Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera

by Rex Brown

Few heavy metal acts survived the turmoil of the early 1990s music scene. Pantera was different. Instead of humoring the market, the band instead demanded that the audience come to them by releasing a series of fiercely uncompromising, platinum albums, including Vulgar Display of Power and Far Beyond Driven -- two #1 albums that, like Metallica's And Justice for All , sold millions of copies despite minimal airplay.

Rex Brown's memoir is the definitive account of life inside one of rock's biggest bands, which succeeded against all odds but ultimately ended in tragedy when iconic lead guitarist Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott was murdered mid-performance by a deranged fan.

This is a lucid account of the previously untold story behind one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history, written by the man best qualified to tell the truth about those incredible and often difficult years of fame and excess.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Music Biography, Rock N Roll

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Rex Robert Brown is an American musician and Author, who is best known as the longtime bassist for the Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling band Pantera.

He is currently the bassist for the band Kill Devil Hill and is a former member of Down.

Brown authored a book called Official Truth 101 Proof, which was released in April 2013. The book documented Pantera's formation, career, and break-up

Reviews

[Timothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rex Brown is naturally gifted at everything. Bass guitar, skiing, golf, home renovations, gambling, drinking, fighting, being respectful, being a husband, being an ex husband, being an occasionally sober father, being awesome, being Rex Brown etc etc. If you don't believe how talented Rex Brown is, buy this book and over the course of nearly 300 pages Rex Brown will inform and repeatedly remind you just how talented and wonderful Rex Brown is. Oh yeah, this is also a book about the band Pantera. Pantera were the biggest metal band of the nineties, which was not the greatest decade to be a metal band. A book about Pantera is a great idea, they were an important group with an interesting story and a sad ending. This book is more concerned with Rex Browns unending and heartfelt love of Rex Brown though.

[John Whitfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's sad, I was hoping this book would shed some light on the whole Pantera situation but it didn't. Rex is self absorbed and pretty much a prick. He spends most of the book talking about trivial crap about his up bringing and how he can kick anyone's ass. Also he thinks very highly of himself as a bass player and touches on that several times. This book seemed to be poorly written. He says "and the whole bit" over and over again through out the book which started to drive me nuts. Look, I'm a HUGE Pantera fan, but Rex should have put way more effort into this one. Looks to me like he needed some quick money. I still recommend it to any Pantera fan, but don't expect much.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally: An inside account of the rise and fall of the greatest metal band of the 90's from Rex Brown. Pantera's bassist pulls no punches and leaves no stone unturned in this chronological autobiography. Coupled with interviews from other band members over the last decade, 'Official Proof' fills in the many blanks left after the band disintegrated shortly after the North American tour for their final record 'Reinventing The Steel'. The shocking, on-stage murder of guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott in December of 2004 shook millions of Pantera fans and the entire world of metal music like nothing before or since. Rex speaks with reverence and heartfelt respect for the slain legend whom he refers to as his "best friend". The drummer ( and Darrell's brother ) Vinnie Paul is subjected to harsh treatment by Rex who sneers repeatedly in the book at his strip club antics and rock star posturing. The vocalist and living legend Phil Anselmo also comes under scrutiny as nothing more than a junkie following the triumphant tour for the 'Far Beyond Driven' album ( which stunned the world by opening at #1 on the Billboard charts in 1994). Pantera would release two more successful records before falling apart shortly after 9/11, Rex provides many predictable reasons for this; Pantera was a band that toured extensively together for the better part of two decades which inevitably led to conflict and fissures in the group, no different from the fate of many other great bands. When the reader considers the tremendous amount of drugs and alcohol involved, its no surprise that the band members drifted apart. This book also covers the time period after Pantera as Rex gives an inside account of joining Anselmo for several records and tours in the successful band Down. Rex also lays bare his own struggle with alcoholism and subsequent diagnosis of pancreatitis. The stunning murder of Dimebag Darrell was a heartbreaking tragedy on a par with the death of Jimi Hendrix and it marks the end of communication (and the possibility of a reunion between the surviving members) primarily between Vinnie Paul and Phil Anselmo. Comments made by Anselmo in a 2004 Metal Hammer interview seemed to advocate violence against Darrell which had the unfortunate timing of being published shortly before a deranged fan ran onstage while Darrell was performing with his brother Vinnie in their new band ' Damageplan' and fired shots killing the guitarist immediately. The interview and the fact that Anselmo refused to communicate with the Abbott brothers after the aborted 'Reinventing The Steel' European tour proved to be a noxious mix for Vinnie Paul and he holds a stubborn grudge against Anselmo to this very day.
'Official Proof' is a quick and interesting read for anyone, especially those of us that are lifelong fans of Pantera. Rex Brown is a survivor and continues to record and tour with his new band, supporting his children and looking back with fond memories to a time when he and his friends ruled the heavy metal world.

