"A New Level" is a song by American heavy metal band

Pantera Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...

. It is the second track on their 1992 studio album '' Vulgar Display of Power''.

Background and composition

The song is composed in the key of

A minor A minor is a minor scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has no flats and no sharps. Its relative major is C major and its parallel major is A major. The A natural minor scale is: : Changes ...

. It was demoed before producer Terry Date came in to work on the album. Pantera's vocalist

Phil Anselmo Philip Hansen Anselmo (born June 30, 1968) is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal vocalist best known as the lead singer for Pantera, Down (band), Down, and Superjoint, amongst other musical projects. He is the owner of Housecore Records ...

commented about the song: "A New Level was the ultimate chip-on-your-shoulder-type song at the time for me." Bassist Rex Brown wrote about the song in his book ''Official Truth, 101 Proof'': "Sometimes we'd sit in the studio until four in the morning, just coming up with different ideas... Every single track we recorded had that certain something about it in a way that only the most vital albums can boast. When we did 'A New Level,' there were all these weird chromatic chords that we hadn't even tried before, and as it took shape it was like opening a Christmas present that you never thought you'd get in a million years."

Reception

'' Metal Hammer'' ranked "A New Level" #11 on their list of the 50 best Pantera songs. They wrote: "A series of visceral, fidgeting riffs gives way to that immortal chorus: 'A new level of confidence and power…' It pretty much summed up the whole ''Vulgar Display…'' album." ''

Guitar World ''Guitar World'' is a monthly music magazine for guitarists – and fans of guitar-based music and trends – that has been published since July 1980. ''Guitar World'', the best-selling guitar magazine in the United States, contains original art ...

'' considered "A New Level" to be the 3rd best Pantera song, writing that it is "arguably as well known as any of the Vulgar Display of Power cuts that were." They also wrote: "Its intro riff, built on a slowly ascending barrage of crushing chromatics, is as iconic as the opening of ' Walk' or '

Mouth for War "Mouth for War" is a song by American heavy metal band Pantera. It was first released on the band's sixth album '' Vulgar Display of Power'' and was the first single off that album. It was later released on the band's compilation album, '' The ...

'". ''Guitar World'' also ranked the song's solo number 5 on their list "The 25 Greatest Wah Solos of All Time". Revolver Magazine hosted a fan poll on the five best songs from '' Vulgar Display of Power'' and "A New Level" came second place. ''

Spin Spin or spinning most often refers to: * Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning * Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis * Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...

'' writer Mike Gitter described the song as "anthemic".

Madonna performance

Pop singer

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone (; ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Widely dubbed the " Queen of Pop", Madonna has been noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, a ...

performed a riff from "A New Level" on her '' Sticky & Sweet Tour''. It was her long-time guitarist, Monte Pittman, who taught her the riff. She performed it during a medley version of her song " Hung Up". Anselmo considered this to be strange, and said: "She's never reached out to any of us, so I appreciate her homage, but I just don't understand it. But props to her for doing it."

Personnel

– vocals * Dimebag Darrell – guitar * Rex Brown – bass * Vinnie Paul – drums

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Level 1992 songs Pantera songs Songs written by Dimebag Darrell Songs written by Vinnie Paul Songs written by Phil Anselmo Songs written by Rex Brown