American heavy metal band PANTERA released their major-label debut and fifth studio album "Cowboys from Hell" on July 24th, 1990, through Atco Records. The record marked a dramatic reinvention: after four glam-tinged records under different names, vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Dimebag Darrell, bassist Rex Brown, and drummer Vinnie Paul stripped away the makeup and hairspray for a punishing, riff-driven sound that helped define groove metal. Tracks like "Cemetery Gates," "Domination," and the title cut showcased Dimebag's razor-precise riffing and Anselmo's increasingly aggressive delivery. Initial sales were modest, and the album didn't chart until 1992, but "Cowboys from Hell" steadily built a devoted following through relentless touring. It has since been certified double platinum in the United States and is widely regarded as the blueprint for 1990s American metal, directly paving the way for "Vulgar Display of Power" two years later.
