The original lead singer of Pantera was Terry Glaze. He was with the band from its formation in 1981 until 1986. During this time, Pantera was more of a glam metal band, and Glaze’s vocals suited that style perfectly.
I remember first hearing Pantera with Glaze on vocals, and I was immediately struck by his talent. His voice had a unique quality to it, and he had a great range and control. It was clear to me that Glaze was a very skilled singer in his own right.
In terms of style, Pantera’s sound with Glaze was definitely more in line with the glam metal scene of the 1980s. They had a more polished and melodic sound, with catchy hooks and sing-along choruses. Glaze’s vocals fit this style perfectly, and he brought a lot of energy and charisma to the stage.
However, as time went on, Pantera started to evolve and move away from the glam metal sound. They began incorporating more aggressive and heavier elements into their music, which ultimately led to their breakthrough as a groove metal band in the early 1990s.
This change in direction also led to a change in the band’s lineup, as Glaze departed Pantera in 1986. He was replaced by Phil Anselmo, who brought a completely different vocal style to the table. Anselmo’s raw and aggressive vocals became a defining characteristic of Pantera’s sound in their later years.
While Glaze may not have been the lead singer during Pantera’s most successful and influential period, his contributions to the band should not be overlooked. He helped shape the band’s early sound and played a crucial role in their development as musicians.
Terry Glaze was the original lead singer of Pantera from their formation in 1981 until 1986. While he may not have been with the band during their most iconic period, his talent and contribution to their early sound should not be forgotten.