Mouth for War ~ Good chugging and groove to start off the album. Immediately its a different flavor than Cowboys, but the familiar signature Pantera sound remains. There’s a good rhythm, but there’s nothing memorable about it. The best riff of the song is happening under Dimebag’s solo which is something I fear was lost during the live performances. The pace picks up later in the song, but it does the song an injustice. The strength of the song was in the groove which was thrown out late in the game. Its not the amazing opener I experienced with Cowboys. Its not memorable, but there’s nothing truly bad about it so I can’t knock it too much. TWO stars.
A New Level ~ The slower chugging continues so we know this is album is a different beast than Cowboys. Then the song kicks off into some galloping for the verse, but reverts back to the slower beat and chugs for the chorus. This gives the song a good balance. Vinnie Paul really defines the song which is great for a listener. He keeps everything locked in so it doesn’t get too crazy, which keeps the song on the right track particularly during the odd portions before and after the solo. The solo itself was typical Dime. Good for some ears, but it doesn’t enhance the song much. THREE stars.
Walk ~ The best songs are the simple songs. Walk is a prime example of this. Simple riff, simple beat, simple chorus, awesome song. Vinnie Paul keeps the song going with that solid rhythm. The real gem of the song are Phil’s vocals. There’s a different aggressive feel to his voice than the previous two songs making it memorable. The solo sucks. Some people love Dimebag noodling about making strange sounds, but it really detracts from the song. Walk is very tight and powerful, but the solo is loose and weak. Dimebag is a genius for making such a simple riff sound as powerful as it does, but his solo kept this song from getting the full five stars it could’ve had. FOUR stars.
Fucking Hostile ~ The first true mosh song of the album. By itself, the song isn’t special, but I can see the pit going apeshit if they kick this off in the middle of the set. Everything is high energy, the riff, the beat, the vocals, the solo, everything. The solo isn’t impressive, but it does suit the song very well. The song is kept short, and rightly so, but it doesn’t have much going for it. In the pit, its a great song, but in the bedroom with headphones on, its very lacking. TWO stars.
This Love ~ A nice change of pace with the clean passage in the beginning. Its not particularly good, but its a welcome deviation from the chugging norm. Once the chugging kicks in, Phil’s vocals really make them magical. They are juxtaposed well by the clean riff which is a nice touch that wasn’t captured in Cemetery Gates. A great riff from Dime comes in that really brings this song to life. Then there’s a breakdown! Holy crap, its a good one too. To think Pantera were doing those back in ‘92 is an amazing thought. The solo is very fitting to the song. It has all the Dime flavor all of us (or some of us, rather) love, but it brings melody to match the song. Another breakdown takes place, but they fall into the trap of making it too slow. The outro really sets them back because it goes back to the weak clean riff and adds some squeals. There are some real beautiful parts to this song, but there are some ugly parts too. THREE stars.
Rise ~ Yawn. Some mediocre riffage now. This is another mosh song, but I can’t see much effect it’d have on the pit because of the odd timing and staccato riffs. Phil’s vocals are the worst on the album so far and Vinnie Paul’s drumming is just as mediocre as Dimebag’s riffs. The solo is okay and the underlying heavy bass gives it another element as well, but its not enough to save it. I don’t plan on listening to this song ever again. ONE star.
No Good (Attack the Radical) ~ This song keeps you guessing which can be either good or bad depending on your mood. Its different than the other songs, but has equal parts weakness and strength. For being very sporadic, its contained well. The solo is just another excuse for Dimebag to make a lot of noise. There are some good phrases, but nothing special. The song is just not all that pleasurable to listen to in the end. TWO stars.
Live in a Hole ~ Some good riffing. Dimebag is really making this song special. The vocals offsetting the riff is a nice touch and makes this song stand out. The elements are there to make this song really good, but the pieces just aren’t assembled properly. The song is still good, but the odd structure keeps it from reaching its full potential. I consider this song to be a highlight reel of Dime’s abilities as a guitar player. Plenty of great elements are there, but it doesn’t come together completely. Still, decent. THREE stars.
Regular People (Conceit) ~ The best riffing of the entire album. It immediately captures you and sucks you into the groove. Vinnie Paul balances out the guitar well as only a brother of the guitarist can do. Phil’s vocals are strong and changes enough throughout to keep it fresh. There is depth to this song which much of the album lacks. The solo is a bit noodly for my tastes, but that’s Dime for you. The noise can really bring down the song depending if you like that or not. But, the song is strong enough to be able to brush aside the solo if desired. Solid. FOUR stars.
By Demons Be Driven ~ Very interesting. Going from a chug to a melodic riff is hard to do, but this song meets the challenge. Now, this song isn’t great, but it is definitely memorable. The groove Vinnie Paul lays down brings out the song’s true character. This isn’t the first time Vinnie Paul’s drumming did this for a song and I’m sure it won’t be the last. The solo is just as interesting as the rest of the song so it suits it very well. Its not pleasurable to listen to, but it fits. Overall, decent and intriguing. THREE stars.
Hollow ~ The lamenting ballad. Phil’s vocals are a shining star in this song. With all the screaming aggression I’ve heard in this album, its easy to forget the guy has some good pipes on him. The clean guitar is simple, but lays down the foundation the song needs. Dime’s solo features all the squealy noise that is typical of Dime, but it fits the song which is all we can ask for in a solo. Then the heavy part comes in to retain the “street cred” of the band. Its not bad, its actually quite good, but its nothing special and it takes away from the original sweet despair the song identified with earlier. I would’ve much rather heard them continue with the clean portion and fully explore that. A good song, but not a very good album closer. THREE stars.
The album itself is good. Pantera brought a newer sound to their arsenal and its a welcome change. The change of the vocals is particularly nice to hear. Phil’s shrieks in Cowboys really weighed the album down so it was awesome to not hear a single one on A Vulgar Display of Power. Some songs are shite, but mostly solid. The main problem with this album is the lack of a flagship song that blows away the mind like Cowboys had with the title track. The closest song to that effect would be Walk, but it doesn’t have that wow factor needed to break through the glass ceiling of awesomeness. My favorite song of the album is Regular People because of the great riffage from Dimebag. He proves time and time again that he was to guitar riffs as Mozart was to operas. Due to the solidity of the album, but lack of standout material it gets THREE stars.