[Rod Horncastle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's funny, metal musicians and rockstars try to look all tough and badA$$, and boast about their hardliving and occasional fights and riots and moshpits, Endless tattoos of demons and debauchery... but nobody cries like little hurt babies more than these spoiled primadonnas. Hence: this book.

Here's the note I gave to myself while reading this:
" Big tough brutal dark metal bands: "you hurt my feelings." "No, you hurt my feelings." "I'm not talking to you anymore." "I have too much anxiety." "I need therapy."
Seriously?! I'm glad I'm a truck driver.

I was never a Pantera fan. I tried. I listened to "Cowboys From Hell" even. It certainly wasn't grabbing my attention the way Megadeth or Iron Maiden did. Slightly more listenable than Anthrax. We all enjoyed Dimebag Darrell's guitar shredding though.
After reading this book I listened to a bit more, watched a few youtube concerts even. Vinnie Paul's drumming is awesome. Can't deny that. But Phil's singing just grated on my nerves (as does his lyrics). NO thanks. I'm not sure what to think of Rex's bass playing - it gets the job done. No complaints.

An amusing and disturbing part of the book was Rex's account of Dimebag's funeral. Which he dubbed the "Zakk Wylde and Eddie Van Halen show". Big tough musicians who just can't get their crap together. What an embarrassment. It's too be expected.

But the book is Rex's story. And it's a good one. Rags to Riches of course. Thankfully he chats just enough about actual music to make the book worth reading. We get a bit of gossip and insight into every album he's made. He occasionally chats about playing bass. But nothing serious about amps or equipment.
We get the occasional bit of info about his marriages and children. He even shares how he put his children into a Christian school so they can get a moral boundary and guidance. I applaud him for that (and his strange lazy spirituality) --- strangely, this book has more swearing and nastiness than almost any biography (or even novel) that I've ever read (and I've read over a thousand). So Rex is a work in progress.

But I enjoyed his sharing.

[Chuy Ruiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I only finished it because I don't like leaving books half read. Pantera has been one of my favorite metal bands for the better part of my life so curiosity got the better of me, but I didn't need to read any of this. tl dr: Bands have problems communicating, tensions rise, touring all the time makes it hard to get along. Rex is amazing at everything he does.
Also, I don't know how it got past the editor and ghost writer that "...and the whole bit" was on every other page to end a sentence. That wouldn't have gotten past my 9th grade English teacher.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pantera was a hugely popular heavy metal band that emerged from Texas in the 1990s. While there have been many books and articles published about the band's success and ultimate demise, Pantera bassist Rex Brown's perspective is one I expected to be reliable on the basis that he was there. His new book, Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera, which he wrote with Metallica chronicler Mark Eglinton, does feel like an honest and authentic telling of the band's story.
The narrative voice in this book - I'm not sure whether it's Brown's voice, Eglinton's voice, or the combination of the two - is reminiscent of Holden Caulfield. Yes, that's right: Official Truth is the story of Pantera as told by Holden Caulfield (grin). That alone was pretty endearing, but Brown's honesty about everyone in the band, including himself, is also quite likable. While this may not be a masterpiece of writing, it is an interesting look at Pantera. There are sections that are less interesting than others - not being a musician, the technical talk of how a record was made or how Brown played a baseline was not of great interest to me. However, he also describes his life and how the personalities in the band fit - or didn't fit - together.
I would recommend Official Truth to fans of Pantera, but I doubt people with no interest in the band would care to read the book. The writing is not excellent but the voice is endearing enough to keep fans reading. This was a quick read that made for a nice change from my usual fare.
3.5 Stars

Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Pantera for as long as I can remember, which even lead me to name my cat after them many years ago. This book is the memoir of their bassist, Rex Brown, who provides a personal narrative about the creation of the band, the success of the band, and the downfall of the band, most of which I hadn't known about, even back in the day. What struck me most about this book was Brown's personal insights and reflections into the relationships he had with everyone in the band, and how that all interplayed as they spiraled into addiction, conflict, and ultimate break-up of the band, things that no fan would ever be privy to. While I read through the history, I was filled with my own memories of rocking out to Pantera in high school (and today!), skipping school to meet the band (I did!), going to countless shows (all awesome!), and the terrified phone calls from my parents the morning after the shooting at the DamagePlan show who feared that I was at the show and that I, too, was killed.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go blast War Nerve and I'm Broken at maximum volume.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rex loves him some Rex! A lot of harsh words towards his Pantera band mates and perhaps that is fair. Plenty of sad tales, too. And at least towards the end, Rex turns the microscope on himself without it being a self-love fest. It’s sad that the Abbott brothers are now both gone. While the demise of Pantera is covered, it came across ay least partially glossed over.
2.5/5

[Dave Mason · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit full of himself - super smart, super talented, super strong...super tiresome. Kind of a dick to the other guys; especially Vinnie. No real fun here. More gossipy than it was insightful about life in the band. I was glad when I was done, which sort of says it all.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly written and poorly conceived. Brown has gained little insight and little wisdom from his life's ordeals.

[Faiçal Júnior · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what Rex Brown said in a interview about the book for Loudwire "I just wanted to tell my side of the story."

Taking this words as premisse you can understand the book better

The book is a Rex Brown biography and the part of the biography that he tells about Pantera is HIS side of the history.

To me is clear like water that the time they spent together specificly on tours was the motive for them to split, and you can understand.

Its curious his feelings towards the band members, Vinnie to be specific. As he says, 4 different personalities and tastes.

To me its a 3.5 - 5.0 stars book and i recommend it, but keep in your mind that is a Rex Biography, not Pantera's.

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rex Brown, quien fue bajista de la banda desde 1982 hasta su disolución en 2003; es quien tiene la voz cantante en este libro.
.
Comienza contando sus primeros años de vida, a partir de la muerte de su padre, y cómo llegó a conocer a Dimebag y a los otros miembros.
.
Sus andanzas se entrelazan con comentarios de otras personas: Cheryl Ponder (su hermana) , Terry Glaze (el primer vocalista de Pantera), Walter O'Brien (su mánager), Terry Date (su productor)Pries, Guy Sykes (colaborador), Rita Haney (la esposa de Darrell), y Jeff Judd (asistente).
.
Su debut con "Metal Magic" de 1983 va mostrando el comienzo del viaje, caracterizado más bien por el libre albedrío, el alcohol y ensayos intensos para encontrar un sonido propio y dejando entrever algunos conflictos.
.
Continúa con la etapa más prolífica, que es cuando Phil Anselmo se vuelve integrante permanente de la banda, compartiendo escenario con Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies, Judas Priest, Skid Row, White Zombie, Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, entre otros.
.
En 1993, pisan por primera vez suelo argentino con "Far beyond driven"... Y comienzan los problemas de Phil con las drogas, lo cual repercute en la grabación de "The Great Southern Trendkill".
.
En los 2000 es cuando comienza la debacle. Los extremismos de Phil estaban afectando a todos, y además formó una banda paralela junto a Rex: Down. Adicciones, problemas de salud, y el accidente fatal de Dime, fueron los detonantes que hicieron que Pantera abandonara la carretera.

[Joseph Allocca · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're like me, your first impression when you read this book is going to be "Wow, Rex is a dick." There are a couple of points where he throws various members under the bus a bit, and gets very harsh. It isn't until you get towards the end that he gives some perspective and shines light on his own problems.

There are some pretty interesting stories in the book, and its a compelling read for any fan of Pantera. I was always a fan of their music first, so I don't know much about the others involved, but Pantera was a huge influence on me for much of my youth and if nothing else, this book allows me to feel a little closer to Rex and the band as a whole.

