Pantera: Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

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.

Track Listing

  1. Mouth for War
  2. A New Level
  3. Walk
  4. Fucking Hostile
  5. This Love
  6. Rise
  7. No Good (Attack the Radical)
  8. Live in a Hole
  9. Regular People (Conceit)
  10. By Demons Be Driven
  11. Hollow

Length: 52:45

Genre

Thrash metal, groove metal

Release Date

February 25th, 1992

Record Label

Atco Records (a subsidiary of Atlantic Records)

The Lineup for the Album

  • Phil Anselmo: Vocals
  • Dimebag Darrell: Guitar
  • Rex Brown: Bass
  • Vinnie Paul: Drums

Recording Date

1991

Recording Studio

Pantego Sound (Pantego, Texas)

Produced by

Terry Date and Vinnie Paul

Album Themes/Concept

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.

Album Mood

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.

Album Trivia

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.

Listen or Pass

Good Times to Listen

  • Workout Fuel: This album will push your limits at the gym or during a run. The energy is relentless.
  • Roadtrip Rampage: Crank it up in the car and let the raw power soundtrack your drive. Bonus points for windows down and aggressive air drumming.
  • Prepping for a Big Moment: If you need to hype yourself up for a competition, a presentation, or any situation requiring confidence and intensity, let Pantera pump you up.
  • Letting Loose: Perfect for when you need to blow off steam, headbang like there’s no tomorrow, and scream along to Phil.

Bad Times to Listen

  • Before Sleep: Unless you want thrashing metal nightmares, this isn’t the best pre-bedtime soundtrack.
  • During a Study Session: The intense energy could easily be distracting if you need to focus.
  • Around Non-Metalheads: Your parents or office mates might not appreciate Dimebag Darrell’s blistering guitar work as much as you do.
  • When You Need to Chill: If you’re looking to relax or unwind, Pantera might not be the best mood enhancer.

Release Date

February 25, 1992