The book begins which a preamble describing the horrible events of the night Dime was murdered. We all know what happened, but not exactly HOW it happened, and the author does a great job of describing the events with edge of your seat tension.
The rest of the book chronicles the rise of Dime/Pantera into the realm of Metal Gods. A couple of thing stood out. Dime was such a gifted player, a veteran of the club circuit at the ripe age of 17, obliterating his competition, some which were years older than him. Second it shows just how honest, unassuming and sincere Dime was in life. Not to mention how down to earth, he and Vinny lived with their mom well after Pantera became a national act, and one of their first acts of generosity was to make sure SHE was taken care of. Vinny and Dime were the perfect Yin/Yang. Dime represented the good time rock and roll, Vinny was the heady business type with very underrated savvy in a cutthroat business.
A great deal of time is spent on the typical 'backstage' antics, but a lot of time is spent on the evolution of the band from a hair metal outfit to the bludgeoning juggernaut that Pantera became,all through it, we get glimpses of Dime's humanity through touching annecdotes that remind us just how special he was as a human being. Dime loved to party, but it never interferred with his true love: guitar shredding, and this theme is repeated throughout the book.
My only criticism was that I would have liked a little more perspective from the "outcast" Phil Anselmo, his take, his thoughts etc...but then the book is about DIME, really, and it's a minor criticism....well worth a read!
- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Da Capo Press (June 2, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0306815249
- ISBN-13: 978-0306815249
- Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
- Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
- Customer Reviews: 68 customer reviews
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Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#138,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #296 in Music History & Criticism (Books)
- #62 in Heavy Metal Music (Books)
- #58 in Heavy Metal Musician Biographies
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