American heavy metal band formed in Arlington, Texas in 1981. Long-running classic lineup: Phil Anselmo (vocals, joined 1987), Dimebag Darrell (guitar, 1966-2004), Rex Brown (bass), and Vinnie Paul (drums, 1964-2018). Began as a glam-metal band before pivoting to the groove-metal style on Cowboys from Hell (1990) that defined the band and the genre.
Nine studio albums between Metal Magic (1983) and Reinventing the Steel (2000). Commercial peak: Cowboys from Hell (1990), Vulgar Display of Power (1992), and Far Beyond Driven (1994, the heaviest album ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200). Dimebag was murdered by a deranged fan on stage during a Damageplan show in 2004; Vinnie Paul died in 2018 of heart failure. Anselmo and Brown reunited in 2022 with Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums) for ongoing tribute tours.