As most fans know, Pantera existed for years prior to the Phil Anselmo-led wrecking machine era that we all came to know and love.
While the band released numerous glam metal albums that were filled to the brim with more spandex than your 80’s babysitter had in her entire wardrobe, there WERE some brief moments of early Pantera being bad ass.
One of those moments has recently re-surfaced, and it shows a 17-year-old Dimebag Darrell FRONTING the band on dual vocals and guitar as they crush out a cover of Metallica’s classic, ‘Seek and Destroy’… way back in 1984. We’re talking pre-Dime folks- Diamond Darrell.
Dime, clearly a musical prodigy at a young age alongside brother Vinnie Paul, not only nails the guitar solo, but belts out an incredibly impressive Hetfield vocal impersonation to boot.
Pantera in this video is a trio of Dime, Vinnie Paul and Rex Brown. It’s also pretty crazy to see them playing to a barely-filled small club.
You can check out a full video of the cover below.
In other Pantera-related news, the reunion line up has finally announced their first batch of tour dates for December. Presumably more global dates are coming soon.
When we spoke with Phil Anselmo back in February in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Vulgar Display of Power, he had the following poignant words to say about what he thinks Dimebag and Vinnie wanted for the Pantera legacy:
“Dimebag and Vince always wanted this band to be a legacy band, to be massive… to be our own conduit to success, simply put. I think Dime and Vince, I know Dime and Vince would want the legacy and the name of Pantera to go on and on and on and in everybody’s damn face. I know that for sure. Absa-fucking-utely dude, that would be their biggest dream.”