Zakk Wylde Speaks On Being Recruited For 2023 Pantera Reunion Touring: “I Think It’s A Beautiful Thing”

After years of on-again/off-again rumors, guitar hero Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society/Ozzy Osbourne fame was confirmed as the live replacement for the late “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott” in the recently announced 2023 reunion of multi-platinum groove metal legends Pantera.

While the Pantera camp has yet to publicly address the matter, Billboard.com have reported that both Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante will be joining the Texan metal heavyweight’s surviving classic era lineup of vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist/vocalist Rex Brown on the road next year. Benante will be of course be assuming the role of Dimebag‘s late brother, Vinnie Paul Abbott.

This weekend saw Wylde confirm his in involvement in a chat with Matt Pinfield and Jose Mangin. Wylde stated:

“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.’

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.”

Thus far the band’s plans, which include North American and European touring, are being viewed as a tribute to the band’s legacy more than a new version of the group. He stated of that:

“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.”