Latest articles by Nick Bowcott
How Dimebag Darrell's Floods outro was re-recorded at (literally) the last minute
When Dimebag first tracked the outro to the Pantera classic, it was out of tune. It was only when it was due to be handed over to the label that he realized he’d forgotten to re-record it
Remembering John Sykes, the powerhouse rock journeyman who breathed new life into Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy
A personal tribute to the Tygers of Pan Tang and Blue Murder guitarist, who passed in January at 65
Pantera’s road crew share their memories of Dimebag Darrell – and why he was a guitar hero from the very beginning
These notorious characters from Pantera’s home videos reflect on the legacy of the Texas power groove pioneers’ genius guitarist
![[Left] Acclaimed producer Terry Date reclines on a blue couch as he speaks at an industry convention; [right] The late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, holds a note and feels it. He is wearing a white Garth Brooks T-shirt and plays his blue lightning finish Dean ML electric guitar.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nCqZukJJJMwpDY4ZeZhtsL-840-80.jpg.webp)
“I was doing everything I could to just keep up”: Terry Date on his studio sessions with Dimebag
The acclaimed producer describes Dimebag as a force of nature – and reflects on that ill-fated time when the late Pantera guitarist decided to give him a guitar lesson…
An all-star panel of Dimebag Darrell's friends and fans pick their favorite Dime solo
An all-star panel names the leads that cemented Dimebag’s name in the guitar history books
![[L-R] Rita Haney wears round sunglasses and drinks a pre-mixed cocktail; Dimebag Darrell shreds on his blue lightning bolt Dean ML electric guitar at a 1991 Pantera show.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8G6Ke3CMs8F3fsfVe23SnV-840-80.jpg.webp)
How Rita Haney, Dimebag Darrell's soulmate and partner in crime, keeps the late guitarist's memory alive
The driving force behind Blacktooth Beverages and Dimebag's new signature Warhead amp is keeping the flame alive for one of metal guitar's greatest heroes
Star players from Kerry King to Chad Kroeger on what made Dimebag Darrell a true original
An all-star panel of six-string superstars – including Zakk Wylde, Kerry King, Marty Friedman, Glenn Tipton, Alex Skolnick, Nita Strauss, Scott Ian, Bill Kelliher and Chris Broderick – explain why Dimebag is still so relevant 20 years after his tragic death
Zakk Wylde tells the story behind his infamous Guitar World cover with Dimebag Darrell
It's one of the most legendary GW cover shoots of all time: two metal legends, one with a freshly dyed green beard, and lots of alcohol…
We’ve played the Dimebag Warhead amp – and it is 100% crushing
Five minutes alone with this face-ripper and and we are officially in love
Terry Date recalls Dimebag’s unconventional approach to tone in the studio
The Pantera producer reveals the (sometimes extreme) measures Dime would take to achieve his desired tone
Zakk Wylde: “It’s not just about Dime’s chops – it’s about what he created. That’s his legacy – and it’s way, way bigger than just being a great lead player”
Just how to do you replicate the hyper-aggression of Dimebag's guitar? Well, as Zakk Wylde explains, you need a noise gate, you need to let things rip, and you might need some magic, too
A complete rundown of the guitar gear Zakk Wylde has been using with Pantera
Stephen Murillo, Zakk Wylde’s guitar tech for the past decade, pulls back the curtain to reveal the guitars, amps and pedals Wylde uses to pay tribute to Dimebag Darrell onstage
“You can see Zakk’s deep love and respect for Dimebag – that’s the reason I’m there, too”: Dime’s tech Grady Champion talks getting back on the road with Pantera
Dimebag Darrell’s guitar tech and friend on how he put together Zakk Wylde’s rig for the most high-profile metal tour of 2023 – and why “people have to understand it’s a tribute, it’s a celebration”
When Zakk Wylde needed a hand with Dimebag Darrell’s guitar parts, where did he turn? To Ola Englund’s YouTube channel, of course
The YouTuber and Solar Guitars head honcho reveals what he thinks of the Pantera reunion: “You can be a gatekeeper, but we also need to keep the legacy of Pantera alive”
Zakk Wylde used a Guitar World buyer’s guide to help him assemble his Pantera rig
The Black Label Society titan stumbled on Guitar World's advice while searching for the one pedal he needed to harness Dimebag Darrell's sound – and said “he wouldn't be able to get through the Pantera show” without it
Watch Dimebag Darrell's Destructional Home Video – a lost private guitar lesson from 2003
The Pantera legend offered an intimate look at his riff and solo secrets in this heavy and often hilarious lesson
Producer Max Norman recalls recording Randy Rhoads’ remarkable solos: “You could see it in his face... he was steeling himself, getting ready to pounce”
The renowned producer behind Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman reflects on capturing Rhoads’ leads
Rudy Sarzo on the rising star of Randy Rhoads: “The first time I saw Quiet Riot... I thought to myself, ‘That’s a rock star in the making right there’
The legendary rock bassist discusses the evolution of his friend and sparring partner
What was actually on Randy Rhoads’ “chip pan” pedalboard?
Plus how Budgie guitarist “Big” John Thomas and Randy Rhoads attempted an ill-fated repair on the ‘board, only to reveal a deeper mystery behind the late Ozzy guitarist's tone
George Lynch recalls the time he subbed for Randy Rhoads
Mr. Scary tells us how he came to take on – and lose – Randy Rhoads’ teaching sessions at Musonia, and how it made him a better guitar player along the way
The legend and legacy of Randy Rhoads’ iconic Jackson Concorde
The guitar icon‘s influence doesn't end with his playing. He also sparked the birth of Jackson, and helped set the template for metal guitars for decades to come
Zakk Wylde remembers tackling Randy Rhoads’ guitar parts for the first time
The BLS shredder-in-chief recalls his earliest days with Ozzy, when he cut his teeth playing a prison and chose a guitar with a high-risk finish for the job he was about to undertake
Dave Mustaine, Kirk Hammett and an all-star panel explain why Randy Rhoads was one of the greatest guitar players of all time
Forty years on from his death, guitar luminaries remember Randy Rhoads, a player Zakk Wylde believes should be held in the same esteem as Bach or Mozart
