Too Heavy To Hug #693

Welcome to THTH, Forte’s premier source of all things heavy, hard, fast and metal.
The death of Pantera co-founder and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott on June 22 shook not only the metal world but also the entire music world. Thirteen years after Vinnie witnessed the shooting of his brother, Pantera co-founder and guitarist Dimebag Darrell on stage during a Damageplan show, the brothers have now been reunited in heaven.
Pantera’s influence on heavy metal and music in general is immeasurable and will be forever lasting, and one of the reasons for this is the musicianship, chemistry, mutual respect, love of life and supreme understanding of that heavy groove both Vinnie and Dimebag created; a legacy they can truly call their own.
The second half of Pantera’s career, when Phil Anselmo joined on vocals, is when the band really began to take off with Cowboys From Hell and then every subsequent album until their final album Reinventing The Steel. This part of the band’s catalogue is brimming with sheer musical excitement and excellence, driven predominately by the Aboott brother’s groove and whilst it would be useless to point out tracks that stand over the rest, there are some that focus more on the groove than others. ‘Mouth For War’ is as anthemic as it is groovy and catchy, ‘War Nerve’ is another rolling groove thanks to both Vinnies drums and Dimebag’s guitars weaving amongst each other like two snakes coiled together.
But when the brothers wanted to create the heaviest, tearing and frantic music that just makes you question what you thought was possible with a guitar and set of drums they did with tracks such as ‘Suicide Note Pt. II’, ‘Use My Third Arm’, ‘Strength Beyond Strength’ and ‘Primal Concrete Sledge’.
If you haven’t yet, definitely re-watch all of the Pantera Home Video series for a reminder of how much the brothers loved having fun and, of course, partying hard.
RIP Vinnie Paul – the world has lost yet another amazing person far too early.
In other news
Deafheaven will release their new album Ordinary Corrupt Human Love on Friday July 13.
Machine Head will rock the Forum Theatre on Saturday July 21.
Psycroptic with special guests Archspite and Hadal Maw will be at Max Watts on Sunday August 18.
Satyricon will tear Max Watts to shreds on Thursday September 6.
The Sword will be at Max Watts on Saturday September 8.
Tesseract will play 170 Russell on Friday September 14.
Sumac will release their new album Love In Shadow in Friday September 21.
Dimmu Borgir will headline their first ever Oz tour this October and their Melbourne show will be at 170 Russell on Wednesday October 17.
Parkway Drive, Killswitch Engage and Thy Art Is Murder will play Margaret Court Arena on Friday November 2.
An Evening With Steven Wilson will take place at the Palais Theatre on Saturday November 10.
The Ocean will release their new album Phanerozoic in two parts, the first part to be released in October, and the second part to be released next year. Phanerozoic will pick up off where Precambrian left off some ten years ago.
If you have any news about local metal bands, shows or albums, let THTH know by emailing to [email protected] or get in touch via Twitter at @TooHeavyToHug
Paul S Taylor