In a brand new interview with Final Guitar, Zakk Wylde spoke in regards to the choice to tour with a reformed model of PANTERA, additionally that includes surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass),alongside Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) on drums. The lineup has reportedly been given a inexperienced gentle by the estates of PANTERA‘s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott.
Zakk stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I really feel [Dimebag] on a regular basis. Even after we have been on the brink of do the [PANTERA tour in 2022], [the early] rehearsals, they usually have been simply determining how we have been gonna do that, there’d be indicators in all places, whether or not [it was] a license plate that might be, like, ‘333’ [three being Dimebag‘s favorite number], or I would run into like a Dimebag license plate in the midst of nowhere. It was simply, like, him simply pushing this factor alongside, keen it to occur. So he is simply at all times round. Once we have been in New York, identical to indicators, after we simply did [a headlining show at] the [Madison Square] Backyard [in February 2024], my spouse Barbaranne was, like, Test this out.’ One thing got here up and it simply reminded us of Dime, and I used to be like, ‘Wow, that is loopy.’ Or we’d look on our cellphone and it could be ‘333’. It is simply these indicators in every single place. And I may see Dime simply doing it, going, ‘I hope these idiots notice it is me sending these indicators.’ [Laughs]”
The reformed PANTERA is headlining a lot of main festivals throughout North America, South America and Europe and staging a few of its personal headline live shows. They’re additionally supporting METALLICA on an enormous stadium tour in 2024.
It was first reported in July 2022 that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour below the PANTERA banner.
Throughout a current look on “Drinks With Johnny”, the Web TV present hosted by AVENGED SEVENFOLD bassist Johnny Christ, Zakk was requested how he, Philip, Rex and Charlie all “got here collectively to determine that this was the appropriate time, the appropriate group to pay homage to the mighty PANTERA“. The guitarist stated: “Properly, BLACK LABEL [SOCIETY] and DOWN, we did some exhibits collectively in 2014, we did a tour, and it was nice. ‘Trigger I’ve recognized Phil [who also sings for DOWN] and Pepper [Keenan, DOWN guitarist] and all the fellows, and Jimmy Bower [DOWN drummer], Father Bower Energy, over there for some time. It was only a bunch of pals going out doing exhibits collectively. And we did some PANTERA stuff then, after which Father Rex got here out and we jammed ‘I am Damaged’ and stuff like that, and it was a whole lot of enjoyable. And it is at all times been rumored for years. I simply stated that is at all times on the fellas. Me and Charlie are buds, and we’ll be right here to help our pals, no matter they wanna do. So when Phil referred to as me up sooner or later, he was, like, ‘Zakk, you wanna get collectively and do that? We’re fascinated about me, Rex and Charlie and your self, and we’ll exit and pay tribute to Dime and Vinnie.’ I used to be, like, ‘After all. I at all times stated I’d be there for you guys if you felt the time was proper to do it.'”
He continued: “However, yeah, we simply received collectively and did the rehearsals down in New Orleans after which we have been rolling ever since. We simply did the [Madison Square] Backyard and every part like that, with LAMB OF GOD and the fellows and every part like that. So it was nice. So simply searching each evening and seeing individuals taking a visit down reminiscence lane, the those that have seen the unique PANTERA… When Phil says each evening, he is simply, like, ‘How many individuals, that is their first time ever seeing PANTERA?’ And all of the youthful those that by no means received an opportunity to see ’em [raise their hands]. It simply actually is a fantastic factor.
“I at all times say it each evening, after we have been enjoying the Backyard, it is identical to if Dime and Vinnie have been proper there on the aspect of the stage, I would go, ‘Take a look at what you guys created.’ So it is actually particular. I believe it is only a lovely factor each evening paying honor and tribute to Dime and Vinnie each evening, Phil and Rex and Dime and Vinnie, this factor that they created that brings so many individuals pleasure. So, I simply assume it is a fantastic factor each evening.”
Zakk beforehand mentioned his involvement with PANTERA in a February 2024 interview with Chuck Armstrong of Loudwire Nights. On the time, he stated: “Everyone in the entire camp, it is all nice individuals. And it is loopy, as a result of we have recognized one another for years, however you find yourself realizing, even with the crew and every part like that, all these individuals you have recognized for years — I imply, those that I have been with once I began with Ozzy [Osbourne] and every part like that. So, it is simply a good time on the market, man, for certain. After which, clearly, celebrating Vinnie and Dime each evening, it is simply superior.
“The attractive factor about music is, all of the bands that we love, whether or not it is ZEPPELIN or [BLACK] SABBATH, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS or Elton John or PANTERA or no matter, everyone has their connection to that music,” he continued. “That is probably the most highly effective factor about music. I imply, you hear stuff, it simply transports you again to if you have been 13 years previous, 14 years previous, the place you have been and what you have been doing when that music was happening. So, for thus many individuals — it is wonderful ‘trigger Phil at all times does it at like virtually each evening, he is simply, like, ‘How many individuals noticed PANTERA again within the day?’ And everyone, clearly, you may have all of the PANTERA devoted. After which he goes, ‘How many individuals, that is their first time seeing PANTERA?’ It is mind-blowing. I imply, I would say it is virtually like 60-40, 70-30 generally, the place it is, like, ‘Wow. That’s wonderful.’
“I by no means received an opportunity to see ZEPPELIN again within the day, so to see… After I went and noticed the [Jimmy] Web page and [Robert] Plant factor with the orchestra and every part, that was simply wonderful, as a result of I by no means received an opportunity to see them again within the day. So, simply the ability of the music, to see it dwell was simply… I noticed ’em at Brendan Byrne Area [in East Rutherford, New Jersey in April 1995] after we have been engaged on [Ozzy Osbourne‘s 1995 album] ‘Ozzmosis’. I received tickets and we went all the way down to the gig that evening, and it was wonderful — ‘trigger I by no means I by no means received an opportunity to see it again within the day. So, it is just about the identical, ‘trigger I do know I used to be getting chills once I was watching it. So, yeah, it is a fantastic factor, man.”
Zakk was additionally requested if he can be open to engaged on new materials with PANTERA. He stated: “Nah, I do not assume so. Each time Phil says that and all of the youthful youngsters are screaming and yelling, after they put the home lights on and everybody’s received their fists up within the air ‘trigger that is the primary time [they’re seeing PANTERA live], I simply have a look at like Vinnie and Dime, in the event that they have been on the aspect of the stage, and go, ‘See what you guys created.’ So it is simply, like, yeah, it is superior. It really is, man. However, no, I do not assume [the plan is] to file [as PANTERA]. I imply, it might be like if [Eric] Clapton was enjoying with [drummer] Mitch [Mitchell] and [bassist] Noel [Redding], honoring Jimi [Hendrix], they don’t seem to be gonna go in and file [and call it] THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE with Eric Clapton. [Laughs] I do not assume something like that. Clearly, if we have been ever to do something, it could be below a distinct identify. Like Jimmy Web page, if he was enjoying with Paul Rodgers and every part, it is THE FIRM; they don’t seem to be going out as LED ZEPPELIN.”
Up till his passing in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking phrases with Anselmo, whom the drummer not directly blamed for Dimebag‘s dying.
Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. On December 8, 2004, whereas performing with DAMAGEPLAN on the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA have been stealing his ideas.
Vinnie, who was Dimebag‘s brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA cut up in 2003. However the relationship received much more acrimonious when Vinnie instructed that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print simply weeks earlier may need incited Dimebag‘s killer.