The Megadeth Album That Forever Changed Pantera Guitarist Dimebag Darrell

In a new interview, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has shared the story of a “sobering moment” he had with the late Pantera guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, who once confessed to him that Megadeth‘s 1986 album, Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, had changed his life.

Speaking with Alternative Nation, Ellefson recounted the memorable meeting, which took place in Texas in 1988, a time when Pantera was still a developing local band on the cusp of their global breakthrough.

“I was introduced to them by a girlfriend of mine from Texas,” Ellefson recalled. “I met the guys, we went out, drank hard, a good time, and Dimebag—who was known as Diamond Darrell at that time—after we had been drinking all night, he comes up to me, and he looks me dead in the eye, and he goes, ‘David, I just want to tell you the Peace Sells album changed my life.’”

Ellefson admitted his initial reaction was casual, but the young guitarist’s intense sincerity made the moment unforgettable.

“I remember he put his hand on my shoulder. He goes, ‘No, it changed my life.’ It was like a sobering moment, right there when he said that,” Ellefson said.

He also offered a fascinating snapshot of Pantera‘s sound at that pivotal moment in their history, just before they would go on to define ’90s metal.

“My Pantera is still the Power Metal album,” he said, referring to their pre-Cowboys from Hell era. “It still had some ZZ Top, some Van Halen, and a little bit of Megadeth, Metallica, right? They were transitioning to what would become Cowboys from Hell and Vulgar Display.”

The following night, Ellefson jammed the song “Peace Sells” on stage with the band and was blown away by their professionalism, even amidst the hard-partying lifestyle.

“These guys could drink a lot and still play really well. Whereas Megadeth, when we drank a lot, we didn’t sound so good,” he laughed. “I was very impressed on how they did that. They were just a powerhouse of a band.”