Book review: ‘Reinventing Metal – The True Story of Pantera’ by Neil Daniels

Backbeat Books

Or to give the book it’s full title “Reinventing Metal- The True Story of Pantera and the Tragically Short Life of Dimebag Darrell”. Another in depth and insightful rock biography from the much published Neil Daniels. This time his attention has been turned to highly influential, and much missed, Pantera.

The book  tells the story of a glam rock band that changed direction, and singer, in 1986 and as thrash bands were making their mark were gearing up to change metal by becoming one of the most defining and influential bands of their era. In “Reinventing Metal” Daniels has captured everything from Pantera’s 1981 incarnation, through the highs- and subsequent lows, and the untimely death of the bands much loved guitarist Dimebag Darrell.

Whether it be the 20 million albums sold, the in band tension  or the fact that Pantera can never reform – their legacy still lingers strongly and fans continue to hold the band in high regard. The reasons for this are evident throughout this well written account of the band. Interviews with those close to the band, a foreword from Annihilator’s Jeff Waters and afterword from Metal Blade’s Brian Slagel all weave together to form the kind of story that you would almost expect to form the plot of a film.

The likelihood of finding another band with the same impact in today’s musical climate is slim, which makes a document like this all the more important as the bands story has been told for future generations of music fans to discover.

Review by Nikk Gunns


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

One Response to Book review: ‘Reinventing Metal – The True Story of Pantera’ by Neil Daniels

  1. Pingback: Reinventing Metal Review | Neil Daniels Books

Leave a Reply