All in all, a good book, and a must read for any fan of Pantera.

[Snem · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you read this as an autobiography of Rex Brown it’s ok, if you’re looking for a deep dive into the tragic murder of Dimebag Darrell from the perspective of an insider, those parts are thin. I enjoyed the parts about his upbringing, family and drinking problems. I appreciated the insights from other people involved with the group.

To read this as a Pantera biography, despite the title, is a mistake. There is simply not enough here to make it too compelling of an autobiography and the interesting stuff felt glossed over. I didn’t care about descriptions of homes or gambling runs. If it’s going to be a collection of road stories give us that, but this book just isn’t enough of anything.

I recommend this only to hardcore Pantera fans or if you’re big into music memoirs.

[Marilou Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rex Brown, bassist for Pantera has put out a brutally honest book on the ups and downs of being in a hugely world famous band. He pulls no punches with his writing and I highly recommend this book for not only Pantera fans, but anyone wanting a closer look at the inner workings of being in a rock band.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good read, could have read it in one sitting but was to busy. The words "the whole bit" got really annoying after a while.

[Jason Schneeberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best written book in the world, nor the most insightful, but still, any fan of Pantera should read this.

[Aaron Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book when it was about Pantera's heyday and did get to find out many details and fill in the blanks about some big behind the scenes events. (One example was Rex being annoyed and flabbergasted that Phil Anselmo put out that press release about dying after his overdose and that management let him do it at all.) Plus I loved the cameos and new anecdotes with other cool musicians like Peter Steele, Mike Muir, Jerry Cantrell, and my favorite producer Terry Date got quoted a ton. That was a personal joy as he doesn't seem to get his due though he produced two Soundgarden albums, five Deftones albums, and many, many other classics along with Pantera's biggest four.

I also hadn't thought about how much Rex was a part of Down so it was exciting to read those chapters. You get some more details about drug situations that were happening in the scene overall too. The Darrell funeral pages were very intense and actually moving as well with lots of wild insight and different musicians around.

However, if you don't already know or care about Pantera, I can't imagine this book being very entertaining. The writing is "folksy" to say the least, and many stories are started but not really finished at all or a big detail of something else said will have no context or real explanation to go with it.

Plus Rex makes himself out to be the voice of reason or the best in almost every situation the entire book which starts to seem a little far fetched after awhile. The bragging is sometimes indavertently comical even. Apparently he did do a lot of the management work and business aspects though so that was interesting to find out. There are also thankfully quotes inserted by people around the band throughout the whole book which helps give some context and fill other missing details in.

Rex talks a ton of crap about the other band members throughout, but Vinnie Paul Abbott definitely takes the brunt of that. In fact, the early stories about Vinnie are so slapstick that they are actually hilarious and a highlight of the book. A story about Vinnie running into all kinds of people at a ski outing is some serious comedy. Now reading this book though, I can definitely say if Vinnie wasn't going to do a Pantera reunion because of Phil's talking smack before Darrell's death, this publication and humiliation of Vinnie had to be the real nail in the coffin. The attacks on him are unrelenting. Rex is definitely nicest and most respectful about Phil Anselmo, and the parts where Phil joins and changes the band are very fun to read. Rex then also sticks up for and explains with detail some of the things Anselmo did during the later years though he still delivers plenty of criticism along with it.

Overall, if you're a Pantera or Down fan, definitely read this as it will fill in many holes and give you some new fun stories to boot. If you're not a fan, there's really no way you were going to read this anyway, and there are definitely better books if you're going into a band blind.

[Paddy · Rating 1 out of 5]

“NOW WITH ADDED REX BROWN!” etc.

Looking back, I was fortunate to see Pantera live many times in the early 90’s as their proverbial star ascended and even got to meet Rex and the boys once. Those stories you’ve read or heard of them being phenomenal live? Every one of them true. I never once saw them off their game. I saw them supporting bigger, longer established bands and wiping the stage with them. (One show in particular stands out, where they were supporting Megadeth - who themselves were an incredible act in their own right - but spent much of their show contending with the audience shouting the support acts name through their set. I’ve no idea if they were pissed afterwards, but they *seemed* to take it in their stride and with good humour. But that was the kind of band you were dealing with - everything you’ve seen, read and heard that’s now become the stuff of Rock Legend is true. They took no prisoners. Ever.

