At an early hour, just as dawn broke at 5:30 AM, I was jolted awake by a phone call that shattered the quiet.
It was Dimebag Darrell on the line, urgently seeking help.
The band was in the thick of mastering their album, and Dime had just realized he needed to re-record an essential part before the clock ran out.
Identifying the Problem
When Dime initially laid down the outro for Pantera’s legendary piece, “Floods,” he faced a dissonance issue—the segment wasn’t quite in tune.
It wasn’t until they neared the submission deadline that he identified the problem.
This crucial outro features not only a hauntingly beautiful guitar solo but also an enchanting a cappella arrangement set against a richly layered sonic backdrop.
Fans have come to recognize this outro as a powerful moment, especially during live performances when Zakk Wylde pays tribute to his dear friend Dime at the Pantera Celebration concerts.
The audience doesn’t just respond to the music; they are deeply touched by heartfelt video tributes celebrating the Abbott brothers, Dime and Vinnie.
The Race Against Time
Instrumentally, the outro showcases what Dime fondly labeled “the Police chord,” inspired by the signature chord shape Andy Summers used in *Message in a Bottle*.
This distinctive choice adds a sonic quality that stands apart from the track as a whole, enriching its texture and personality.
I was in the midst of wrapping up a late-night piece for *Guitar World*, focusing on Dime’s return to the music scene, when his call interrupted my concentration.
Initially irked at the disturbance, my annoyance quickly vanished once I heard Dime’s unmistakable enthusiasm.
He apologized for the early wake-up and explained his predicament: while in New York for the album mastering, he had to have a Les Paul and a Korg G3 multieffects pedal delivered by 9 AM.
Having forgotten his gear, the clock was ticking, and his creativity needed to flow unhindered.
Although I was a left-handed guitarist with no access to the right equipment, I soon found a solution.
After a few quick calls, I reached out to Steve Pisani at Sam Ash Music.
Despite the ungodly hour, Steve offered his support and managed to have a perfectly set-up guitar and the Korg G3 delivered to the studio just in time.
Capturing the Moment
Reflecting on that chaotic morning a few days later, Dime chuckled about how everything unfolded.
He recounted how, while burning the midnight oil in the studio, he recorded the outro of “Floods” in a single, spontaneous take—only to discover that the guitar was slightly out of tune.
Dime noticed the mistake right away and planned to fix it later, but that intention slipped his mind in the whirlwind of recording.
As the deadline loomed, the reality hit him hard—he couldn’t let that imperfect section remain in the mix.
Understanding the urgency, he rallied his creativity in a race against time.
Despite the pressures from the label, he was adamant about re-recording the outro.
Quick arrangements were made to obtain the necessary gear, and with relentless determination, he secured another room for a swift recording session, undeterred by the label’s growing anxiety over the looming deadline.
Dime faced the label representative, assuring him that capturing this moment was essential, even if it deviated from the conventional approach.
Embracing his unique “Pantera way,” he entered the creative space, where inspiration and spontaneity reigned supreme.
After calming his nerves with a drink or two, he finally laid down the perfect take—meeting not just his own high standards but also ensuring that it would be included in the final mix.
His confidence surged as he reflected on the lessons from Dimebag Darrell, reminding himself that true artistry often stemmed from breaking the rules and taking bold risks.
The sound of the guitar echoed through the studio, a fierce testament to the untamed energy that Dime had epitomized.
As the last note reverberated in the air, he knew he had not only captured a moment but also honored the legacy of those who had inspired him to push boundaries.
In the end, not only did he deliver the flawless re-recorded outro, but he also alleviated the label’s concerns.
They received the completed album right on time, and this last-minute quest for perfection became a remarkable chapter in the Pantera saga.
Dime’s unwavering commitment to his craft transformed what could have been a setback into a legend.