Having started as a glam metal band, Pantera released three albums in the mid-1980s with lead vocalist Terry Glaze (Metal Magic, Projects in the Jungle, and I Am the Night), with little success. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera recruited Anselmo in 1986 and released Power Metal in 1988. They secured a record deal with major label Atco the following year. Their fifth album (which the band has since declared to be their official debut album), 1990's Cowboys from Hell, popularized the groove metal genre, while its 1992 follow-up Vulgar Display of Power achieved an even heavier sound and increased their popularity. The subsequent album Far Beyond Driven (1994) then debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Tensions began to surface among the band members when Anselmo became addicted to heroin in 1995; he almost died from an overdose in 1996. These tensions resulted in the recording sessions for The Great Southern Trendkill (1996) being held separately. The ongoing tension lasted for another seven years, during which only one studio album, Reinventing the Steel (2000), was recorded. Pantera went on hiatus in 2001 but lingering disputes led to the band breaking up in 2003. The Abbott brothers went on to form Damageplan while Anselmo continued to work on several side projects, including Down, which Brown joined as well.
On December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage by a mentally unstable fan during a Damageplan concert in Columbus, Ohio. Vinnie Paul went on to form Hellyeah after his brother's death, and died of heart failure in 2018, leaving Brown and Anselmo as the only surviving members of the band's best-known lineup. In July 2022, it was announced that Brown and Anselmo were reuniting in 2023 for Pantera's first tour in 22 years, with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante filling in for the Abbott brothers on guitar and drums, respectively. The new lineup played its first show in 21 years at the Hell and Heaven festival in Mexico on December 2, 2022.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantera
Studio albums
Metal Magic (1983)
Projects in the Jungle (1984)
I Am the Night (1985)
Power Metal (1988)
Cowboys from Hell (1990)
Vulgar Display of Power (1992)
Far Beyond Driven (1994)
The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)
Reinventing the Steel (2000)
Heavy Metal Rules
Pantera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too many rules if you wanna play the game
Don't do this, don't do that
Your mom and dad, they know where it's at
I'll show 'em all, a thing or two
I found a game I know how to do
Put on your leather, snap on your spikes
Me and the boys are hot rockin' tonight
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
It's the same corruption, everywhere I look
There's a brand new rule inside a brand new book
Some people claim that the devil is loose
They blame it all on the rock 'n' roll youth
That don't stop me, I'm on a roll
I found the noise, bangin' my soul
So take it up, loud as you can
There's just one rule that I understand
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
The lyrics of Pantera's song Heavy Metal Rules is a tribute to the heavy metal culture that has been under scrutiny for many years. The song is a reflection of the band's rebellious spirit and disdain towards societal norms and rules imposed on the youth. The first verse highlights the oppressive nature of rules and regulations enforced on the youth by parents and authority figures. The singer of the song rebels against these rules and takes solace in the heavy metal culture.
The second verse highlights the perception surrounding heavy metal music and its association with the devil. Despite this, the singer continues to embrace this genre of music and takes pride in being a member of its community. The chorus of the song emphasizes the power heavy metal has in providing an outlet for rebellion and expression. The idea of sticking one's fist high in the air and making a sign signifies a sense of camaraderie and solidarity amongst fans.
Overall, the lyrics of Heavy Metal Rules encapsulate the essence of heavy metal culture and the need to break free from societal conformity. It is an anthem for the rebellious youth who turn to this genre of music for a sense of belonging and expression.
Line by Line Meaning
All my life, it's been the same
Throughout my entire life, I have been facing this constant and unchanging situation
Too many rules if you wanna play the game
There are an excessive number of regulations one must adhere to if they want to partake in the activity
Don't do this, don't do that
There is a long list of things one must avoid doing
Your mom and dad, they know where it's at
The older generation has a lot of knowledge and experience that they can share with us
I'll show 'em all, a thing or two
I am going to prove them wrong by demonstrating my skills and knowledge
I found a game I know how to do
I've discovered an activity that I am skilled at and know how to perform
Put on your leather, snap on your spikes
Get ready for the activity by putting on the appropriate attire and accessories
Me and the boys are hot rockin' tonight
My group of male friends and I are excited to fully enjoy this event
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I will raise my fist high up in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
I'll make a hand gesture to express my feelings despite any disapproving looks
Heavy Metal Rules!