So reading this and trying to put the guy I met together with the guy I was reading about was often an exercise in frustration. I get it, people are not who they are on stage, and we project. We all do it to some degree, often unconsciously. That’s the magic of showbiz folks! I’ve friends in the business myself and know how it works, but it was still quite strange trying to make sense of this singular person but from two very different perspectives.

Rex Brown loves Rex Brown. He’s great at everything. He’s the best Bassist, he’s the best Golfer, he’s the best gambler, he’s the best businessman, he’s the best griller, and on and on (and on...) it goes. Rather than focusing in on the actual dynamics of what made the band true titans of Metal, and the dynamics that so cruelly ripped them apart, this is very much the Rex Brown show (“with tonight’s special guest...REX BROWN!”) It’s just that kind of “book”. I also could have done without the N-word to be honest too. I understand the context in how it was being used to illustrate a childhood memory of his, but it still could have been conveyed without using it.

There’s no denying the guy is a great Bassist. No argument from me there - I admire his tight and punchy sound and his energy on stage, but this is just a self-congratulatory, back-slapping Rex love-fest. Of course, he has every right to do so. But it makes for one boring as fuck read.

One can only hope that Anselmo will finally write his own memoir someday. Phil may be no angel and not be perfect (hell, who is?) but the guy’s got integrity by the truckload and I’d sure as hell buy it. At the very least, he deserves to tell his side of the story - because every fucker else has. Sometimes silence speaks volumes and I think that says a whole lot about Phil to be honest. Again...integrity. It matters.

Tldr: Disappointing borefest. Avoid.

[Arthur Malaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verdade Official - Nos Bastidores do PanterA foi escrito por seu baixista Rex Robert Brown, e já começa contando como foram os dias que sucederam uma das maiores tragédias da música: Dimebag Darrel baleado em cima do palco durante um show do Damage Plan. Rex conta como foi receber a notícia, como foi o velório, a razão de suas ações durante o enterro, sem poupar críticas à alguns e amenizando com outros, dá um pause e conta sua própria história, a formação do PanterA, como foi sua entrada na banda, as histórias de bastidores, várias críticas aos outros integrantes, sem exatamente tirar o próprio da reta, mas justificando através do alcoolismo, Brown tece cuidadosamente a história de tudo o que ocorreu em torno do maior expoente do metal nos anos 90, os problemas internos da banda, o papel da mídia nisso tudo, e dá sua versão para tudo o que aconteceu. O mais legal e interessante desse livro é que ele trás relatos e depoimentos de pessoas que os cercavam na época, sua irmã, a Rita (namorada de Dime), ex-integrantes da banda, entre outros. Senti falta de lugar de fala para Vinnie Paul (que aparentemente tinham alguma briga muito mal resolvida) e Phil Anselmo, o que torna esse livro a única versão que temos para toda essa história. Infelizmente nunca ouviremos dos irmãos Abbott sobre tudo, talvez um dia Phil escreva algo também, mas o que temos nesse livro acaba sendo a "verdade oficial" já que é a única contada pela banda. Vale ressaltar que a verdade da mídia aqui não importa ou não interessa... com uma hora você vê o especial da VH1 completo sobre isso no youtube e já percebe o quão tendenciosa a mídia já era a respeito na época. De certa forma esse livro suavizou um pouco meu ranço em direção ao Phil (sobre o PanterA, continuo repudiando suas ações seguintes e gestos nazistas). De qualquer forma, acho impossível ser fã da banda e não se emocionar conforme o livro avança e passa pela morte e enterro de Dime. A sim, esse livro também me trouxe um singelo respeito a mais por Rex Brown e sua trajetória musical (excluindo, logicamente, essa aberração que ele tem tocado ao vivo ao lado de Phil e Zakk Wilde que nunca deveria existir para começo de conversa). 10/10

