Formation and early glam years (1981-1987)

The core glam era lineup from the early '80s. From left to right: Terry Glaze, Rex Brown, Vinnie Paul Abbott, and Darrell AbbottPantera formed in 1981 with its original line-up consisting of drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, his brother, guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott (originally referred to as Diamond Darrell), bassist Tommy Bradford, guitarist Terry Glaze (also known as Terrence Lee), and vocalist Donnie Hart. At its conception, the members of Pantera were in 11th grade. They began performing KISS and Van Halen covers as well as original material in the glam metal vein in Texas nightclubs. Along with adopting the glam metal sound, the band members frequently performed in spandex and teased-up hair, a common appearance in the glam metal scene.

In 1982, Hart left the band and Glaze took over vocal duties. Rex Brown (originally referred to as Rex Rocker) soon replaced Bradford on bass. Pantera became an underground favorite, though its regional tours in this era never took them past Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The band began supporting fellow heavy metal acts such as Stryper, Dokken, and Quiet Riot, who in turn promoted Pantera's debut, Metal Magic. Metal Magic was released on the band's eponymous record label in 1983 and produced by the Abbott brothers' father, Jerry Abbott (referred to as "The Eldn'"), at Pantego Studios.[4]

The following year, Pantera released its second album, Projects in the Jungle. Though still very much a glam metal album, the band members crafted songs that had less overbearing melodic influences than songs from Metal Magic. Another change was Terry Glaze's surname, which would be "Lee" from then on. In addition, a music video for the album's lead track, "All Over Tonight", was eventually created. Projects in the Jungle was also released on the independent Metal Magic Records label and produced by Jerry Abbott.

For the third consecutive year, Pantera recorded a full-length album to be released on Metal Magic Records, this time entitled I Am the Night. As with Projects in the Jungle, this album saw Pantera's sound becoming heavier (though still rooted in glam metal), and the heavy metal press took more notice of the band. Because of poor distribution, I Am the Night was a costly album to many fans. Around 25,000 copies of I Am the Night were sold. Pantera's second music video was produced for the track "Hot and Heavy".

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A new vocalist emerges (1987-1989)

The band with new vocalist Phil Anselmo (second from left)In 1986, two landmark thrash metal albums, Slayer's Reign in Blood and Metallica's Master of Puppets were released. These two bands would prove to be an important influence on Pantera's change in musical direction.[5] Terrence Lee's glam approach did not fit the band's new outlook and was released; Pantera's search for a new vocalist had begun.

The band went through temporary vocalists such as Matt L'Amour and David Peacock before eventually discovering New Orleans native Philip Anselmo. Prior to joining, Anselmo was the vocalist for the bands Samhain and Razorwhite, and at his first jam session with Pantera, immediately clicked with the other members. With the search over, the band members decided to seriously reconsider their glam metal sound and image. Referring to the band's spandex appearance, Vinnie Paul remarked at a band meeting that "These magic clothes don't play music. We do. Let's just go out there and be comfortable – jeans, t-shirt, whatever – and see where it goes."[5]

More than just the band's image was changing, however. In 1988, Pantera released its first album with Anselmo, entitled Power Metal. By far the band's heaviest album at this point, Power Metal was a mix of 1980s hard rock and thrash metal, sometimes blending both styles in a single song. Complementing the band's new sonic approach was Anselmo's harder-edged vocals compared to those of Terrence Lee.

As with the previous three '80s albums