RIP Dime
I have to be honest. When Pantera was in their hayday I had no idea who they were. As I have stated before I got into metal late. This doesn't change the impact Pantera, especially Dimebag Darrel had on my taste in music.
Dime was truly a generational talent. Maybe a lifetime talent. His guitar tones and riffs are truly unique. Even today, when any guitarist, in any metal band, anywhere in the world will point to Dime as an influence.
I don't remember specifically which song or songs got me into Pantera. But I know the first Pantera album I bought was Cowboys From Hell. I couldn't make that disk play loud enough. No car stereo or boombox had the power to match the legendary riffs Dimebag was putting out.
I am a drummer. My brother plays bass. We spent countless hours jamming just bass and drums as as teens. So the rythm section was always the part of a song or band that got me hooked.
Pantera was different though. Dimes work on the guitar owns the ears when you first hear Pantera. It doesn't matter if it's one of his signature driving riffs or a masterfully composed melodic lead. There is no doubt that Dime was the driving force behind Pantera's success.
I have since come to appreciate the rest of the band. They truly are one of the greatest of all time. But it doesn't change the fact that Pantera is the band I turn to when shredding guitar is the mood I'm in.
I can't help but think that the timing and manner of Dimebags death has something to do with his legend. Just like Kurt Cobain it's possible the legend is bigger because of the tragic events surrounding his departure from this fucked up world.
But I may very well be wrong here. He had a way of writing riffs and leads that weren't over the top show boaty, yet complex and deep. He spoke with the guitar in a way no one else could. So it's possible that no matter what he would have transended the norm. He truly could have been a living legend. In fact he probably was at the time of his death.
Either way, there is no doubt that metal, and in turn my life and the lives of many many others, are better off than they would have been without him.
Probably the best thing about music is that once you hit record, lay down a track, and put it out there for the world to hear it's alive forever. We never have to live in a world without Dimes work. New generations of kids can still put a Pantera record on and feel inspiration through it. We can still experience him whenever we want.
RIP Dimebag Darrel! I think I can speak for the entire metal community when I say thank you and we love you!
Now go check out this post from Tim Howley of Fit For An Autopsy! Probably the coolest Dimebag story ever!
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