The earliest influences of power metal are traced back to 1976 when the musical group Rainbow(led by Ronnie James Dio) released the track, "Stargazer". The track is widely considered the first power metal song. The genre achieved widespread popularity through Helloween's 'Keeper of the Seven Keys' albums. Read Full BioPower Metal is a generally up-beat metal genre consisting of fast guitar hooks and catchy tunes, often associated with neo-classical metal and progressive metal, and occasionally glam metal.
The earliest influences of power metal are traced back to 1976 when the musical group Rainbow(led by Ronnie James Dio) released the track, "Stargazer". The track is widely considered the first power metal song. The genre achieved widespread popularity through Helloween's 'Keeper of the Seven Keys' albums. Helloween, with artists Blind Guardian and Stratovarius, are considered the pioneers of the genre.
Power Metal is often divided between two types. Helloween and Blind Guardian led the more guitar orientated power metal (see speed metal), while Stratovarius set the tone for a more melodic variant of the genre. These two streams of power metal are not too far apart and power metal bands are very commonly seen with influences from both types. American Power Metal acts are more often of the guitar orientated type, while in Europe both streams are well represented.
The early 90's saw the rise of the bands Gamma Ray, Angra and Iced Earth, which still have a solid fan base today. In 1997 the genre's popularity experienced a big boost by Hammerfall, Rhapsody and Edguy all releasing debut albums. At the turn of the century, the genre gained even more popularity due to the rise of mainstream acts like Nightwish and Dragonforce.
The general aspects of power metal are fast drums and fast bass riffs, often in 16'th or 8'th notes, but a slow change of guitar chords, resulting in an harmonic sound. Guitar solo's are present in virtually every song. Most power metal bands make use of a keyboard. This is more often seen in the more melodic power metal bands, in which they are used mostly for orchestration. Most power metal bands have two guitar players and a vocalist who is mostly not playing another instrument in the band. Mostly power metal vocalists are male tenors singing in a very high range. Notable exceptions to this are Roy Khan of Kamelot and Joakim Broden of Sabaton. The lyrics are mostly about fantasy themes and glory and sword-era battle, though almost any subject is possible for a power metal band.
Key persons in the development of Power Metal:
Kai Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray)
Michael Kiske (Helloween)
Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian, Demons & Wizards)
Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius, Revolution Renaissance)
Andre Matos (ex-Angra, ex-Shaman)
Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards)
In USA, the term was originally used somewhat differently and referred to the bands that would have been described as "speed metal" in modern terminology. See American power metal.
Cowboys from Hell
Pantera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Nobody touches us at all
Showdown, shootout, spread fear within, without
We're gonna take what's ours to have
Spread the word throughout the land
They say the bad guys wear black
We're tagged and can't turn back
You see us comin'
And you all together run for cover
We're takin' over this town
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well my friend, you see
It's been slow down below,
Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales friend
Cause high noon, your doom
Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell
Pillage the village, trash the scene
But better not take it out on me
Cause a ghost town is found
Where your city used to be
So out of the darkness and into the light
Sparks fly everywhere in sight
From my double barrel, twelve gauge
Can't lock me in your cage
You see us comin'
And you all together run for cover
We're takin' over this town
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well my friend, you see
It's been slow down below,
Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales friend
Cause high noon, your doom
Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well my friend, you see
It's been slow down below
Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales friend
Cause high noon, your doom
Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell
Step aside, we're the cowboys from hell
The song "Cowboys from Hell" by Pantera is a high-energy, riff-heavy anthem about a group of outlaws who intend to take over a town. The lyrics describe their bold and brutal tactics as they spread fear throughout the area, pillaging and trashing everything in sight. The "cowboys" in question are not actual cowboys, but rather a metaphor for the band members themselves, who are depicted as ruthless and unstoppable.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, asserting the cowboys' dominance and warning others to stay out of their way. They are not to be messed with, and anyone who tries will face the consequences. This sets up the showdown that is to follow, as the cowboys take over the town and claim it as their own. The chorus reinforces this idea, with the cowboys brandishing their weapons and daring others to try and stop them.
The second verse reinforces the cowboys' reputation as fearsome and dangerous, with references to a "ghost town" where the city used to be. The imagery of sparks flying and shotguns blasting adds to the sense of chaos and violence that the cowboys are unleashing. The final chorus drives home the message that the cowboys are unstoppable, with the repetition of the phrase "we've won" hammering the point home.