The heavy metal culture and lifestyle dominate - all other rules and norms are irrelevant in comparison
It's the same corruption, everywhere I look
In every place I look, the corruption remains the same
There's a brand new rule inside a brand new book
There's always a new regulation to follow that is written in a newly published book
Some people claim that the devil is loose
Certain individuals believe that the devil is out there causing trouble
They blame it all on the rock 'n' roll youth
These people put the blame on the rock and roll culture and its young fans for any negative issue that arise
That don't stop me, I'm on a roll
However, this doesn't cease my excitement and urge to participate in this culture
I found the noise, bangin' my soul
I have found that the sounds and atmosphere of the heavy metal culture really speaks to my soul
So take it up, loud as you can
Let's turn up the music as loud as possible
There's just one rule that I understand
In my mind, there is only one rule that truly matters
Contributed by Gabriel G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sum1special
All my life, it's been the same
Too many rules if you wanna play the game
Don't do this, don't do that
Your mom and dad, they know where it's at
I'll show 'em all, a thing or two
I found a game I know how to do
Put on your leather, snap on your spikes
Me and the boys are hot rockin' tonight
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
It's the same corruption, everywhere I look
There's a brand new rule inside a brand new book
Some people claim that the devil is loose
They blame it all on the rock 'n' roll youth
That don't stop me, I'm on a roll
I found the noise, bangin' my soul
So crank it up, loud as you can
There's just one rule that I understand
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
Не Рагуль
All my life, it's been the same
Too many rules if you wanna play the game
Don't do this, don't do that
Your mom and dad, they know where it's at
I'll show 'em all, a thing or two
I found a game I know how to do
Put on your leather, snap on your spikes
Me and the boys are hot rockin' tonight
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
It's the same corruption, everywhere I look
There's a brand new rule inside a brand new book
Some people claim that the devil is loose
They blame it all on the rock 'n' roll youth
That don't stop me, I'm on a roll
I found the noise, bangin' my soul
So take it up, loud as you can
There's just one rule that I understand
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
Shpadoinkle
Could care less who it sounds like, i just know i like this era of the band alot. The first 4 albums really need reissues!
Migg
@Malte Micha This will always be a great era of a great band. They took themselves too seriously with that tough guy bullshit. The fact that they are embarrassed of this album makes me take them even less seriously.
qwert
They wasn't glam in that period. Pure heavy metal.
Tim Brown
@Malte Micha They didn't "get rid of the singer", Terry quit.
Malte Micha
@ellisdtrails420 The reunion tour is only a limited tour! The older albums will not be re released as I was informed due to the insignificance of the recordings. 1983-86 is a dead era for the band.
ellisdtrails420
@Malte Micha I mean, They're "reuniting" so who knows
powergroover19
I fell in love with Pantera when Cowboys from hell came out, but at the time I was still into glam and had no clue that they had several albums that I believe is way better than most of the popular L.A. bands that I was listening to. Reading Rex Brown's autobiography really makes you appreciate the musicality of their early stuff. Love Pantera! R.I.P Abbott brothers. Together again!
Scott Ricci
@Godzilla Simpson rexaholic
Godzilla Simpson
Rex said lots of shit about everyone
sum1special
All my life, it's been the same
Too many rules if you wanna play the game
Don't do this, don't do that
Your mom and dad, they know where it's at
I'll show 'em all, a thing or two
I found a game I know how to do
Put on your leather, snap on your spikes
Me and the boys are hot rockin' tonight
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!
It's the same corruption, everywhere I look
There's a brand new rule inside a brand new book
Some people claim that the devil is loose
They blame it all on the rock 'n' roll youth
That don't stop me, I'm on a roll
I found the noise, bangin' my soul
So crank it up, loud as you can
There's just one rule that I understand
I'll stick my fist, high in the air
I'll make a sign, 'cause I don't care
Heavy Metal Rules!