[Janne Paananen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Minun mielestäni musiikkielämäkerroissa on kaksi tietä. Joko pikkutarkka selostus bändin/artistin elämänvaiheista, levyistä ja kiertuesta kaikin mahdollisin lisäherkuin (kuvaliitteet, keikkalistat, kokoonpanot, kattava diskografia, lempiruoat, kengän koot ja lapsena sairastetut taudit) tai sitten artistin itsensä kirjoittama, hyvin vahvasti oman elämäkokemuksen suodattama muistelo ja tarina juuri niistä asioista, mistä artisti haluaakaan minulle kertoa. Ensimmäisestä loistavia esimerkkejä ovat vaikkapa Antti Heikkisen kirja Juice Leskisestä tai Mika Järvisen teos Uriah Heepistä ja jälkimmäisestä Nikki Sixxin Heroiinipäiväkirja tai Bill Brufordin omaelämäkerta.

Panteran basisti, Rex Brown, epäonnistuu surkeasti molemmissa kategorioissa.

Rexin näkemys bändin historiasta ei ole yksipuolinen, mutta valitettavan suppea silti. Texasista lähtöisin ollut rähinäbändi vaikuttaa tämän elämäkerran perusteella lähinnä nipulta punaniskaidiootteja, jotka eivät mahtuneet samaan bussiin/lentokoneeseen/laivaan kun musiikkihommat alkoivat kiristää kupolia. Ja olihan siinä siinä niitä huumeita, naisia ja jokunen huikea albumikin.

Rex päästää ääneen vaimonsa, edesmenneen Dimebagin vaimon, managerit, tuottajat ja ystävänsä. Mutta ei tärkeimmän bändinsä kanssamuusikoita. Joita veljikseen kirjan lopussa kutsuu. On selvä, että kitaristia ei mullan alta kommentoimaan saa, mutta entäpä tämän veli, rumpuja piessyt Vinnie? Kirjan perusteella Rex ei hänen kanssaan ole oikein puheväleissä. Panteran jälkeen Rex soitti pari levyä Phil Ansemon kanssa Down-orkesterissa, mutta eipä vokalistiltakaan ole riviäkään kirjassa. Laimeaa.

Monet ulkomaisista elämäkerroista tuntuvat juosten kus... kirjoitetuilta, niin myös tämä "101-prosenttinen totuus". Se on sisällöltään suppea elämäkerta, joka ei herätä minkäänlaisia tunteita. Kuvaliitettä tai mitään muutakaan ylimääräistä ei ole vaivauduttu tekemään. Lähinnä tuntuu, että siitä on menty mihin ei aitaa ei ole rakennettu.

[Patrick St-Denis · Rating 3 out of 5]

After loving Duff McKagan's biography, my brother suggested that I read Rex Brown's Official Truth: 101 Proof next. I was a huge Pantera fan back in the 90s, so when he lent me the book I knew I had to read it!

If you were a fan back in the day, you probably recall that Brown never had much to say during interviews. Turns out he has a LOT to say in this biography. I never would have thought that this guy was so full of himself, or that he would piss on a lot of people, especially his own drummer.

To hear him talk, it's almost as though Rex Brown was the best thing since sliced bread. Now, I'm no pro, but none of his basslines were ever memorable and I can't really name one song in which he truly shines. He's a far cry from Steve Harris from Iron Maiden or Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, and yet he seems to consider himself one of the very best bassists to ever walk this Earth.

One of the main problems with this biography is that it's not that insightful. I was hoping for more regarding Pantera's creative process for each album and the history of the band. But it was not to be. Moreover, several sections are poorly written and repetitive. The book was supposedly cowritten with Mark Eglinton, but it seems evident that certain chapters were done by Brown alone.

In the end, especially since we're only getting one side of the story, there's not a whole lot to like about this biography, even for long-time fans. It's okay, but nothing you should be rushing to read. RIP Dimebag.

[Senkiv Zalachenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

By the time I started listening to Pantera,it was several years after the band had dissolved(R.I.P Dime and Vinnie) so I never got the chance to live through the period where they were taking names and kicking ass.What better way to do so then to read a book by their bassist Rex Brown titled “Official Truth 101 Proof:The Inside Story Of Pantera” right?WRONG.Sure there’s quite a bit of insight into the band,their turmoil and the glory days but make no mistake.This book is mostly about how big Rex Browns dick is and how he’s better than everyone else.Also he beats people up and has sex with tons of chicks.Sadly for most of this egomaniacs claims,the only one who can corroborate anything is not with us anymore(Dime).

