Released May 22, 1996 Label Eastwest | Recorded 1995 | |
Genre Psychedelic rock (Pt. I)
groove metal (Pt. II) Length 4:44 (Pt. I)
4:19 (Pt. II) Writer(s) Dimebag Darrell, Vinnie Paul, Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown | ||
"Suicide Note" is a two-part song by the 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. It is Pantera's highest charting song on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart (now known as the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks), peaking at #10. The combination total time is 9 minutes 3 seconds.
Contents
Song structure
"Suicide Note Pt. I" is arguably the most diverse and experimental song Pantera ever recorded, as it features 12-string acoustic guitars and keyboards, and no distorted electric guitar. Dimebag Darrell told Guitar World magazine in 1996 that he wrote all the guitar parts to the song the first time he picked up a 12 string guitar that Washburn Guitars sent him as a thank you for his then new endorsement of the company.
The song eventually 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 Dimebag Darrell's Digitech Whammy effects pedal which is used throughout most of the song including the chaotic solo. Pt. II became one of Pantera's signature songs and a regular concert staple until the band's breakup in 2003.
Pt. 1 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.
Lyrics
The songs' lyrics describe suicide attempts, namely slitting of the wrist. Pt.I talks in particular about drug use whereas Pt. II features lyrics of someone determined to take their life by gunshot. However, if one listens closely during the chorus of the song the lyrics state 'Don't you try to die like me, it's livid and it's lies' which appears to be an attempt to dissuade anyone from the act of suicide portraying it as cowardice and evil.
Live performance
During Pantera concerts in the mid-1990s, "Suicide Note Pt. I" would often be played on the PA, before the curtain dropped at the end of the song and "Suicide Note Pt. II" would start with dramatic effect.