Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Artists
  2. Guitarists

Dimebag week: Dimebag's Pantera bandmates and friends choose their favourite Dime moments on record

News
By Stuart Williams ( Total Guitar ) published 2 December 2014

Phil Anselmo, Kerry King, Jerry Cantrell, Scott Ian and more!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Dimebag week: Dimebag's Pantera bandmates and friends choose their favourite Dime moments on record

Dimebag week: Dimebag's Pantera bandmates and friends choose their favourite Dime moments on record

It's been 10 years since Dimebag's tragic death, and to mark the anniversary we'll be posting Dimebag related content every day this week.

Here, we quizzed the guys that knew Dime best on their favourite Dimebag riff or solo. On almost every occasion we were met with a similar response: "Dude, that's a hard f*****g question!", however with a little more digging, we were able to compile this list.

The latest issue of Total Guitar is on sale now, paying tribute to Dimebag Darrell and his profound influence on metal guitar.

It features brand new interviews with Dime's Pantera bandmates (Vinnie Paul Abbott, Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown) and his guitar peers (Zakk Wylde, Scott Ian, Kerry King and more). As well as this, we speak to Dimebag's guitar tech, Grady Champion and Dean Guitars' founder Dean Zelinski to get the low-down on Dime's gear, plus the making of the Dean Razorback.Plus! Learn five essential Dimebag riffs, master Dime's lead techniques

Buy a copy of Total Guitar 261: Dimebag here

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Vinnie Paul Abbott, Pantera, Hell Yeah

Vinnie Paul Abbott, Pantera, Hell Yeah

“One that set the standard and one that no one will ever forget is the riff from Cowboys From Hell. That had everything, it had the swagger and the metal side as well, it had that southern vibe to it, it was everything that we ever were.”

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Phil Anselmo, Pantera/Down

Phil Anselmo, Pantera/Down

“I'll say right off the bat the solo to The Sleep, that was an incredible solo. I could go through the whole catalogue and pick out a million solos. Really though it is an unfair question, you bastard!”

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Rex Brown, Pantera, Kill Devil Hill

Rex Brown, Pantera, Kill Devil Hill

"Far Beyond Driven is when we finally got the bass in the mix [right]. My favourite recording on that session was Planet Caravan. And that was done in 45 minutes. The first lead that he did; literally goosebumps. If you were sitting in that studio…"

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Kerry King, Slayer

Kerry King, Slayer

“When Becoming came out I hated it. I was so naïve that I assumed that the riff had a sample in it, I didn't realise it was him on a pedal. When I realised it was Dime with his pedal that changed everything for me, that is such a monster riff.”

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Scott Ian, Anthrax

Scott Ian, Anthrax

“My favourite thing isn’t even a lead, it’s the voicemail intro on (Anthrax’s) Cadillac Rock Box. The leads are great but that is the really special thing.”

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains

Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains

"I always liked the solo from Cemetery Gates, there’s a lot of vibe in there, but riffs? Jesus, I was obviously a fan of Walk, A New Level, the riff from Cowboys From Hell sounds like a f***ing machine! Walk is simple, butI’m a fan of simple. That one in particular really stuck with me."

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
CATEGORIES
Guitars
Stuart Williams
Stuart Williams
Social Links Navigation
Drums

Stuart has been working for guitar publications since 2008, beginning his career as Reviews Editor for Total Guitar before becoming Editor for six years. During this time, he and the team brought the magazine into the modern age with digital editions, a Youtube channel and the Apple chart-bothering Total Guitar Podcast. Stuart has also served as a freelance writer for Guitar World, Guitarist and MusicRadar reviewing hundreds of products spanning everything from acoustic guitars to valve amps, modelers and plugins. When not spouting his opinions on the best new gear, Stuart has been reminded on many occasions that the 'never meet your heroes' rule is entirely wrong, clocking-up interviews with the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Foo Fighters, Green Day and many, many more.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Latest in Guitarists
Billy Corgan holds his picking hand to his head as he holds a note on his Reverend signature model
Billy Corgan says virtuosic guitar solos mean nothing in the social media age – and argues guitar influencers need to make a bigger impact on popular music
 
 
Chris Buck RS02CB Revstar Signature Electric Guitar in Honey Gold
Guitarist Chris Buck appeals for help to find his stolen Peli cases
 
 
Billie Joe Armstrong performs live at Levi's Stadium during Green Day's Super Bowl LX set – and to his right are a pair of pale blue Marshall 'Dookie' signature amps.
Billie Joe Armstrong debuts new signature ‘Dookie’ Marshall amps during Super Bowl LX show
 
 
Cory Wong in 2026
“Prince told me, ‘You sound so great, man. Keep doing your thing’”: Cory Wong's encounters with The Purple One
 
 
Zakk Wylde [left] plays a lightning blue electric guitar live on the Pantera tribute tour. Randy Rhoads [right] plays his iconic polka-dot V.
“Without Ozzy as a foil, Randy would have never been able to do it": Zakk Wylde's favourite Randy Rhoads solo
 
 
Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir performs at Tons Of Rock 2025
Dimmu Borgir’s Silenoz on playing a guitar inspired by a shark – and why you can be black metal and still love the blues
 
 
Latest in News
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MultiScale
Harley Benton just dropped an 8-string for southpaw players that has a multi-scale fretboard, high-gain humbuckers and offers change from 300 bucks
 
 
Waldorf Protein hands-on rview video
Waldorf Protein hands-on: Four layers, '90s wavetables & MPE in a $399 mini synth
 
 
David Bowie immersive projection in a dark room
“The quality of the material is amazing”: Rare footage of Bowie to be included in new ‘immersive’ show
 
 
j dilla
“Every producer bows down to Dilla, whether they like it or not”: How J Dilla and his MPC changed beatmaking forever
 
 
Britney Spears holds a large yellow snake on stage, 2001 MTV Music Awards
“She’s been celebrating by spending time with her kids”: Britney sells her back catalogue for a rumoured $200 million
 
 
roland
Cherry Audio’s SH-MAX takes on a trio of classic Roland monosynths called upon by everyone from Kraftwerk to Tame Impala
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...