
Cowboys from Hell (1990)
“Cowboys from Hell” marked a pivotal shift from their glam metal past to a heavier groove metal sound. The album’s success propelled the band into mainstream recognition and solidified their place in heavy metal history.
If “Cowboys From Hell” was a warning shot, “Vulgar Display of Power” was the full-scale assault. The album is a relentless barrage of pure metal power, showcasing the band’s songwriting prowess and sheer ferocity. Its influence rippled through the metal scene, inspiring countless bands to embrace a heavier, more uncompromising sound.
Length: 52:45
Thrash metal, groove metal
February 25th, 1992
Atco Records (a subsidiary of Atlantic Records)
1991
Pantego Sound (Pantego, Texas)
Terry Date and Vinnie Paul
Anger and aggression: The primary theme throughout the album. Lyrics express raw, visceral anger at the world around them and towards individuals who’ve wronged them.
Power and Dominance: The album’s title itself reflects this theme. Songs like “Walk”, “Mouth for War”, and ” A New Level” are anthems about individual power and refusing to be controlled or pushed around.
Betrayal and Disillusionment: Several songs deal with the sting of betrayal and the collapse of trust (“This Love,” “Hollow”). There’s a sense of feeling let down by people and by society in general.
Resilience: Despite the album’s negativity, a strong undercurrent of resilience runs throughout. Pantera refuses to be defeated; they take the anger and turn it into fuel for their own brand of power.
A sonic fist: The album serves as a brutal, aggressive, and relentless expression of the band’s musical evolution. Pantera had moved fully into their groove metal sound, and wanted this album to be an unapologetic, overwhelming display of power. The cover art, depicting a man being punched in the face, symbolizes this exact forceful attitude.
Aggressive: The album drips with an unrelenting aggression. From the driving riffs to Anselmo’s snarling vocals, Pantera channels a raw, combative energy throughout the tracks.
Intense: The music is relentlessly fast and heavy with very few moments of respite. This creates an intense listening experience that demands the listener’s attention.
Angry: The lyrics are filled with frustration, rage, and a sense of being wronged or pushed to the edge. This undercurrent of fury powers the album’s overall mood.
Defiant: Beneath the anger, there’s a strong feeling of defiance. Songs like “Walk” and “Mouth for War” are about standing your ground and refusing to bow to pressure.
Empowering: For some listeners, the sheer force of the album can become strangely empowering. The aggression and intensity translate into a sense of catharsis and release.
Title Inspiration: The title “Vulgar Display of Power” is taken from a line in the film “The Exorcist,” where a character describes the devil’s greatest trick as convincing the world he doesn’t exist. The band felt the phrase captured the aggression and intensity of the album’s music.
Song Inspiration: The song “Walk” from the album was inspired by a confrontation between vocalist Phil Anselmo and a group of rowdy audience members at a Pantera concert. Anselmo’s message of defiance and self-empowerment resonated with fans and became one of Pantera’s most popular songs.
Recording Location: The album was recorded at Pantego Sound Studio in Pantego, Texas, the same studio where Pantera recorded their previous album, “Cowboys from Hell.”
Guitar Tone: The distinctive guitar tone on “Vulgar Display of Power” was achieved by using Randall amplifiers, which contributed to the album’s heavy and aggressive sound.
Chart Success: “Vulgar Display of Power” peaked at number 44 on the Billboard 200 chart and has since been certified double platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 2 million copies in the United States.
February 25, 1992