In conclusion, "Cowboys from Hell" is a high-energy, aggressive song that paints a vivid picture of a group of outlaws taking over a town. The song is notable not only for its fierce lyrics, but also for its driving rhythm and memorable guitar riffs.
Line by Line Meaning
Under the lights where we stand tall
We are standing proudly under the spotlight
Nobody touches us at all
We are invincible and untouchable
Showdown, shootout, spread fear within, without
We are ready for a confrontation and will make our power felt wherever we go
We're gonna take what's ours to have
We will not let anyone come in the way of what we want to achieve
Spread the word throughout the land
Let everyone know that we are the ones in charge
They say the bad guys wear black
We may look intimidating in our all-black attire, but we do what we feel is necessary to achieve our goals
We're tagged and can't turn back
Our reputation precedes us and we cannot change who we are
You see us comin’ And you all together run for cover
People are afraid of us and try to avoid confrontations with us
We're takin' over this town
We are in control of everything that goes on here
Here we come, reach for your gun And you better listen well my friend, you see It's been slow down below, Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
We are slowly moving towards our goal and are not afraid to use violence if necessary. We are the ones in charge here
Deed is done again, we've won Ain't talking no tall tales friend Cause high noon, your doom Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell
We have achieved our objective once again and are not bragging about our victories. Beware, we will come for you next
Pillage the village, trash the scene But better not take it out on me Cause a ghost town is found Where your city used to be
We are not responsible for the damage done to the town or city. It is the result of our actions, but we are not to be held accountable
So out of the darkness and into the light Sparks fly everywhere in sight From my double barrel, twelve gauge Can't lock me in your cage
We are emerging from the shadows and making our presence felt to everyone. No one can stop us or contain us
Step aside, we're the cowboys from hell
We are the ones in control and will not let anyone come in our way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Philip Anselmo, Rex Brown, Darrell Abbott, Vincent Abbott
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SGRev1
They came to rock,
And they rocked like no other.
With two hearts twice the size of Texas,
Our beloved brothers,
One drummer, one guitarist,
Companions, mentors, idols, and friends.
We love you Dime,
And we love you too, Vinnie.
Two long lost brothers,
Finally together again.
MOAMAL ALABODE
Lyrics :
Oh, come on!
Under the lights where we stand tall
Nobody touches us at all
Showdown, shootout, spread fear within, without
We're gonna take what's ours to have
Spread the word throughout the land
They say bad guys wear black
We're tagged and can't turn back
You see us comin'
And you all together run for cover
We're taking over this town
Here we come reach for your gun
And you better listen well, my friend, you see
It's been slowed down below
Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales friend
'Cause high noon, your doom
Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell
Pillage the village, trash the scene
But better not take it out on me
'Cause a ghost town is found
Where your city used to be
So out of the darkness and into the light
Sparks fly everywhere in sight
From my double barrel, 12-gauge
Can't lock me in your cage
You see us comin'
And you all together run for cover
We're taking over this town
Here we come reach for your gun
And you better listen well, my friend, you see
It's been slowed down below
Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales friend
'Cause high noon, your doom
Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell
Here we come reach for your gun
And you better listen well, my friend, you see
It's been slowed down below
Aimed at you, we're the cowboys from hell
Deed is done again, we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales friend
'Cause high noon, your doom
Comin' for you we're the cowboys from hell, ahhh
Step aside, we're the cowboys from hell
mvsfan33
@Jim Mulholland Right on. How was he underrated? I think he was Rightly rated. Nobody at the time underestimated Phil although he got a lot of bad press around the time of Trendkill.
but that part was his fault.
I dont think anyone back in the day said Phil was no good. what they did say is that nobody else sounds like him because he basically started it and everyone else is just imitating.
Was that true? Yes, yeah it definately is.
Mabeye at one time he tried to sound like maiden, but everyone since has tried to sound like him.
