10 Darkest Rock Albums Of The 90s
7. Far Beyond Driven - Pantera
So...where do you go after you release one of the heaviest records of your generation? After making a drastic change in tone to a harsher version of metal on Cowboys From Hell, Pantera virtually hit the ceiling on Vulgar Display of Power, mixing hardcore, metal, and thrash into some of the most aggressive songs that the metal world had ever seen. They weren't just going to rest on their laurels for the follow up. It was time to hook up with Terry Date and unleash hell.
Going into the studio with the intent of being heavier than Vulgar, Far Beyond Driven is one of the most abrasive sounding records of the entire '90s, mixed together with Dimebag Darrell's undeniable groove. As much as people might love the aggression in these songs, tracks like I'm Broken have a backbeat that owes a lot more to a band like ZZ Top than to Metallica.
It never really lets up either, with song after song hitting you like a smack in the face like on 5 Minutes Alone, with Phil Anselmo sounding more and more possessed as the song goes on. By the time we hit the final cover of the Black Sabbath ballad Planet Caravan, you really deserve it. After an experience like this, you'll need something to nurse your wounds.