Rebel Meets Rebel / David Allan Coe Meets Pantera
If you are somewhat a "Metal head" or are aware of popular heavier music, then you are aware of the band Pantera. Now, if you like country music then the chances are decent that you know of David Allan Coe. If that is not enough, then this is a project that the late "Dimebag" Darrell played on. Alright, now country with metal, mix the two together and it is a solid album for fans of either and helped to further expand and perhaps show how Country Metal is done. While the album, project, or possibly band? Only released one album. It is an album that stands out for various reasons. The lineup on the album is:
David Allan Coe - (Vocals & rhythm guitar)
Darrell Lance Abbott "Dimebag Darrell" (R.I.P.) - (Lead guitar & backing vocals)
Vinnie Paul Abbott - (Drums & commentary in the "Nothin' To Lose" video)
Rex Brown - (Bass)
Joey Floyd (Fiddle)
Rex Mauney (Keyboards)
Hank Williams III (vocals on "Get Outta My Life")
What follows is my take on the album, but listen for yourself and make your own determinations.
1. "Nothin' to Lose" - The album kicks off thrashing and heavy with a strong song and perhaps my second favorite. The track appears to be told from the point of view of Mr. Coe as the video suggests as well. (Interestingly, Mr. Coe states that he played Blues before and that might influence the songs as well.) The album begins with ladies moaning, "Dimebag" starting up his thrashing, and some funky bass from Mr. Brown; you know that this album is going to kick ass. The song mixes thrash and some funky parts with trademark "Dimebag" solos kicking in at 2:27 with "dive bombs" to separate the two, the song is like a stout shot of whiskey or moonshine that is made up of country lyrics about relationship and loss but is structured as a thrash song with breakdown transitions. There is a video for this song as well. It appears that the album wanted to cement the idea of this being a Metal work with this song being the opener.
2. "Rebel Meets Rebel" - Now here is where the album dives more into the basic elements of country and because of the differing mix is perhaps my favorite song of the work. One of the standout parts of this track is the fiddle solo by Joey Floyd at 2:45 (but it could be debated that it began at 2:07 where the actual violin part changed) which is very akin to what Charlie Daniels could do and others of his caliber on the instrument. Following that is (what appears to be an organ sound coming from Rex Mauney's keyboard) this organ sound is used by bands like Clutch as well; because of this, the song or album itself could have hints of Blues. This song has no lengthy guitar solos that are evident. The track is structured as a country song in style and tempo, but played with Metal settings. This could be though of as the project's theme song and also divulges some of the past or insight into how or why the album came to be. This song being heavy but not as "Thrashing" as the previous.
3. "Cowboys Do More Dope" - With an intro that has audience talking and a clink of a glass, it appears evident that the atmosphere the band is wants to create is a band playing in a "Honky Tonk" or a Southern bar. A piano is the first instrument to present itself with nice phrasing from Mr. Mauney and his keyboard? Then the metal kicks in; almost as if they are making sure you do not forget the album is primarily a metal one. Outright some of the first lyrics heard include the words, "Country Music," one thing that this album is, is not subtle. From one's knowledge of events with Willie Nelson and songs by Hank Williams II, the lyrics do seem valid in that Country Music (or almost all of society) deals with marijuana in one way or another. However some country musicians are very "marijuana friendly." As to if they "Do more dope than Rock 'n' Rollers" that is a matter of opinion. "Dimebag" comes through with one of the best solos on the album at 2:44. He sure could make the guitar scream and squeal. Followed by that is a groovy funky bass part and a piano closes out the section. Another solo at 3:44 and some nifty ride work from the drums, for the most part the drums are fairly steady in the songs with the occasional snare strikes to change tempo. Vinnie is a solid drummer. Before the final piano strike Mr. Coe leaves us with words to live by: "Don't take the purple acid."
4. "Panfilo" - Here is a brief acoustic instrumental by "Dimebag" this may have been a filler song? Still a nice track though. The word pánfilo can mean gullible in Spanish.
5. "Heart Worn Highway" - What begins with a soulful "Dimebag" solo then becomes a great song riddled with tasty guitar solos and renegade-esque lyrics or "a wandering man's anthem type of song." This album tries to "hammer in" the idea that the band is comprised of outlaws and appeals to the "rougher tougher" type of Country music. What could be considered "Biker Country?" At the end there are snare rolls and almost Western feeling guitars to close out the song. Perhaps this one is in more of a "Country & Western" vein than the others. This song has Mr. Coe do some yelling a bit.
