The styles they played in this era were firstly a hard glam rock style similar to Van Halen and Kiss, then a more tougher glam metal style similar to Motley Crue and Dokken then on "Power Metal" an early 80's Judas Priest style of traditional metal.
The first 3 records include original singer Terry "Glaze" Lee along with all time members "Diamond" Darrell Abbott (Dimebag) (Guitar), Rex "Rocker"Brown (Bass) and Vinnie Paul Abbott(Drums). "Power Metal" was where they first recruited Phil Anselmo who was frontman until the band's demise in the 2000's following Dimebag's murder.
All 4 records were released on their independent label Metal Magic records which was ran by the Abbott brothers' father in Texas, USA.
Valhalla
Pantera (80s) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
where every man who falls
in battle surely will go
and in this place
lives a God
who is their Lord
one of knowledge
who surely knows
Eyes are burning brightly
shining on into the night
heads are falling
valkyries calling
back the men to fight
for The Terrifier
Magic Mystifier
preparation for victory
Mighty Oh! VALHALLA
they're coming Home
to VALHALLA
Each day the valiant
armies of the past
would fight outside the hall
then in the evening
the vanquished would rise up
with the victors
and feast one and all
Written on the runes
the many tales of men of old
ancient kings who ruled the land
a thousand years ago
prayed to The Terrifier
Magic Mystifier
for knowledge and Victory
Mighty Oh! VALHALLA
they're coming home to VALHALLA
Come the final battle
Odinn charges on his steed
Fenrir's foe is thrusting home
but it was not to be
now The Terrifier
Magic Mystifier
Vanquished but he will live on
Mighty Oh! In VALHALLA
He's living on In VALHALLA
VALHALLA!
The song "Valhalla" by Pantera is about the Norse mythological concept of Valhalla. The song begins by describing Valhalla as a place where fallen warriors go after they die in battle. A God, who is referred to as "The Terrifier" or "Magic Mystifier" is worshipped by these warriors in Valhalla and is known for possessing vast knowledge. The song then describes the valkyries who call back the fallen warriors to fight again, preparing them for victory.
The second verse describes the daily routine in Valhalla. The armies of the past fight outside the hall and in the evening, the vanquished rise up with the victors to feast. The runes which are inscriptions on stones or other objects that were used by the Vikings for writing, are described as having written the tales of men of old and the ancient kings who ruled the land a thousand years ago. Again, The Terrifier is praised for knowledge and victory.
Finally, in the last verse, the song describes the final battle in which Odin charges on his steed and Fenrir, a wolf in Norse mythology, is defeated. The Terrifier is said to have been vanquished but will live on. The song concludes with the repetition of the word VALHALLA and many of the fallen warriors continue to live on in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a place
Describing a specific location
where every man who falls
All men who perish
in battle surely will go
Will find themselves in this place
and in this place
In that specific location
lives a God
Resides a divine being
who is their Lord
Their reigning master
one of knowledge
An all-knowing entity
who surely knows
With certainty holds wisdom
Eyes are burning brightly
Intensely luminous eyes
shining on into the night
Illuminating the darkness
heads are falling
Heads of men drop
valkyries calling
Valkyries summoning
back the men to fight
Returning soldiers to battle
for The Terrifier
In the service of a feared entity
Magic Mystifier
Mysterious supernatural power
preparation for victory
Arrangements for a triumph
Mighty Oh! VALHALLA
Powerful and magnificent Valhalla
they're coming Home
Returning to the place of their origins
to VALHALLA
To the great hall of the slain
Each day the valiant
Every day, the brave
armies of the past
Historical military forces
would fight outside the hall
Battle occurring beyond the hall
then in the evening
Later in the day
the vanquished would rise up
The defeated would ascend
with the victors
Alongside the winners
and feast one and all
Feasting together
Written on the runes
Inscribed on ancient lettering
the many tales of men of old
The stories of ancient men
ancient kings who ruled the land
The former rulers of the territory
a thousand years ago
A millennium in the past
prayed to The Terrifier
Offered their appeals to the feared entity
Magic Mystifier
Mysterious supernatural power
for knowledge and Victory
To acquire wisdom and triumph
Mighty Oh! VALHALLA
Powerful and magnificent Valhalla
they're coming home
Returning to their abode
to VALHALLA
To the great hall of the slain
Come the final battle
When the ultimate fight arrives
Odinn charges on his steed
Odin rides valiantly
Fenrir's foe is thrusting home
Fenrir's adversary plunges forward
but it was not to be
But the result was not as expected
now The Terrifier
Still the feared entity
Magic Mystifier
Mysterious supernatural power
Vanquished but he will live on
Conquered but still existing
Mighty Oh! In VALHALLA
Powerful and magnificent in Valhalla
He's living on In VALHALLA
Existing in the great hall of the slain
VALHALLA!
Valhalla!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BigSCTVfan
I Am The Night is one of Pantera's best albums, period.
sean bickford
I'm gonna say it's in their best 3 albums. The other two being Power Metal and of course Cowboys from Hell.
Michael Scott
@twoo57 totally agree with you - Power Metal was their best LP PERIOD IMO
assasinbassin comerford
Fuck ya love the speed and thrash
..
Josh Tyler
Ngl, it’s probably my favorite Pantera album. I like the 90s stuff, but this is where it’s at for me.
beers baron
this was glamteras best. power metal was the bridge of lead singers that changed it all.
Kaseb Mohamed
This is so heavy!!! The roots of 90s Pantera are clearly audible, this sounds really nothing like glam contrary to what many people think!
MAD Q
Speed metal
Scott Tommasulo
This is by far my most favorite of the four early albums. And the solo on this track is insane!
Strix aluco
Dimebag was a solid guitar player even in his early teens