Less than a year and a half ago, Dimebag Darrell was torn away from this world by a crazed fan with a handgun. Since that horrible night in Columbus, the former members of Pantera have dropped from sight. Shinedown, Hinder and Three Days Grace have taken over rock radio. These tragedies have left the heavy-metal world searching for something to pull it from the darkness.
Out of the darkness and into the light comes “Rebel Meets Rebel,” an album recorded in pieces over four or five years by Pantera members, Dimebag drummer Vinnie Paul and bass player Rex Brown with vocals by outlaw country legend David Allan Coe. Yeah, that’s right, Pantera and David Allan Coe.
Neither side of this story needs any introduction, but for those who forgot, Pantera ruled the metal world for more than a decade and was an unlikely member of the mainstream when its brutal anthems like “Walk,” “Cowboys From Hell” and “Revolution Is My Name” got on MTV and radio. David Allan Coe is one of the most infamous entertainers of the past 60 years. He has spent more than 20 years in detention centers and prison, authored the book, “Take This Job and Shove It” and is a world-famous gambler. The collaboration between them is nothing short of amazing.
The album kicks off with “Nothing To Lose.” Before Coe starts singing, it sounds like vintage Pantera, but once he jumps in it sounds like Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.” If any of these songs get to radio, this will be one.
“Cowboys Do More Dope” is a song that showcases the southern roots and the influence of the Pantera brothers’ father, a country-western producer. This is perhaps the most country-sounding song on the record. Its got Dime’s killer tone, a heavy riff which somehow just sounds country, some piano, a solo that would be at home on “The Great Southern Trend Kill,” a cool little bass line and Coe reminding us to not take the purple acid.
“Heart Worn Highway” and “Arizona Rivers” are slower numbers that will make you think of “Cemetery Gates” and Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan.”
The highlight of the record is “Get Outta My Life.” The song is driven by a riff reminiscent of “Cowboys From Hell” and features Dimebag on backup vocals and special guest Hank Williams III on chorus vocals. This song also includes what Vinnie said is Dimebag’s best solo.
For those tired of artists from Australia and guys singing about the beach calling themselves country, buy this album. If not fooled by Avenged Sevenfold’s “metal” or if people want to be inspired to play the guitar, this is the album. Also, any type of metal fan should buy anything that has the names Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul on it.
The whole record is something to behold. It’s good, original and sounds better than 95 percent of all the country and metal out there. Paul said it’s not country, and it’s not metal, it’s just a get together of country-metal minds, and it sounds just like that.
Paul said he and Dimebag were really proud of it. It is a record they made with one of their childhood heroes. Listeners can feel the excitement and happiness the Pantera brothers felt when they got to jam with David Allan Coe.
