Heavy Metal Music Loss
As many of you know "Dimebag" Darrel Abbott was lost to the music world this last December.
Here are Greg Noll's thoughts on Dime's passing:
Tuolumne, CA December 12, 2004

"Reverend, reverend, is this some conspiracy? Crucified for no sins..."

I lost one of my heroes late Wednesday night when a man named Nathan Gale climbed on stage at the Alrosa Villa nightclub in Columbus, Ohio during the first song of what would have undoubtedly been a blistering set by Damageplan, and shot Dimebag Darrell five times at point blank range, killing him. I'm not even sure what to say about this, but I feel like I need to say something...

For better or worse, Dime is greatly responsible for a huge part of my lead guitar style. I don't think it's anything you can directly put your finger on & say "that's it!", I think it's more of a "feel" thing. If you come out & see Crazy Ivan play, you'll surely hear shades of Dime, John Sykes, Peter Frampton, & others sort of "shine through". I spent so much time listening to Pantera, some of Dime's licks & style was bound to come out in my playing. If you open my bio page on the Crazy Ivan website, you'll see a photo of me playing one of his signature Washburn guitars.

I found out about the shooting at 7am Thursday morning when Crazy Ivan drummer Jim Anderson called me and relayed the news. What a horrible way to wake up. Jim's call was the first, and the phone hasn't stopped ringing since. I had met Dimebag a couple of times at the NAMM trade show in Southern California and I wanna tell you, he was truly a great guy. Definitely all about the fans, very outgoing, and always willing to give the people what they wanted. I know at least a couple of you on the Crazy Ivan mailing list feel the same way I do, because I've been to Pantera & Damageplan shows with you.

Speaking of which, I had the pleasure of seeing Dime play one last time last month in San Fransisco, and I sure am glad I did. He was as great as ever, and I'll always have that show, as well as the times I saw him with Pantera, to remember him by. Thank God I went.

As great a lead guitarist as Dimebag was (and he was), his true gift was the ability to write perfect, brutal heavy metal riffs. Dime's riffs were beautiful in the same way a great white shark is beautiful - sleek and crushing. He wrote some killer metal ballads as well, but his riffs are what he'll be remembered by. His loss will be felt not just by metal fans, but by the musical community in general. He was an excellent musician, and a damned fine human being. I'll tell ya, I am one heart-broken son of a bitch.

Essential listening: Whether you're into heavy metal or not, you should do yourself a favor and listen to some of Dime's music. Check out (from Pantera) the title track, as well as "Cemetary Gates" (hailed by many as Pantera's greatest song) from Cowboys From Hell, "Hollow" and "Rise" from Vulgar Display Of Power, "Becoming" from Far Beyond Driven, the title track and "Floods" from The Great Southern Trendkill, and "Pride" and "Blunt Force Trauma" from Damageplan's New Found Power.

For more information on Wednesday night's tragic shooting, go to www.pantera.com and for a great photo of Dime for your desktop, as well as comments on the tragedy from his brother (and drummer) Vinnie and other fellow musicians, go to www.damageplan.com.

Dime will be sorely missed by this rock & roll guitarist. I'll miss seeing him at the trade show every year, I'll miss rushing out to get his new albums the day they come out, and I'll surely miss seeing him perform. Rest in peace, brother...
Greg