Suicide Note (song)
"Suicide Note Pt. 1" | ||||
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Promotional single by Pantera | ||||
from the album The Great Southern Trendkill | ||||
Released | May 22, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1995 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:44 | |||
Label | East West | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
Pantera promotional single chronology | ||||
|
"Suicide Note Pt. 2" | |
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Song by Pantera | |
from the album The Great Southern Trendkill | |
Released | May 7, 1996 |
Recorded | 1995 |
Genre | |
Length | 4:19 |
Label | East West |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
"Suicide Note" is a two-part song by American heavy metal band Pantera from their eighth studio album, The Great Southern Trendkill. The first half of the song was released as the album's second single in 1996. The combination total time is 9 minutes and 3 seconds.
The first part of the song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1997.[5]
Background
[edit]"Suicide Note Pt. I" is a power ballad that features 12-string acoustic guitars, keyboards, and bass drum beats in the style of a heartbeat.[6] Guitarist Dimebag Darrell told Guitar World magazine in 1996 that he wrote all the guitar parts of the song the first time he picked up a 12-string guitar that Washburn Guitars had sent him in recognition of his new endorsement of the company.
The song breaks into "Suicide Note Pt. II", which in stark contrast to Pt. I, is a fast-tempo song featuring low tunings, screamed vocals throughout, and a breakdown at its climax. The main riff in Pt. II features extensive use of the DigiTech Whammy effects pedal, which is used throughout most of the song including the chaotic solo.
Pt. I was omitted from the original vinyl pressing of The Great Southern Trendkill in 1996. It was however included on a limited edition 24 bit audiophile pressing in 2012.
The lyrics describe suicide attempts such as slitting of the wrist. Pt. I mentions drug use in particular, whereas Pt. II describes the determination of suicide by gunshot.
Reception
[edit]Metal Hammer ranked the first part of the song number 24 on their list of the 50 best Pantera songs, while the second part of the song ranked at number 20.[7][8]
Loudwire ranked both parts number eight on their list of the top 10 Pantera songs.[9]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Suicide Note, Pt. I" (Live Through This Night Remix Edit) | 3:55 |
2. | "Suicide Note, Pt. I" (Live Through This Night Remix) | 4:56 |
Personnel
[edit]Part I
[edit]- Philip Anselmo – lead vocals
- Dimebag Darrell – 12-string acoustic guitar
Additional personnel
[edit]- Big Ross – keyboards
Part II
[edit]- Philip Anselmo – lead vocals
- Dimebag Darrell – guitars
- Rex Brown – bass
- Vinnie Paul – drums
Additional personnel
[edit]- Seth Putnam (of Anal Cunt) – additional vocals
References
[edit]- ^ Slavković, David (March 24, 2023). "Friday Top: 15 Weirdest and Most Uncharacteristic Songs Recorded By Metal Bands". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (May 22, 2017). "10 Greatest Acoustic Metal Songs". Loudwire. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Desgagné, Marc (May 8, 2023). "Pantera - Une première live en 22 ans pour la chanson "Suicide Note Pt. 2"". MetalUniverse.net (in Canadian French). Retrieved July 26, 2025.
- ^ Will Navidson (May 6, 2023). "See PANTERA play "Suicide Note Pt. 2" for first time in 22 years". Revolver Magazine.
- ^ Daniels, Neil (January 2000). Reinventing Metal: The True Story of Pantera and the Tragically Short Life of Dimebag Darrell. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781480362734.
- ^ "Fan poll: Top 5 PHILIP ANSELMO vocal performances". Revolver.
- ^ "The 50 best Pantera songs ever - page 3". Louder Sound. February 4, 2019.
- ^ "The 50 best Pantera songs ever - page 4". Louder Sound. February 4, 2019.
- ^ "10 Best Pantera Songs". Loudwire. December 8, 2014.