Rebel Meets Rebel - Rebel Meets Rebel

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On the 24th anniversary of John Lennon's death, guitar hero "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was shot 5 times and killed onstage. He was a member of Damageplan, but he was best-known as a member of Pantera, one of the more talented rock bands of the 90's.

Sometime during the breakup of Pantera and the first Damageplan album, 3/4's of Pantera teamed up with outlaw country singer David Allen Coe to create a country/metal fusion album. The lineup consisted of Dimebag (guitar), his brother Vinnie (drums), and Rex Brown (bass) with Coe doing vocals.

Appropiatly, they titled the project "Rebel Meets Rebel". Though initially the combination may sound a little suprising, one can see the similiarities between the artists. Both share a penchant for drinking and possess tough guy, "outlaw" images. Both share cultural and geographic backgrounds - coming from the South, reffering to themselves as outlaws or cowboys. Pantera's signature song is called "Cowboys from Hell" (that's what the CFH on this album cover stands for) while David Allan Coe pioneered the "outlaw" country style.

Now, about a year and a half after Dimebag's death and over 5 years after recording began, the project has finally been released on Vinnie Paul's Big Vin Records. This may smack some as exploitation as it is the only album released so far on the label (the only other product is a DVD called "Dimevisions, Vol. 1" which focus on Dimebag Darrell). However, it seems that these supsiciouns are rather unfounded - it appears as though Dimebag would have liked to have seen this album released and it was in a state he would have wanted it to be (keep in mind that he died a year after they had finished recording).

The album opens up with "Nothin' to Lose", containing a suprisingly funk-metal-ish vibe, with a popping bass. The oddball country/metal touches aren't suprising - check the fiddle solo on the title track (yes, the song, album, and artist are called "Rebel Meets Rebel") - sure, it's weird to have fiddling in metal but that is expected in this kind of a fusion album. The unexpected turns are stuff like the funk touches or the piano or the acoustic 30 second instrumental "Panfilo".

The whole drinking, we're-from-Texas, eagles-and-confederate-flags, redneck-y vibe can be a little tiresome. For some, it may be part of the whole charm, but to me, it's a tad overdone. Both Coe and Pantera, and more generally metal and country, have a tendency to go with the drinking/partying/outlawing themes, and it's definitely still prevalent here.

The lyrics (entirely written by Coe, Dimebag & Vinnie wrote all the music) get a little tired and immature, especially on songs like "Cowboys Do More Dope" ("Country music stars like to catch a buzz / They like to smoke alotta weed...Cowboys do more dope than rock and rollers!" Um, yeah. Whatever.) There's a few breaks from the genre cliches, including the somewhat confusing "Cherokee Cry", where Coe sings "Get off our sacred grounds, won't you leave the dead alone? / Let the eagle fly and the buffalo roam, and give us back our homes!". As far as I know, none of the band members are Cherokees of any sort (but I could be wrong) and they don't intend to give up their lands to any Cherokees any time soon. On the other hand, the subject matter is a lot more substantial, which is a welcome break.

Coe's voice is distinctive but it may be tough for Pantera fans to get used to (although the vocals have a tendency to grow on you). Fans of Coe's work will probably find it even tougher to adjust to the abrasive musical attack. Rex Brown delivers some of his better moments while Vinnie Paul has a pretty tight performance. But the real star here, of course, is Dimebag. Fans of Pantera (and metal in general) will no doubt, if nothing else, appreciate Dimebag's strong riffing and distinctive sound. His solo on "Get Outta My Life" (featuring Hank Williams III) is what air guitars were made for.

This album is a rather bold experiment, and it works as an album a bunch of guys would get together and drink beer to. Pantera fans should take a listen before buying, and David Allan Coe fans should be especially cautious. However, it is a must for Dimebag completists.

"Rebel Meets Rebel" is likely (barring the release of demos from the incomplete second Damageplan album, something Vinnie has discussed doing) the last we will hear from Dimebag Darrell's guitar. Which is a damn shame. Dimebag was a very talented muscian, and, more importantly, we have heard time and time again how much of a good man he was. Riff in peace, brother Dime.

-Luis