10 Guitarists Who Inspired The Sound Of Modern Rock & Metal Music

A legendary guitar player who certainly left his mark on the world of metal. ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott formed Pantera with his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul at the age of just 15 in 1981. The Texans were the son of country musician father, who had a home recording studio and who helped steer his sons early career. Initially fueled by a hard rock style from the likes of Kiss and Van Halen, Pantera made a name for themselves gigging across the state and self-releasing albums such as Metal Magic (1983) and I Am The Night (1985).

But it was 1986 that was a pivotal year in creating what Pantera would become, as thrash metal came to prominence with Metallica releasing Master of Puppets, and Slayer releasing Reign In Blood. Darrell, Vinnie Paul and bassist Rex Brown knew they wanted to move the band in a heavier direction and parted ways with their singer Terry Glaze, replacing him with the hardcore attitude of New Orleans vocalist Phil Anselmo.

Pantera would release their first major label record Cowboys From Hell (1990), and went on to create the popular groove metal sound of the nineties, cementing their place at the top of the tree with the albums A Vulgar Display of Power (1992) and Far Beyond Driven (1994). Dimebag Darrell’s guitar playing was exquisite and his tone legendary. His whammy bar heavy soloing was technically brilliant, and the riffs he created were the heartbeat of Pantera and some of the finest ever recorded.