Pantera Cowboys From Hell (CD Format)

Pantera had made four ’80s-style metal albums before they took a sharp turn toward muscular, bullying thrash on this 1990 breakthrough. Hints of the old tradition are still audible, and “Shattered” suggests Iron Maiden or Judas Priest to the 10th power. And there’s a kegger-ready hard-rock foundation that only makes everything above it punch harder—groove metal starts here, basically. On top, Dimebag Darrell’s shred-crazed solos on monsters like “Domination” and the Metallica-worthy epic “Cemetery Gates” complement Phil Anselmo’s enraged, tonsil-tearing growl to a tee.