sheer power of this riff is unstoppable! It's so simplistic and haunting, it conjures up images of a Neanderthal performing brain surgery with a rusty crowbar. STRONGER THAN ALL.

13 comments:

  1. That was a much appreciated change of pace today. It's always a good time for some Pantera, and that riff was delicious.

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  2. This is great fist-pumping music. Bringing it to the gym!

    Thanks mate

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  3. (Post-Black Album Metallica doesn't count) hahah I was just prepared to mention metallica lol.

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  4. oh man, reminds me of when my brother was an angsty teenager/douche.

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  5. Fun fact: Pantera make a cameo in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

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  6. Mouth for War is my favourite riff. Never liked Anselmo's voice though.

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  7. reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee spect!!!

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