In the past, we’ve featured a couple of Pantera’s albums on GDM. But it would be a huge disservice to ‘I Am The Night’ (and ‘Metal Magic’) if they were to be overlooked.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Pantera
ALBUM: I Am The Night
LABEL: Metal Magic
SERIAL: MMR 1985
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Terry Glaze – vocals * Diamond Darrell – guitar * Rex Rocker – bass * Vinnie Paul – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hot And Heavy * 02 I Am The Night * 03 Onward We Rock * 04 D*G*T*T*M * 05 Daughters Of The Queen * 06 Down Below * 07 Come-On Eyes * 08 Right On The Edge * 09 Valhalla * 10 Forever Tonight
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Pantera Background
In the past, we’ve featured a couple of Pantera’s albums from the 80’s here on GDM. But it would be a huge disservice to ‘I Am the Night’ (and ‘Metal Magic’) if they were to be overlooked.
To this day it seems the remaining members of Pantera have no use for these albums. Most of them barely get a mention in bassist Rex Brown’s recent autobiography. This is a shame because as has been well established in past reviews, these albums are melodic heavy metal masterpieces.
At this point in their fledgling career, the band was based almost exclusively in Arlington, Texas. They were managed by Darrell and Vinnie’s father Jerry Abbott, who produced all the early albums.
The template for these albums was based on Def Leppard type moves mixed with an aggression that would suit them well in the 90’s. But the improvement was clear from record to record. ‘I Am The Night’ was more polished than ‘Projects In The Jungle’ but then again I wouldn’t say it’s better, easily equal though.
This would be the last album for Glaze, who would make way for teenager Phil Anselmo in 1987. It’s a shame Glaze hit the bricks following this. He was a key ingredient in the bands early years even if he did outlive his usefulness for Pantera.
The Songs
This album is one classic after another. It has an enthusiasm and ear for melody that for 1985 is miles ahead of the pack. Take an album like Accept‘s ‘Metal Heart’. Or anything by Motley Crue, Ratt or Dokken in 1985. They can’t compete with Pantera and that’s the honest truth.
The music was certainly getting heavier. Supposedly the band was keeping a close ear on up and coming thrash units like Metallica. But you won’t hear any of that on the opener ‘Hot And Heavy’.
This is straight from the first two albums, a huge raunchy anthem. It has with lyrics like: ‘take a look at my ice cream cone baby. Go ahead take a lick. I can’t wait to get you home and beat you with my stick!’ This shows the Def Leppard influence was still intact, but heavier than those guys..
The title track moves in speed metal circles, with Darrell’s guitar work at the forefront. This one has Judas Priest all over it and was heavier than they were during their ‘Turbo’ era that’s for sure.
‘Onward We Rock’ is a consummate anthem. The galloping riffs giving it a type of Running Wild ‘pirate’ metal vibe. More serious is ‘Daughters Of The Queen’, its sinister melody and riffs lead into a vintage solo from Darrell.
The Marc Ferrari penned ‘Down Below’ makes its first appearance on a Pantera album. As it was revived for ‘Power Metal’ in 1988. This is eminently cruder than the later version. It was however more energetic and a clue as to the increasing ferocity of Pantera. Then again they’d been heavy from the start, contrary to some beliefs.
‘Come On Eyes’ is heavy melodic rock, with a smattering of Kiss. But it pales when stacked up against ‘Right On The Edge’. It does a good job of musically mirroring the title. The chorus is obviously a nod to Accept, but that doesn’t take anything away from it, very intense indeed.
For pure heavy metal ‘Valhalla’ is the grandest statement of the album. There are savage riffs and a total wall of noise complimented by Glaze’s piercing shrieks. This is every bit as heavy as 1985 Slayer or Anthrax.
But in a stunning about face the band ends the album on a powerful AOR note. ‘Forever Tonight’ nothing less than stunning. It’s the total opposite of what preceded it, with the guitar work belonging on a Michael Bolton or Journey album.
The reality that the band were in their late teens and early twenties is nothing short of staggering.
In Summary
This was the end of Pantera’s first chapter. With Phil Anselmo just around the corner, their fortunes would change after years of toil and paying dues.
At this point in their lives, I’d have thought the band might have softened their stance on these albums and actually released them officially. Instead we got the bootleg versions that have become common place over the decades.
Regardless of their shame, this is an album which in a perfect world would be considered essential and a major classic. I think many here know that to be the case already, but there’s no harm in reinforcing that belief further.
Pantera on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
