Credits:
Vocals: Phil Anselmo
Guitar: Darrell "Dimebag" Lance Abbott
Bass: Rex Robert Brown
Drums: Vincent "Vinnie" Paul Abbott
Alright, let's begin. "The Best of Pantera" was released on September 23, 2003. This was the greatest hits collection after the band put out their final studio album, "Reinventing The Steel". "Best of Pantera" is made up of 16 of Pantera's best tracks, including the classic "Walk", and other songs like "Becoming" and "Cowboys From Hell". The track selection was great, my all-time favorite "5 Minutes Alone" is also on here.
1 - Cowboys From Hell: Classic Pantera song. Starts up with wicked guitars and bass, and Phil comes in about a minute into the song. Probably one of Pantera's more popular songs, an absolutly awesome track. 4.5/5
2 - Cemetery Gates: This is one of my favorites on the whole cd. Begins with a slow guitar intro, light vocals, then the guitar solo explodes into the song. Long song, with both slow and fast parts. 4/5
3 - Mouth for War: Pretty good song. Not one of my personal favorites, but one of the cd's several highlights nonetheless. Begins with hard guitars and continues throughout the song. 3.5/5
4 - Walk: Classic Pantera. You've all heard this song, whether you like Pantera or not. The guitar starts the song alone, followed by a great drum entrance. This is Anselmo's best song in my opninion, his vocals sound perfect with the rest of the band. The guitars keep a steady pace throughout, and do it without getting boring. Great track: 4.5/5
5 - This Love: Another song that starts off slow, gets hard, and goes back and forth. Anselmos vocals sound great with the harder parts of the song, and the slower ones too. The drums really stand out in the slower parts. Anselmo's vocals make the hard parts, it sounds amazing with Dimebag's guitars. The bass also sounds great in the slow parts, and the slower vocals are pretty good. Awesome song. 4/5
6 - I'm Broken: One of Pantera's better-written songs, lyricswise. I love this song, crazy guitars and drums, and the bass lines are great. Dimebag's solo is one of the best I've ever heard, ever in a song. 4/5
7 - Becoming: Yeah, you know this one. Starts up with totally distorted guitars, and the screaming vocals match the songs sound. The guitars really make this one, there seems to be different riffs all over the place and it makes the song very interesting. The drumming is also good, wicked rolls and cymbals push the song along with the guitars. I highly reccomend this track. 5/5
8 - 5 Minutes Alone: In my opinion the best Pantera song EVER. Fast, hard drums start up the song and the guitars go on and off, palm-muting alot. The vocals are great, and the lyrics couldn't possibly be any better. Wicked song: 6/5
9 - Planet Caravan: A Sabbath cover. Not one of my favorites on the collection, the entire song is slow instrumentals and vocals. Ok song, but I wouldn't reccomend it. 2.5/5
10 - Drag The Waters: Cool song, starts up with interesting guitars and drums. The vocals aren't Pantera's best, but still they're good. Not an album highlight, good song though. 3.5/5
11 - Where You Come From: One of the best songs on the entire cd. Begins with drums and guitars, and then goes into a wicked riff. The vocals are great, and the bass really stands out in this song. I highly reccomend you listen to this one: 4.5/5
12 - Cat Scratch Fever: (Ted Nugent cover) I don't like this song much, it sounds different than the other songs on the album but the vocals aren't really that good. The guitars are great, but the vocals aren't Anselmo's best. 3/5
13 - Revolution Is My Name: Another Pantera classic. Starts with totally distorted guitars, and the bass sounds great in the intro. Then it goes into a fast riff that keeps up throughout the song. 4/5
14 - I'll Cast A Shadow: Great Pantera song. Fast intro, then slows down a bit to let the vocals come in. The vocals are really great, and the song is heavier than the usual Pantera song. The drums in this one aren't really that noticable, but they keep the songs slower parts sounding perfect. An album highlight, a fast and hard song that has its slower parts. 4/5
15 - Goddamn Electric: Classic song. The usual hard guitars and drums, and Anselmo sounds awesome. The lyrics are interesting, Anselmo names a couple of other bands. More of a classic Pantera song, not too heavy but not soft at all. Another song I'd reccomend. 4.5/5
16 - Hole In The Sky: A Black Sabbath cover, and Unfortunatly the last song on the album, but a great finisher. "1, 2, 3, 4" Starts up the song and distorted guitars come in with the drums. The guitar is absolutly amazing throughout the song, and the bass really stands out . The drumming is pretty avereage, but the rolls and cymbals keep the song's pace going. Great track: 4/5
Well that's it for this one, I suggest you go buy it if your one of the three people who haven't yet.
Overall Album Rating: 4/5
