3. Skid Row and Pantera at The Fox Theater, Atlanta GA 1991
1991 was a fantastic year for Metal. Metallica released the fantastic Black Album which changed the musical landscape forever. That year also saw Skid Row release their second, and easily their best, record, 'Slave to the Grind'. Even though it was far heavier than their 1989 debut, it debuted at number one on the Billboard chart in the US. To promote the release, the band toured the globe for a year including a stint supporting Guns 'n' Roses on their gigantic stadium filling, 'Use Your Illusion' world jaunt. When the band came off the 'GnR' shows they went out on their own headlining tour and had decided to take with them a brutal and happening, but little known band from Texas. That support band were called Pantera, and had, the year before, released 'Cowboys From Hell'. This was an early show in the itinerary and the stop at the Fox Theater surprised many people due to the beauty and history of the old picture house. Built in 1929, the ornate building was more used to staging Broadway shows and plays since it's days showing movies. On that late December day, 5000 metalheads were excited to see the Sebastian Bach led Skid Row tear the stage up. Although pretty big news already in their home state of Texas, Pantera were unknowns elsewhere. Such was the ferocity and sharpness of Pantera's set that everyone left a fan and the band sold more merchandise than they ever though they would. Opening with album cut 'Heresy', through the epic 'Cemetery Gates' to set closing bruiser, 'Domination', faces were ripped off. The Skid Row chaps, who were huge fans of 'Cowboys From Hell', watched from side stage every night and knew they had to up their already formidable live show to avoid being blown offstage. It certainly worked, and the headline band were on fire every single night of their headline run. A close friendship continued ever since that night between Bach and guitar prodigy, Dimebag Darrell, until his shocking onstage murder in 2004. Many Rock and Metal fans wish they had managed to catch a stop on this tour featuring two of the finest Heavy Metal bands ever, both at their brilliant best.