Track Listing

1. The Great Southern Trendkill
2. War Nerve
3. Drag the Waters
4. 10’s
5. 13 Steps to Nowhere
6. Suicide Note Pt. I
7. Suicide Note Pt. II
8. Living Through Me (Hells’ Wrath)
9. Floods
10. The Underground in America
11. (Reprise) Sandblasted Skin

Length: 53:05

Genre

Thrash metal, groove metal

Release Date

May 7, 1996

Record Label

EastWest Records

The Lineup for the Album

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

Recording Date

October 1995 – February 1996

Recording Studio

• Chasin Jason Studios (Dalworthington Gardens, Texas) – music
• Nothing Studios (New Orleans, Louisiana) – vocals

Produced by

Terry Date and Pantera

Album Themes/Concept

Anger and Frustration: Many songs express rage, defiance, and a general feeling of being fed up. This is directed at societal trends, the media, and internal struggles.

Substance Abuse: Phil Anselmo’s struggles with addiction are reflected in some track lyrics, most notably in “Suicide Note Pt. I & II” and “Living Through Me (Hell’s Wrath).”

Media Criticism: “War Nerve” and “The Underground in America” take aim at sensationalist media and its manipulation of the public.

Isolation and Alienation: Lyrics on songs like “13 Steps to Nowhere” and “Drag the Waters” suggest feelings of loneliness and disconnect.

Religious Imagery: Most notably in the song “Floods,” there’s a use of biblical-style language and apocalyptic imagery which is open to interpretation.

Album Mood

Anger and Tension: The relentless driving guitars, pounding drums, and Phil Anselmo’s harsh vocals convey raw anger and frustration. This energy might make you want to headbang, mosh, or just scream along.

Dark and Introspective: Tracks like “Suicide Note Pt. I & II” and “Floods” slow things down with a haunting and melancholic atmosphere. These songs can evoke feelings of despair, pain, and a dark search for meaning.

Moments of Catharsis: Despite the darkness, certain songs offer a sense of defiance and rebellion. Tracks like “The Great Southern Trendkill” and “War Nerve” provide an outlet for pent-up aggression, potentially even feeling empowering.

Album Trivia

Trent Reznor’s Studio Influence: While the music was recorded at Chasin’ Jason Studios, Phil Anselmo recorded his vocals at Trent Reznor’s (Nine Inch Nails) Nothing Studios in New Orleans. This unique setting contributed to the album’s intense atmosphere.

Behind the Scenes Tension: During the making of “The Great Southern Trendkill”, bassist Rex Brown noticed signs of Phil Anselmo’s heroin use. He became concerned after seeing Anselmo slap his armpit, a reference to drug injection. This period was marked by exhaustion and tension within the band, with Anselmo becoming increasingly erratic.

The “Floods” Solo: Dimebag Darrell’s iconic solo in Pantera’s “Floods” wasn’t born in the studio. It evolved from licks he’d improvise onstage during the “Far Beyond Driven” tour, sometimes even incorporating riffs from Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. This extended soloing honed his melodic phrasing that eventually found its way into the final solo.

Seth Putnam’s Guest Vocals: Anal Cunt’s notoriously offensive frontman, Seth Putnam, provided chaotic background screams on several “The Great Southern Trendkill” tracks, including “War Nerve” and “13 Steps to Nowhere.” Phil Anselmo returned the favor, lending vocals to multiple songs on Anal Cunt’s “40 More Reasons to Hate Us.” Despite their contrasting styles, Anselmo appreciated Putnam’s dark sense of humor.

Dimebag’s Directorial Debut: Dimebag Darrell directed the music video for “Drag the Waters”. The black and white video features a mix of live performance footage and a gritty narrative, reflecting the song’s themes of mistrust and the search for hidden truth.

Listen or Pass

This album might be for you if you…

• Enjoy aggressive, heavy music: Pantera’s signature groove metal sound is relentless, with crushing guitars, pounding drums, and harsh vocals.
• Appreciate raw emotion: The album explores themes of anger, frustration, and despair with unflinching honesty.
• Like impressive guitar work: Dimebag Darrell’s solos are iconic, showcasing both technical skill and emotive playing.
• Are open to dark and sometimes disturbing lyrical content: The themes can be intense, touching on addiction and suicidal thoughts.

You might want to pass this one if you…

• Get easily upset by extreme lyrical themes: Songs like “Suicide Note” are very raw and might be disturbing for some listeners.
• Prefer clean vocals and melodies: Phil Anselmo’s style is primarily harsh and abrasive, with minimal melodic singing.
• Are looking for a lighter listening experience: The album’s overall mood is dark, heavy, and not what you’d call fun or uplifting.
• Are sensitive to loud, chaotic music: The unrelenting volume and aggression may be overwhelming for some.

Release Date

May 7, 1996