So in case you're a complete heavy-metal philistine, or you haven't kept track of our recent posts about album anniversaries, 2014 marks the 20 year anniversary of Pantera's Far Beyond Driven. To celebrate the album and to commemorate the 10 years that have passed since Dimebag Darrell's death, the guys over at Guitar World have published a previously unreleased interview with the legendary shredder about the album.
As you may know, the album marked a further progression into heavier and heavier territory, something which seemed impossible after an album as brutal (and near-perfect) as A Vulgar Display of Power. Dimebag acknowledges this, saying:
We’re into topping ourselves. Cowboys was Cowboys, and everybody thought that was real heavy. Then we did Vulgar and they said, “No way!” Now you’ve got Far Beyond Driven. Just for us to feel good about what we’re doing we need to top ourselves with each record. With most bands it’s usually the opposite. Every new record they come out with gets lighter and lighter. Then the fans are stuck with the first record, wishing and dreaming. That ain’t what we’re about.
I can definitely relate to the first album sentiment. I too have always had an affinity for that initial burst of passion that comes with a band's early work. The fact that Dime and the rest of the band wanted to keep this part of their sound alive speaks volumes for their legacy.
But beyond just talking about Pantera, Dime goes on to chat about some of the music he was getting into at the time:
I love Dogman by King’s X and Living Colour’s Stain. I’ve been listening to Blues Saraceno too, but most of the time you’ll catch me listening to my old records. I’m old-school, dude. I’m into the new stuff, but I still listen to fuckin’ Van Halen to this day, old Kiss, Judas Priest, Ozzy with Randy Rhoads.
I share this passage mainly because, well…I just totally got into Dogman myself (as should you), so I thought that was kind of funny.
Anyway, the whole interview is definitely worth reading, as Dime discusses topics ranging from amplifiers, working with Terry Date, to walking into the studio hung over. You know, like you do.
