It has been more than a month now since the death of legendary Pantera/Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrel Abbott. It is still very incomprehensible that such a thing could happen in post September 11th society. What is even more shocking is that this event happened in the Metal communitary. Despite the reputations of the Metal community as a violent one, I have found the truth to be quite the opposite. The music may take about violence, violence my be seen in the mosh pits and it may appear on the surface that hatred dominates this scene. But a deeper delve into the industry would reveal a tight-knit community thriving on comradery. The outcry and shock expressed by the Metal community is evident to anyone that cares to read any quotes from anyone within the Metal community.
To me this death is also disturbing on a personal level because I had seen the band in a small club almost six weeks before the incident. I was right up front. Ironically I was there mainly to see one of my favorite bands, Shadows Fall, but had decided to catch a couple of songs from Damageplan before I had to leave for work. I was impressed, but had to leave for work after only 4 songs. I thought to myself that I would have to see this band play next time they were in town. This is from someone who has been into Metal music for many years but never really got into Pantera at the time. After listening to a couple of Pantera albums recently, it became apparent to me the influence that the band has had on the bands that have emerged in recent years (the last 2 years especially). Unfortunately there will be no next time. But most frightning of all is that this even could have happened right in front of me because the club he was shot in was not much different than the club I saw them in. I don't blame the club, and I don't blame the family of the killer--they have suffered a loss also. We should take a really good look at the fan and he bodyguard that were killed trying to save his life. A fan was shot while trying to help his hero. A bodyguard was called to the ultimate test. He often said he would take a bullet for them and unfortunately he got to prove this. On that day we were all just people who had lost and never will have an answer as to WHY...
Justin
