45. Pantera

With all due respect to Metallica, it has been often stated that Pantera was the most important Metal band of the 1990’s. Looking back to that decade, it is easy to see why Pantera has that distinction as if any band broke Metal into new boundaries in the 90’s it surely was Pantera.

The first part of Pantera’s career; may not have yielded its best results. Their efforts in the 1980’s saw them in the Glam Metal genre which yielded neither commercial nor critical hits. With the addition of vocalist Phil Anselmo, the new decade saw Pantera adopt a new attitude and a new style of Metal later dubbed Groove Metal. As Grunge ripped through the fabric of the Metal landscape, Pantera (though not a Grunge band) helped to make the Glam Metal of the 80’s seem like a tame bubblegum act in comparison. Bucking the trends of other Metal subgenres, Pantera remained loyal to their style and developed a legion of fans that would not have it any other way. The Hall is not a complete impossibility, but there is along wait behind their Metal forefathers to get in.
Pantera

www.officialpantera.com

Should Pantera be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put them in! - 85.6%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.2%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 2.7%

No opinion. - 0.8%

No way! - 3.8%

The Bullet Points

Previous Rank: 2011: #103
2012: #80
2013: #69
2014: #63
2015: #59
2016: #57
Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 2009
Country of Origin: U.S.A. (Arlington, TX)
Why they will get in: They have the influence category in the Metal subgenre of Rock and Roll down.
Why they won't get in: With Heavy Metal getting limited love from the Hall, it is unfathomable for Pantera to leapfrog their influences that have not yet got in.
Nominated in: Never
Essential Albums: Cowboys From Hell (1990)
Vulgar Display of Power (1992)
Far Beyond Driven (1994)
The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Psycho Holiday (From Cowboys From Hell, 1990)
Cemetery Gates (From Cowboys From Hell, 1990)
Mouth for War (From Vulgar Display of Power, 1992)
5 Minutes Alone (From Far Beyond Driven, 1994)
I’m Broken (From Far Beyond Driven, 1994)