We'll grind that axe for a long time... - (Pantera, 2000)
I woke up yesterday morning, December 09, to discover the worst possible news about one of my heroes. Dimebag Darrell, guitarist and songwriter of Pantera and Damageplan, was killed. He was shot five or six times at point blank range - onstage at a Damageplan concert in Ohio.
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Dimebag had formed his new band with brother Vinnie Paul. The two had left the ashes of Pantera and taken on a new challenge of working in a new band - which meant working from the ground up. Anyone who's been in a band knows what I am referring to: it's tough work developing a band, especially when leaving a former outfit as well known as Pantera - but that's besides the point. Dimebag was doing what he loved most: shredding and grinding that guitar like no-one else could.
& someone took that away from him.
Dimebag was a legend - and always will be. In the years following an '80's onslaught of guitarists who tried to showcase their fingers (Malmsteen, Vincent, Van Halen, and others), the man successfully found a balance between showcasing his talent as a lead guitarist AND creating an awesome solo that complements and showcases the song.
Over the 20 years he had been involved in the music industry, Dime had developed a distinct style of guitar playing; and personality. He was clearly open with his fans - and regarded them as friends and family. It was not odd to catch Dimebag sharing some beer with a fan, hanging out and partying with them. To get a glimpse of this, take a look in the booklet from The Great Southern Trendkill CD - he lists a phone number for fans to call to leave messages - he LOVED hearing from them. Or even better: check out their home videos.
Music - and interacting with the people who appreciated and loved his music, was his life.
During my early teenage years, I was pretty much a nothing-nobody-boy, who had no friends and very little confidence. Music was what built me up - and no matter how bad life sucked at one point or another, music seemed to get me through. Yes, I had my KISS CDs and a bit of AC/DC there with a touch of Metallica here... but Pantera was something else.
Pantera had a solid groove of aggression and determination. Each member reinforced the band as a whole: Phil's lyrics and harsh vocals, Vinnie's solid and spine-shattering foundation when pounding on the skins, Rex's signature bass guitar sound that rounded out the Pantera sound... and along with that Dimebag's unique sound and ability on guitar. At the time, there was no other band like them.
Pantera helped build my confidence. Who in their teenage years would not feel more confident after hearing songs like MOUTH FOR WAR, FUCKING HOSTILE or WALK? In those early teenage years, the talents of Darrell, Paul, Rex and Anselmo combined helped shape my self-confidence and self-image when I simply drowned in that music.
It was an attitude behind the music that made it what it was - and is. An attitude that contributed to the amazing reaction I felt - the influence that helped shape my own beliefs and confidence. The music of Dimebag inspired me to be more determined within life and beyond.
Dimebag was a guitarist that could make the guitar wail like no-one else had done before. His style of playing had been previously unheard of at that point - and I have yet to hear anyone comparable in style to this day.
It is still hard for me to believe that this unique talent has been taken away from us. The day of Dimebag's murder was possibly the saddest day in Metal since the passing of Randy Rhoads.
I am glad that the cop shot Nathan Gale, the murderer. This mongrel sod of a cunt had taken away a person of extreme talent that spoke through his music to myself and a generation of other metal heads across the world.
Although he was taken away from his family, friends and fans, Dimebag will be always remembered for his kind-hearted nature, his humor - and how he played that axe.
When he played - and fuck, could he PLAY - he was a pure genius when it came to making that guitar wail.
& the Metal community knows this. Since his death, Dimebag has been the subject of endless tributes from people such as Scott Ian, Paul Stanley, Ozzy Osbourne, Jonathan Davis, and so on. They all loved and respected his talent - the bands he was a fan of, are also fans of his.
We will never forget you - so, Dime, cheers man. Cheers for the music that I still love listening to. I'm sure he's now sharing his weed and whiskey with others where he is - and that he's giving heaven a headache with the solo from HOLLOW.
Dimebag fucking rocks - and I told you so.
RIP
The TrukstoP
Originally and proudly made in Perth, Australia
