The two biggest influences on mainstream hard rock in the 90s, IMO: lots of similarities on the first 3 albums (glam metal past not quite concealed, then perfection of the formula, then more abstract / extreme take that results in super success).

But who is the best band?

For myself, it comes down to Dime's guitar playing against Layne's vocals - I remain captive to that voice.

Yourself?

Alice in Chains by a whisker, although I'd choose The Great Southern Trendkill as far as a single album goes.

Pantera, for these record covers.



(and because Alice in Chains suck)

I'd go with the more psychedelic leaning AIC stuff over any Pantera, who were fucking awful. (those covers are funny though)

Who do I prefer? Alice in Chains by a mile. I strongly dislike Pantera.

Sadly, from my perspective, Pantera has seemed to be the more influential band, looking at bands from the past 20 or so years.

I'm going to say Alice in Chains because most of Pantera's songs weren't very good. Dimebag's guitar was higher quality than Layne's yarling, though. Phil Anselmo is an asshole.

As far as Texas goes, Pantera never had shit on Rigor Mortis.

I never liked Pantera's music. Then a friend of friend, whose band opened for Damageplan on a tour, said that if either Abbott brother came onto the tour bus and heard a hip hop or R&B song being played, they'd let a racial slur fly. Yeah, Phil isn't the only shithead that was in Pantera.

Krev wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 2:36 pm I'm going to say Alice in Chains because most of Pantera's songs weren't very good. Dimebag's guitar was higher quality than Layne's yarling, though. Phil Anselmo is an asshole.

As far as Texas goes, Pantera never had shit on Rigor Mortis.

Or Fearless Iranians from Hell. Or Dead Horse.

Alice In Chains had their moments but were mostly limp. Pantera is gimmicky bullshit and Phil Anselmo is a giant piece of shit.

I saw Pantera in 94 or 95 and it was the dumbest fucking group of dumbheads I have ever seen in my life. Pantera is fine I guess, but the people at this show were incredible. I think this was when MOSHING really got to the mainstream and these fuckers were moshing everywhere. Waiting to get a fucking hot dog in line, MOSHING. Waiting to take a piss at the urinal, MOSHING. Two dudes were MOSHING at a pay phone.

biscuitdough wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 3:49 pm

Krev wrote: Fri Mar 11, 2022 2:36 pm I'm going to say Alice in Chains because most of Pantera's songs weren't very good. Dimebag's guitar was higher quality than Layne's yarling, though. Phil Anselmo is an asshole.

As far as Texas goes, Pantera never had shit on Rigor Mortis.

Or Fearless Iranians from Hell. Or Dead Horse.

Alice In Chains had their moments but were mostly limp. Pantera is gimmicky bullshit and Phil Anselmo is a giant piece of shit.

Don't know the former, but Dead Horse ripped. I think Horsecore got a recent reissue.