Cowboys From Hell by Pantera
Cowboys from Hell is the fifth album by American heavy metal band Pantera, and their first Atco Records album, recorded at Pantego Sound Studio in Pantego, TX and released on July 24, 1990. This was their first commercially successful album, exposing the band's groove metal style to mainstream audiences. Cowboys from Hell is seen as Pantera's "official" debut by most fans, as well as the band itself as they left behind their glam metal past and began to focus on groove metal. After its release, a logo for the band was made featuring the letters 'CFH' (the abbreviation of the album title) in a circular design.
Pantera had made four ’80s-style metal albums before they took a sharp turn toward muscular, bullying thrash on this 1990 breakthrough. Hints of the old tradition are still audible, and “Shattered” suggests Iron Maiden or Judas Priest to the 10th power. And there’s a kegger-ready hard-rock foundation that only makes everything above it punch harder—groove metal starts here, basically. On top, Dimebag Darrell’s shred-crazed solos on monsters like “Domination” and the Metallica-worthy epic “Cemetery Gates” complement Phil Anselmo’s enraged, tonsil-tearing growl to a tee.
