During his far-too-short life, the odds of catching Dimebag Darrell enjoying a cold one at one of his favorite bars were pretty high. But seeing him jump onstage unannounced at that same bar to tear the roof off the place with a local band? Well, that's another story.
But that's exactly what happened back in 2003, when Dime joined up-and-coming metal outfit AKSA midway through their set at J. Gilligan's Bar & Grill in Arlington, Texas.Captured on film by — who we presume is — a fan of the band, the clip begins with AKSA halfway through a cover of Judas Priest's 1982 classic "You've Got Another Thing Comin'," before the singer announces to the crowd, "Make some noise for Dime… in the house!"
The camera operator scrambles to get a view of the Pantera guitarist as he waits at the bar, shaking hands, his head already nodding in approval of the sounds coming off the stage.
Clearly, he likes what he's hearing.
When the footage cuts, Dime is already up onstage with a white Randy Rhoads Jackson in hand, hunting for a pick. No sooner is it in his hand than he starts ripping through some fiery licks, while the band's frontman demands the venue's sound man, "Turn him up! Turn him up, goddammit!" — and thankfully, they do.
The short set kicks off with the Texas-born guitarist tearing through a blistering version of "Cat Scratch Fever" by Ted Nugent, blending some note-for-note mimicry with Dimebag's unique musical phrasing and flair.
Just as Dime thinks his work's done for the night — electric guitar off, shot of something alcoholic in hand — the crowd is asked if they want another one from Dime. The Pantera guitarist asks, "How about a little Kiss?" before the crowd responds with a resounding "Yeah!"
Darrell, of course, a die-hard Kiss fan who cut his teeth on tracks like "Cold Gin," couldn't look happier taking on Gene Simmons' vocal duties for this one, as well as lighting up the fretboard.
A true highlight comes during the final song of the filmed performance: Judas Priest's "Metal Gods." Dimebag's at-times ethereal solo kicks off around the 12-minute mark, with the guitarist appearing to be having the time of his life shredding through the metal classic in the small venue.
As the clip ends abruptly, it's unknown if Dime stayed onstage for a few more numbers or called it a night at that point. Either way, fans in attendance that night certainly got their money's worth.
This, of course, was not completely unprecedented behavior for Dimebag Darrell, as there are many stories of him happy to play at a moment's notice — with a Pignose amp strapped to him on the street, jamming with fans at NAMM, or joining a Pantera cover band (wait, would that still make them a cover band?). He'd done similar things before, but to have it on film makes it all the more special.
Dime would sit in with AKSA again for at least one other performance, this time including a Metallica cover in the set.
Later in 2003, following a two-year hiatus, Pantera would split, with Dimebag and his brother forming Damageplan and releasing their debut album New Found Power the year after. In December 2004, Darrell was tragically killed onstage while performing with the band during a show in Columbus, Ohio. He was 38 years old.
Pantera reformed in 2022 with a new lineup that includes Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, replacing the Abbott brothers, Dime and Vinnie, respectively.
Recently, news broke of potential plans for Zakk to re-record unfinished demos found on cassette tape that may result in a new Pantera album. If released, it will be the first new music from the metal band in 25 years.
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