6. "One Nite Stands" - The intro sounds is played backwards (somewhat like, 2 Ton Predator's - "Bone Brigade," if you like Pantera you will like this band.) Here is your promiscuous country song about free love, etc. The structure of the song is reminiscent to Rock 'n' roll like Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" but this is heavier and has the flavor along with the subtleties that this outlaw band can deliver. 1:12 there is a "classic rock n roll" solo (in "Dimebag" fashion" and then the transition that the song began with this helps to capture the listener's attention. As the previous Mr. Coe does some yelling. A more straightforward song in the structure than the previous I would say.
7. "Arizona Rivers" - Much like the previous song "Panfilo" this one is a rather brief country or almost "folky" kind of song. There is the instrument or sound of rubber bands such as those that can be heard in Appalachian music from instruments called "Jew Harps" or "Jaw Harps." This is a new addition to the non traditional metal instruments and what can make the song stand out.
8. "Get Outta My Life" (feat. Hank Williams III) - One can say that this song is the most "Pantera-ish" in the intro. Perhaps to the extent that one could swap in Phil Anselmo and it would not be too noticeable that it wasn't? Hank III does some screams and his vocals provide a new depth from the previous songs. 2:17 marks where Vinnie Paul begins a segment that can almost feel as a drum solo and then "Dimebag" kicks into a solo, this transition is interesting and different.
9. "Cherokee Cry" - This song appears to be more Pantera-ish like the one before. As to how much Cherokee blood Mr. Coe might have, is unknown to me currently, but there are multiple traditional songs called "Cherokee Cry" that can be found on YouTube. "Dimebag" solo at 2:05. The different thing about this song is the segment at 2:25 with actual Cherokee Native American cries and it appears Mr. Paul mimics Native American tribal drums here by beating his toms as he did during the other parts of the track, then he does a quick fill to transition. Additionally, he ends the song with some subtle drums.
10. "Time" - As the previous two, the album is in a very "Pantera-esque" section. This song is no different. However, the lyrics are not of a country nature but arguably more of a rock, metal, almost progressive nature in its talk of aliens and other topics that are not typical in country music? It appears that in his later years Mr. Coe has come to the conclusion that "Time is something you can't steal." The band Damageplan with "Dimebag" and Vinnie Paul has a song called "Explode" any coincidence with the overuse of the lyric "explode?" Perhaps. Another thing that led me to believe this is that the song outright mentions "Cowboys From Hell" as well. The song uses "Dimebag's" "dive bombs" on guitar perhaps more than others on the album. The solo of the song is at 2:30 it is launched by what appears to be Mr. Coe's yell?
11. "No Compromise" - As is evident this song has a strong Pantera feel and with the intro it appears that the band had been holding back and with this song they channel Pantera the most perhaps, or perhaps exert themselves more? It appears to be most evident with the drums as they have a more constant double bass and punk snare beats to them example of that at 1:00. At 2:04 there is a more light country-ish guitar part and then "Dimebag" makes the guitar squeal more than any other song on the album repeatedly. He does this for two passages, brings the heavy "guitar chugs" and then ultimately ends that way.
12. "N.Y.C. Streets" - The song begins with commentary and then turns into an acoustic song. During the song Mr. Coe appears to retell a visit to New York City and mentions The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, Iron Maiden, and Motörhead. "Dimebag" Darrell and Pantera are referenced various times along with Pumpjack (a band that Dimebag had connections to.) This piece is very similar to tracks 4 and 7. This closes out the album with what appears to be a vehicle wrecking?
In the end, this album makes you want to bang your head and stomp your feet or stomp some heads and bang your feet, either way I would recommend this album to any fan of country or metal. For that matter, anyone interested in Pantera or "Dimebag" Darrell's projects should give this album a good listen. The fact that this is a hybrid or crossover album of thrash or Metal and Country & Western, etc. makes this a unique album. The various traditional instruments that can be found in the differing songs makes each worthy of a listen for many reasons but my guess is that the unlikely pairing of the styles will create a sense of curiosity. However, this album delivers on either spectrum the country is played well along with the metal (which should not come as a surprise as the band is Pantera with "Dimebag" Darrell minus Phil Anselmo. The album manages to stay true to what it was intending, while sounding rather fresh with the differing insutruments in the various songs. And while David Allan Coe is a controversial country musician who has been known to ride his harley into a show and curse at the audience and has been associated with: Grand Funk Railroad (perhaps where he first toured with a band in the Rock genre), Billie Jo Spears, George Jones, Jessi Colter, Johnny Paycheck, Steve Goodman, Tammy Wynette, Tonya Tucker, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, etc. He does have some similarities to Phil Anselmo who was recently called out by Machine Head's vocalist and guitarist, Rob Flynn. But, that did not affect the album, as it did not delve into obscene racism, etc.
(The pictures used were taken from the internet. The links to them can be provided if need be.)