Curruncho
Pantera - Cowboys From Hell Lyrics:
[Intro]
Oh, come on
[Verse 1]
Under the lights where we stand tall
Nobody touches us at all
Showdown, shootout
Spread fear within, without
I say we're gonna take what's ours to have
Spread the word throughout the land
They say the bad guys wear black
We're tagged and can't turn back
[Pre-Chorus]
You see us coming and you all together run for cover
We're taking over this town
[Chorus]
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well, my friend
You see, it's been slow down below
Aimed at you, we're the Cowboys from Hell
Deed is done, again we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales, friend
'Cause high noon, your doom
Coming for you, we're the Cowboys from Hell
[Verse 2]
Oh, pillage the village, trash the scene
But better not take it out on me
'Cause a ghost town is found
Where your city used to be
So out of the darkness and into the light
Sparks fly everywhere in sight
From my double barrel, 12 gauge
Can't lock me in your cage
[Pre-Chorus]
You see us coming and you all together run for cover
We're taking over this town
[Chorus]
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well, my friend
You see, it's been slow down below
Aimed at you, we're the Cowboys from Hell
Deed is done, again we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales, friend
'Cause high noon, your doom
Coming for you, we're the Cowboys from Hell
[Guitar Solo]
[Chorus]
Here we come, reach for your gun
And you better listen well, my friend
You see, it's been slow down below
Aimed at you, we're the Cowboys from Hell
Deed is done, again we've won
Ain't talking no tall tales, friend
'Cause high noon, your doom
Coming for you, we're the Cowboys from Hell
[Outro]
Step aside for the Cowboys from Hell
SGRev1
They came to rock,
And they rocked like no other.
With two hearts twice the size of Texas,
Our beloved brothers,
One drummer, one guitarist,
Companions, mentors, idols, and friends.
We love you Dime,
And we love you too, Vinnie.
Two long lost brothers,
Finally together again.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Amen brother
Whitney Mosier
I love it!!! That was awesome!
Tugra_us
@Mick McGarnackle no problem man, you gotta give credits to the man who raised the pioneers. A true king himself
Mick McGarnackle
@Tugra_us For real, man, I've scrolled through countless comments sections on the subject in the last few months, and you're one of the few who mentioned Mr. Jerry Abbott. More people need to remember him and the fact that Pantera wouldn't have been possible without the love that he had for his sons. Thank you so much for that. I truly mean that.
Mick McGarnackle
@Tugra_us That's exactly why I'm okay with the Pantera tribute tour with Zakk: Mr. Jerry Abbott deserves to see, at least one last time, that those sons he gave to the world, who gave their lives to the music, created music so timeless and incomparable that it still resonates with so many of us today.
Pantera were the fathers of metal as we know it today, which makes Mr. Jerry Abbott the grandfather of metal as we know it today. Without his parentage and influence and unwavering support, there would have been no Dime & Vinnie, and there would have been no Pantera. We can argue and debate about the legitimacy of the upcoming tribute tour all we want, but one thing we should all agree on is that we owe that man every last ounce of love that we have for Dime & Vinnie and Pantera.
GETCHA PULL! ❤️
Bennie Geustyn
My daughter, Bianca, introduced me to this Pantera song when she was about 15 years old; that was the first time I heard about Pantera, and I am at age 61 still a headbanging fan.
AtlasEmAll
@benniegeustyn5759 I am almost 40 and sometimes I'll headbang to a song like CFH when I'm really digging it. But I have to limit it because I injured my neck. For the longest time, I had a very limited range of motion, like when trying to turn my head to check the blind spots, it was very very difficult. I found a chiropractor and after the first couple of weeks, I had full range of motion in my neck. So I highly recommend finding a chiropractor for any metal heads with a sore neck.
PS: it sounds like Bianca has raised you well 🙂 I totally get the "Just a phase" thing, my sister was like a 1990s version of a hippie when she was a teenager. She wore the flannel and jeans, has peace signs on her bedroom wall, she was really cool. But she eventually grew out of that phase. Now almost 3 decades later, she is happily married with two teenage children of her own.
Josh Elley
Been following pantera since the 90s I'm going on 41 years old music 🎶 don't get old it makes us bold and the.older you get the wiser you are psntera will always live in my pantera heart ♥️ they set the nineties they set MTV ❤️ the way it was and supposed to be yes indeed fuck you nirvana
Harrison Townsend
So you're telling me there was a time when women listened to real, quality music. You can't hardly find those these days. I can't even find one in my state.