Track Listing

1. Hellbound
2. Goddamn Electric
3. Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit
4. You’ve Got to Belong to It
5. Revolution Is My Name 6. Death Rattle
6. We’ll Grind That Axe for a Long Time
7. Uplift
8. It Makes Them Disappear
9. I’ll Cast a Shadow

Length: 43:53

Genre

Thrash metal, groove metal

Release Date

March 21, 2000

Record Label

EastWest Records (subsidiary of Warner Music Group)

The Lineup for the Album

• Phil Anselmo: Lead vocals
• Dimebag Darrell: Guitars
• Rex Brown: Bass
• Vinnie Paul: Drums

Recording Date

Late 1999 into early 2000

Recording Studio

Chasin Jason Studios (Arlington, Texas)

Produced by

Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul (with Sterling Winfield as co-producer)

Album Themes/Concept

Defiance and Resilience: Many songs (“Hellbound”, “Goddamn Electric”, “Revolution is My Name”) deal with themes of standing your ground, inner strength, and refusing to be defeated by adversity.

Anger and Aggression: Typical of Pantera, there’s plenty of raw aggression channeled through the lyrics and music.This is particularly prominent on tracks like “Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit” and “Death Rattle”.

Personal Struggles: Some songs reflect the band members’ internal battles and personal demons. “We’ll Grind that Axe for a Long Time” hints at substance abuse issues, and there are undercurrents of pain and isolation on tracks like “I’ll Cast a Shadow”.

Return to Form: The title, “Reinventing the Steel” and several lyrical instances suggest a theme of the band reasserting their dominance and power within the metal scene.

Album Mood

Intense and Energizing: The album kicks off with a burst of adrenaline. Songs like “Hellbound,” “Goddamn Electric,” and “Revolution is My Name” are filled with driving rhythms and Dimebag’s signature blistering guitar work. This energy carries through most of the album.

A Touch of Darkness: While defiant, there’s an undercurrent of unresolved anger and pain. Songs like “Death Rattle” and “I’ll Cast a Shadow” have a slightly darker, more introspective tone that balances the in-your-face aggression.

A Return to Roots: For fans of Pantera’s classic sound, this album has a noticeable throwback feel. It’s less experimental than “The Great Southern Trendkill” and returns to a more straightforward, groove-metal style that will feel familiar to long-time listeners.

Album Trivia

Recording Location: The album was recorded at Chasin’ Jason Studios in Texas, which was Pantera’s personal recording studio. This allowed the band to have complete creative control over the recording process and capture their raw energy and intensity.

Collaboration with Kerry King: Kerry King, guitarist for Slayer, contributed a guitar solo to the song “Goddamn Electric.” His blistering solo adds an extra layer of intensity to the track and showcases the camaraderie between Pantera and their peers in the metal community.

Final Studio Album: “Reinventing the Steel” is Pantera’s final studio album before their breakup in 2003. While the band members went their separate ways after its release, the album stands as a testament to their enduring impact on the metal genre.

Grammy Nomination: The song “Revolution Is My Name” from “Reinventing the Steel” received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2001.

Listen or Pass

This album might be for you if you…

• Enjoy classic groove metal: If you like bands like Exhorder, Machine Head, and Pantera’s earlier work, the album’s focus on heavy riffs and driving rhythms will be right up your alley.
• Appreciate raw aggression and energy: This album doesn’t hold back. Its intensity is a great fit if you want metal to give you an adrenaline boost.
• Are a fan of Dimebag Darrell’s guitar work: This album features plenty of his blistering solos and signature tone.
• Want a taste of Pantera’s legacy: While not their most popular album, “Reinventing the Steel” is a part of their history and captures their sound at a specific time.

You might want to pass this one if you…

• Prefer melodic or clean vocals: Phil Anselmo’s vocals are harsh and aggressive throughout the entire album.
• Want complex or progressive music: This album prioritizes straightforward, hard-hitting songs over experimental structures or technical musicianship.
• Are sensitive to aggressive themes: Some of the lyrics deal with anger, violence, and personal demons, which could be off-putting to some listeners.
• Are new to Pantera: If you’ve never listened to them before, albums like “Cowboys from Hell” or “Vulgar Display of Power” might be a better entry point into their sound.

Release Date

March 21, 2000