10 Bad Debut Albums From Great Bands
1. Metal Magic - Pantera
From the first time most metalheads heard Pantera, they knew they were going to be in for a wild ride. Even to this day, the band's albums like Cowboys From Hell and Vulgar Display of Power hold up as some of the heaviest albums ever to come out of the metal scene. On the other hand, these grizzly offerings are a far cry from where the band got their start in the early 80's.
Before they acquired frontman Phil Anselmo, the band cut their teeth in the Texas club circuit as a glam metal outfit in the vein of Van Halen. Given their determination to become stars, the band's first offering Metal Magic feels like the result of a bunch of kids trying to imitate their heroes. Though guitarist Dimebag Darrell was already showing his chops as one of the greatest guitarists in the metal world, the actual songs and vocals from Terry Glaze seem like lackluster first drafts rather than fleshed-out compositions.
Just a few years down the road, the band would discover acts like Slayer and Metallica and take their music in a much heavier direction. For now though, Metal Magic is the sound of a band trying their hardest to ride the coattails of the glam metal scene.