The two surviving classic Pantera members Phil Anselmo (Vocals) and Rex Brown (Bass) announced a reunion featuring drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) and guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy, Black Label Society) but had scheduled dates only for South America and Mexico so far. Now they announced their two first concerts in Europe that will happen in 2023 in Germany.
Original Guitarist Dimebag Darrell was tragically killed back in 2003 at the age of 38 and his brother, the drummer Vinnie Paul died back in 2018 at the age of 54. The reunion project reportedly received green light from the representatives of the late musicians.
The next Pantera concerts
December
- 2 – Heaven and Hell Festival – Mexico City
- 6 – Monterrey Metal Fest – Monterrey
- 9 – Knotfest Colombia – Bogotá, Colombia
- 11 – Knotfest Chile – Santiago, Chile
- 12 – Movistar Arena – Santiago, Chile
- 15 – Vibra São Paulo – São Paulo, Brazil
- 18 – Knotfest Brazil – São Paulo, Brazil
June (2023)
- Jun. 2-4 – Nürburgring, Germany – Rock Am Ring
- Jun. 2-4 – Nürnberg, Germany – Rock Im Park
The group was formed in 1982 in Arlington, Texas and started as a Glam Metal band, later on changing their sound. It was with the release of their fifth album “Cowboys From Hell” (1990) that the band became famous, releasing more four successful records: “Vulgar Display of Power” (1992), “Far Beyond Driven” (1994), “The Great Southern Trendkill” (1996), “Reinventing the Steel” (2000).
Guitarist Zakk Wylde, who was a friend of the late Dimebag Darrell, talked in an interview with Danny Wimmer Presents (Transcribed by Blabbermouth) about the upcoming reunion, saying:
“When Vinnie was still alive, when the fellows were all talking about doing it, I just always told ’em, I said, ‘Of course I would… If you asked me, why would I not do it? I’m gonna honor Dime.’ It could be like Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell asking Eric Clapton if he would go out and honor Jimi (Hendrix) and Eric playing Jimi’s stuff and singing Jimi’s songs and they’re going out as the ‘Jimi Hendrix celebration.’”
He continued:
“And he’s gonna honor his buddy and he’s gonna play his songs. I think it’s a beautiful thing. It’s like when we do the ‘Dimebash’, it’s a celebration of Dime’s greatness. It’s a Pantera celebration — that’s what it is… You’re celebrating Vinnie and Dime’s greatness and you’re celebrating all the mountains that Pantera conquered and crushed.”
“Obviously, it’s not Pantera. Pantera is those four guys — it’s Phil, Rex, Dime and Vinnie. But it’s just like when Zeppelin went out with Jason Bonham playing, it was phenomenal. It told Jason, I was just, like, ‘Dude, you crushed it, man.’ It’s a great thing just to hear them play that music again. I’m beyond honored to be a part of it,” Zakk Wylde said.
