For heavy metal and hard rock fans worldwide, the names “Dimebag” Darrell and “Vinnie Paul the Brick Wall” are synonymous with memories of intense grooves and mesmerizing guitar riffs. These aggressive blends of multiple metal genres were the sounds that defined the influential band Pantera.
Founded in 1981 in Arlington, Texas, by the Abbot brothers, Pantera was an underground favorite among southern heavy metal fans. The band originally held its roots within the glam metal genre, blending aspects of glam metal and thrash metal to create a unique sound with a notable stage presence. It was not until 1990 when the band’s breakthrough album “Cowboys from Hell” was released, popularizing the groove metal genre with national acclaim. This and their 1992 follow-up album, “Vulgar Displays of Power,” solidified Pantera as pioneers within groove metal, with hits such as “Walk” and “Cowboys from Hell” influencing today’s hard rock music.
“Dimebag” Darrell Lance Abbott was the lead guitarist and founder of the band and is commonly known as one of the most influential guitar players of all time. His brother, Vincent Paul Abbott, was the drummer and co-founder of Pantera, becoming equally influential towards drummers of other rock bands. In 2003, the brothers disbanded Pantera following creative disputes with Phil Anselmo, the lead singer of the group. Following this, Dimebag and Vinnie formed Damageplan, continuing their unique sound with their album “New Found Power” and hit single “Save Me.”
On December 8, 2004, while on tour in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag Darrell was murdered onstage along with 3 others by a deranged fan. His last words were “Van Halen,” a mantra used by he and his brother as encouragement before performances.
Eddie Van Halen was a major influence on the brothers and their musical style. A few weeks before his death, Dimebag met Van Halen and asked for a replica of his “Bumblebee” guitar, an instrument featured on the back cover of the album “Van Halen II.” Instead, Van Halen brought the original guitar featured on the cover to Dimebag’s funeral. There, he is quoted as saying, “Dime was an original and only an original deserves the original.” The guitar is buried alongside Dimebag within a casket donated by Gene Simmons, decorated with logos and imagery from the band Kiss. The casket was donated by Gene Simmons, the bassist of Kiss. Dimebag’s funeral was attended by multiple notable musicians, including Eddie Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Corey Taylor, Jerry Cantrell, and Dino Cazares.
Following a hiatus due to Dimebag’s death, Vinnie Paul joined the heavy metal supergroup Hellyeah to continue performing influential heavy metal for audiences around the world. He performed with the group up until his death on June 22, 2018. Multiple music groups within the heavy metal and classic rock communities paid tribute to Vinnie Paul following his death, mourning the impact he and his brother made on the music world.
The Abbott brothers are each buried in their own “Kiss Kasket” at the gardens alongside their mother, Carolyn Abbott. The clinking of dimes and guitar picks placed by mourners at the grave stones are quiet memories of the heavy music these brothers used to make.