Darrell Lance Abbott was born August 20, 1966 to Carolyn and Jerry Abbott in Dallas, TX. His father owned a recording studio in Dallas, and as a child Darrell would be inspired by the many country and blues artists that he’d see come and go. Upon discovering Kiss, and more specifically guitarist Ace Frehley, Darrell became interested in heavy metal. Inspired, he started entering guitar talent competitions as a teenager. After winning pretty much everything he entered, he knew that his course was set. In the early 80’s, Darrell started going by the name “Diamond” and formed Pantera with his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul and bassist Rex Smith. With frontman Terry Glaze, the early glam metal style of Pantera was influenced by bands such as Def Leppard and Judas Priest. After releasing three albums (1983’s Metal Magic, 1984’s Projects in the Jungle, and 1985’s I Am the Night), Terry Glaze left the band.

Pantera then found a young singer by the name of Phil Anselmo, and the history of metal was changed forever. Disowning their three previous albums, Pantera began to reinvent their sound. In 1990, Cowboys from Hell was unleashed upon an unsuspecting world, featuring a much heavier style. However, with their release of Vulgar Display of Power in 1992, Pantera cemented their position as legends of metal. In 1994, Darrell changed his name from “Diamond” to “Dimebag”. 1996’s The Great Southern Trendkill earned the band their first Grammy nomination for “Suicide Note, Pt. 1”, and 1997’s release of Official Live: 101 Proof earned them yet another Grammy nod for their live version of “Cemetery Gates”.

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Simply called “Dime” by most of his friends, Dimebag was known as the friendliest, most giving person most had ever met. Fans in Texas considered Dime to be the “people’s rock star”, as he was known to eat at chain restaurants and wave “hello” to fans while strolling through a local Target store. He was very approachable, and Dime never seemed to let stardom go to his head. Rarely seen without his favorite drink (called a “Black Tooth Grin“) in his hand, friends said that Dime lived his rock and roll lifestyle with grace. He enjoyed dousing his friends and family with gifts, and cherished the time that he spent with them. Dimebag Darrell was a class act.

In 2003, Pantera broke up, leading Dimebag and brother Vince to form Damageplan with Pat Lachman on vocals and bassist Bob Zilla rounding out the new band. In February, 2004, Damageplan released their debut album New Found Power, which sold 44,676 copies it’s first week, debuting at number 38 on the Billboard 200. Tragedy struck the night of December 8, 2004, when Damageplan took the stage at Alrosa in Columbus, OH.

During the band’s opening song, 25 year old Nathan Gale rushed across the stage and opened fire on Dimebag Darrell, hitting him several times and killing him instantly. Gale then killed three other people and wounded two more before being shot and killed by a Columbus police officer. I would write about his motives, but this article isn’t about the deranged man that murdered several people and took a legend from us, it’s about honoring one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Dimebag Darrell Abbott. His death has been covered, and while we still grieve for the loss of such a phenomenal brother… I believe that we should celebrate his life, and all that he gave to us in his years of performing.

RIP, Dime. We love you.

[images: ZUMA Press]

Post from: Metal Martyr

The Calavera Conspiracy, on the other hand, were easily one of the best acts all day not named Metallica or Ozzy. Formerly half of the godlike Brazilian death metal group Sepultura, Max and Igor Calavera joined forces earlier this year to produce Sepultura-esque music together. While the Calavera Conspiracy is not anywhere near the level of their former band (or even of Max’s other band Soulfly), the band was still able to rock the arena with old Sepultura covers, as well as some new material. Later, their specific tribute to Dimebag Darrell would stand out amongst a sea of mediocrity: more on that later.

 

After ‘Sanitarium’, Metallica played their only disappointing song of the entire night, a cut off their new album Death Magnetic called ‘Cyanide.’ For metal fans who hated St. Anger, I’ve got some bad news: ‘Cyanide’ suffered from all the same problems as the disappointing last album: poor songwriting, low energy, choppy arrangement, and guitarwork that doesn’t quite fit what the rest of the band is doing. While the song had some great riffs, it seemed they were almost immediately snuffed out by some too-complex drum bit or ill-timed tinny guitar solo. While I’m emotionally bound to buy the album anyways –after all, it does say ‘Metallica’ in big letters across the cover– after hearing ‘Cyanide’, I’m a little worried.

Metallica brought the house down, however, with ‘One’. Introduced by a long series of fireworks and impressive pyrotechnics, the band absolutely rocked with their signature ballad to landmine-based tragedy. Although it was difficult to hear Hammet’s guitar solo (for some reason, huge banners were hung directly over the speakers, and occasionally large gusts of wind would cover the sound), the sight of tens of thousands of potential James Hetfields destroying their vocal chords was amazing.

While I’m not disappointed that I don’t live in or near Texas, I would have liked to go to at least one more Ozzfest in my lifetime. I caught Ozzfest in it’s prime back in 97 and I wonder after this years one U.S. tour date, if they will even bother next year. It’s ok though, with as many different tours out there like Mayhem Fest, Summer Slaughter, and Thrash And Burn, do we really need another Ozzfest?

Ozzfest 2008 Review At Pegasus News

Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr

Post from: Metal Martyr

“The time has come to pay tribute to one of the greatest heavy metal guitarists of all time and a genuine legend — a man who changed the face of metal, who was instrumental in making PANTERA one of the most important and influential groups of the last 20 years, and whose life touched millions and inspired a generation of metalheads. Metal Hammer is hard at work on an extensive, once-in-a-lifetime tribute to the man, his work and his monumental legacy, and we want you to be a part of it. To take part in this historic tribute we need you to send in pictures of yourself. They can be digital, and can even be taken on your mobile phone. Join us in honouring metal’s greatest guitar hero and help us raise a ‘Black Tooth Grin’ to his memory. Simply email your picture to dimetribute@futurenet.co.uk.”

So put on your leather vests, cut off cammy shorts and raggedy chucks and submit a picture to Metalhammer’s dime tribute!

Source: Blabbermouth.net

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Post from: Metal Martyr