On March 22, 1994, PANTERA's sixth studio album "Far Beyond Driven" was released on EastWest Records and immediately debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 — making PANTERA the first extreme metal band to debut at number one without radio airplay or MTV rotation. The album's achievement was all the more stunning given its content: "Far Beyond Driven" was abrasive, uncompromising groove-thrash metal with no concessions to commercial radio. Dimebag Darrell's guitar work on "5 Minutes Alone," "I'm Broken," and "Strength Beyond Strength" represented the high watermark of his art. The band's version of BLACK SABBATH's "Planet Caravan" demonstrated their range and reverence for metal's roots. Phil Anselmo's vocals were at their most aggressive. "Far Beyond Driven" redefined what heavy metal could achieve commercially and culturally — an earthquake moment in metal history.
Swiss hard rockers GOTTHARD entered the studio late last year with producers Leo Leoni and Ronald Prent (who worked with the band on their last effort, "Lipservice") to begin recording their new album, entitled "Domino Effect". An early summer release is expected.