Top 10 Pantera Songs

Top 10 Pantera Songs

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You had better saddle up, because here come the cowboys from hell! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 Pantera songs. For this list, we’ve chosen our entries based on a combination of the artist’s fan favorites and their most commercially successful songs. We’ve also tried to choose the tracks that are most associated with and define the band. With that said, get ready to raise your fists in a vulgar display of power!

#10: “This Love” Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

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Kicking off our list is a fan-favourite ballad. Based on one of frontman Phil Anselmo’s failed relationships, “This Love” retains the emotional depth that comes with heartache, while providing a heavier edge on the chorus. The constant shifting from melodic to frantic guitar riffs captures the idea that not all relationships end happily, and that they can quickly turn ugly. The song is one of Pantera’s most popular tracks, charting in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10.

This song is pure aggression. With a hateful look at the world and the people around them, this track is essentially a vicious anthem that condemns those who abuse their authority and power, be they political figures, religious leaders or even parents. Phil Anselmo’s vocals are blunt in their meaning yet poignant in their delivery, creating a song that will well get fists pumping. A protest song to end all protest songs, Pantera coarsely gets their message out on this song. Also, who can forget that kickass guitar solo?

This is a power ballad that shows that Pantera isn’t all about the screaming. Reminiscent of Metallica’s “One”, the song delves into the minds of the band members as they watch a friend of theirs fall into a comatose state. Dealing with emotions such as helplessness, despair and the absence of hope, the song is powerful in its approach to how those that are left behind suffer just as much as the one who’s now gone. Anselmo’s vocals are so emotional they could bring almost anyone to tears, and the opening guitar riff is sombre enough to tell its own story.

Undergoing a major genre change on Cowboys from Hell, Pantera made the leap from glam metal to groove metal and became a groundbreaking act. “Domination”, the sixth track from this album, is seen as a classic in the eyes of fans, as the song does what it promises and dominates with killer guitar work and exceptional vocals by Phil Anselmo. Despite not being released as a single, the potent lyrics and stellar riffs both get a chance to shine to create a fan favourite track.

#6: “5 Minutes Alone” Far Beyond Driven (1994)

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This just goes to show that inspiration can come from absolutely anywhere. Taken off the band’s chart topping seventh album, this song was inspired by a heckler at a Pantera gig. After showing him up, the heckler’s father wanted to have “five minutes alone” with lead singer Phil Anselmo to show him who’s boss. Anselmo decided to stick it to him by writing a song about the incident. The result was a fan-favourite track that’s heavy in all the right ways!

#5: “I’m Broken” Far Beyond Driven (1994)

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This song contains one of the most famous riffs in all of metal, and it came from a sound check. The late, great Dimebag Darrell stated that while practising random riffs with the rest of the band, with a hangover no less, the basis of this song was born. The track is made all the more poignant by Phil Anselmo admitting that the lyrics were a rare sign of vulnerability due to his severe back problems. A heavy metal testament to living with pain, it’s no wonder it made our list.

#4: “Mouth for War” Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

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It was the first Pantera track to ever chart, the first single off their incredibly successful sixth album, and in the minds of fans it is one of their best songs period. The band is no stranger to the concepts of anger and hate, and while they are evident in the song itself, the subject matter is twisted into something far more positive. Phil Anselmo claimed that the song was about taking all that negativity and channeling it into something positive. In this instance, what we got was an awesome track that’s become a Pantera signature!

It’s the longest song that Pantera has ever recorded, and as a result we are treated to a seven minute power ballad that demonstrates just how good these guys are. The lyrics describe thoughts of following a lover to the afterlife, which is inspired by a real life friend of Anselmo. With Dimebag Darrell producing awe-inspiring guitar solos that drift between melodic and heavy, Phil Anselmo lets loose vocals made to tear at your heartstrings while still making you want to rock out!

#2: “Walk” Vulgar Display of Power (1992)

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Arguably the most well-known Pantera song, “Walk” shows the band doing what they do best – taking their anger out on the world around them and turning it into a piece of rock history. It’s easy to understand why the song contains so much animosity, as Phil Anselmo explains that the idea came about after friends started to treat the band differently following the success of Cowboys from Hell. This track basically tells them to shove it and walk away in typical Pantera style! Before our number one pick walks its way to the top, here are a few honourable mentions. - “Becoming” Far Beyond Driven (1994) - “Strength Beyond Strength” Far Beyond Driven (1994) - “Goddamn Electric” Reinventing the Steel (2000) - “The Great Southern Trendkill” The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) - “Floods” The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)

This was the song that started it all. It brought Pantera out of Texas and right into the heavy metal hall of fame. Mixing the band’s signature power-groove style with thrash metal, the track is a call to the world to announce their arrival, almost making fun of the fact that their home state isn’t well known for producing successful metal bands. Who woulda thought they’d be the ones to beat all the odds? As this song proves, they didn’t beat the odds; they tore them down. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favourite Pantera song? For more hard rocking top tens published everyday, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com