I was a freshman in high school when my buddy handed me the album. I was skeptical. Pantera didn’t seem like a very “metal” name. But I went home that day and listened to “Vulgar Display of Power” at least 10 times straight through.

I couldn’t get over the crushing assault to the intro of “Mouth for War,” the melodic, eerie wail of “Hollow,” or one of the best riffs ever written in “Walk.” I became an instant fan, and still listen to “Vulgar Display of Power” with no desire to skip a song.

However, when I listen to Pantera nowadays, I can’t help but feel a little different. Almost one year ago on Dec. 8, guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was murdered in cold blood as he took the stage in a Columbus, Ohio nightclub with his new band Damageplan.

Darrell Lance Abbott, better known by his nickname “Dimebag,” was born into a musical family in Texas. He picked up a guitar early and entered statewide competitions. By the age of 16 he was banned from them all because he won too often.

Eventually, he and his brother Vinnie Paul formed Pantera. Over the years, Pantera evolved into a heavy metal juggernaut dominating the metal scene in the ’90s and influencing practically everyone who picked up a guitar or pair of drum sticks.

Pantera’s sound was shaped heavily by Dimebag’s unique guitar style which he called “Power Groove.” His “Power Groove” can be heard in bands today like Shadows Fall, Trivium and Mudvayne, among countless others.

But it was Dimebag’s modesty, generosity and down-to-earth attitude which bound fans to him. Many recall his kindness and gentle spirit. I remember reading an article in Guitar World Magazine. The author was invited into Abbott’s home for an interview. He said “Dime” greeted him like a long lost brother and made him stay the night so they could party. He said he never met someone who treated him so kindly, and this was a man Dimebag didn’t even know.

I asked some NIU students to recall what “Dimebag” Darrell meant to them and metal music.

Caleb Westadt, a junior electrical engineering major, said “Pantera’s music helps me get my aggression out through a musical forum, and Dimebag’s guitar playing rocked and inspired me to explore other types of rock and bands.”

Justin Coda, a senior industrial engineering major, said, “Dimebag Darrell’s amazing musicianship and unmistakeable persona inspired me to begin playing guitar. He has had an astounding influence on bands of every genre and will continue to do so, even in death.”

Mike Celis, a junior political science major, said “The loss of Dimebag Darrell is truly sad. His contributions to metal music are invaluable, and he will forever be remembered; immortalized through his music.”

Dimebag may be gone, but his spirit lives on every time someone blares “Cowboys from Hell,” or dyes their goatee pink, a look only Dimebag could really pull off. I mean, come on. How many other men could get away with having a pink beard and not be considered a sissy?

I know somewhere the ultimate “power group” of rock musicians is playing some amazing metal music. I can hear it now: John Bonham on drums, Cliff Burton on bass, Jimi Hendrix and Randy Rhodes on guitar accompanied by Dimebag, who’s soloing up a storm.

Come Dec. 8 I’m putting on “Vulgar Display of Power” and downing some shots of Black Tooth Grin in Dime’s honor. I know I won’t be the only one.

Columns reflect the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Northern Star staff.