Cemetery Gates (7:02)

“Cemetery Gates” is a song by heavy metal band Pantera. The song is the fifth track from Cowboys from Hell, the band’s fifth album and second with lead singer Phil Anselmo (though the band considers it their first “true” album, officially ignoring their earlier independent releases). “Cemetery Gates” showcases Anselmo’s vocal ability and range, concluding with screaming high notes answered by Dimebag Darrell on guitar in a trade off. The lyrics lament the death of a female relative or friend and the prospect of dying or committing suicide and rejoining her in the afterlife. Presumably, the song is fictitious and not based on any real acquaintance of the band.

“Cemetery Gates” received a large amount of air-play by rock stations, and has become one of Pantera’s most popular songs. Guitar World magazine readers voted the song’s solo the 35th greatest of all-time, which was Dimebag’s 2nd highest ranking solo (after “Floods”)

After Dimebag’s death, the song was performed by Dream Theater as a tribute during Gigantour. The band was joined on stage by Russell Allen of Symphony X for the first verse, Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory for the second verse and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth for the ending solo.