The ego on Rex Brown is just mind numbing.He talks down when talking about people and brags every chance he gets.I heard that Rex was the quiet nerd in the band but in this book Rex would have you believe that he’s just as tough or tougher than Phil himself.I almost could not finish this book cause of his idiotic bragging.At least he had some semblance of humility in parts where the great almighty Rex Brown stopped talking about his mighty accomplishments to give the reader what they came to begin with.The inside scoop of Pantera.

The way he talks about Vinnie even if true or not is absolutely disgustingly condescending.I have never met the man but Rex Brown:Fuck you.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!

Well, I might be biased seeing as I love Rex Brown!

Considering that it's been 11 years since the book's release, obviously there have been lots of things that have changed since that time.

It is obvious that Rex had very strong opposing feelings towards Vinnie, which at times it can be a bit hard to read considering a vast majority of the book seemed to be him taking shots against him. However, he was definitely valid for feeling the way he did, even if it meant reading certain passages that seemed uncomfortable.

I also understand that everyone will have different opinions/versions of what went down during the drama that was revolved around Pantera but this book is obviously Rex's perspective ALONE, and we should definitely respect that.

All in all, I'm really glad that he chose to come forward and write about himself, as he is definitely the quiet one and often overshadowed by other members of the band.

P.S. Also yes, the term of 'the whole bit' was rather repetitive and overly used, could it have been cut down a little? Yeah.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth the read by fans of Rex’s bands: Pantera and Down. As the title suggests the primary focus is on the life of the band Pantera. It is also Rex’s biography up to about 2011. The first hand perspective in this amount of detail might never be seen anywhere else for Pantera (unless Phil Anselmo puts out his own autobiography at some point?) Already in this book there are segments of first hand accounts by other members of Pantera’s network, including record company managers, producers , family members and girlfriends/wives, etc. with Dimebag Darrell and now Vinnie Paul both gone from this world, this could be the best inside view of Pantera we will ever get.

[Colin Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn’t consider myself a Pantera fan. I like a few songs and actually had tickets to what would have been their last show (before 9/11 and the band’s hiatus), but it was more my friends who were into them. Rex’s story is mostly new to me as a result, and he does a good job of condensing so many events—some obviously tragic like Dimebag’s death—into 250 pages. One thing, and maybe I’m getting old, but I found all the partying and crazy rock star antics pretty childish and repetitive by the end. It’s worth reading whether you’re a Pantera fan or not nonetheless.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to choose a rating for this book, but I really did enjoy reading about one of my all-time favorite bands from the perspective of Rex Brown. He was always the quiet one that just wanted to live his dream of being a rock-n-roll star. The drama surrounding a band like this is nothing unusual, and I think he handled it the best he could. Was he a saint? No. Did he do some crazy stuff? Yes. He doesn't try to hide any of that.
Unless you're a fan of Pantera, this book probably wouldn't really interest you. But if you ARE a fan, you may find it very enlightening.

[Chris Minzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is a good read. Entertaining and informative. Pantera was/is the king of american metal. They started something special among heavy metal fans. If you are a fan I highly recommend this book. It kinda touches the heart at times while having you laughing out loud at other times. You learn a lot about Rex and how he came to be a musician and part of pantera. If not a pantera fan it might not be the book for you. I loved it personally.

[Conrad Mason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably the worst rock bio i have ever read! Rex isnt a very likeable guy and is very arrogant. Didnt really paint much of a story about Pantera although did give some idea why they broke up - years on the road together basically. Although he hints that the problems were from vinnie and phil after reading this i feel rex wouldnt be the easiest person to be in a band with!

Dont waste your time with this one 😶

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome insight from one of the band members own personal agenda. Not biased at all towards the group. Considering Rex is one of the least talked about members it goes to show even the quitest guy in the room can be the smartest. 5 stars.
I recommend to any Pantera fan who loves and acknowledges their music as a hierachy of inportance during the 90's
RIP VINNIE and DIME. The Abbot brothers.