It would appear that Phil Anselmo may have already addressed his sentiments in regards to next year’s Pantera reunion, even if the public didn’t know it at the time. According to this recent interview with Zakk Wylde & Anthrax‘s Charlie Benante, Anselmo first approached Benante about reuniting the group in December of last year. Benante went on to specify that things then became official in January/February of this year.
Given that timeline, a seemingly standard question put towards Anselmo by The Pit in February of this year now holds more meaning. Anselmo was asked during that interview what he thought the group’s late brotherly duo of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott would say about Pantera‘s legacy, he responded:
“Dimebag and Vince always wanted this band to be a legacy band, to be massive, to be our own conduit to success, simply put. I think Dime and Vince — I know Dime and Vince — would want the legacy and the name of Pantera to go on and on and on and in everybody’s damn face. I know that for sure. Abso-fucking-utely, dude. That would be their biggest dream.”
Following an acrimonious breakup in 2003 that led to a bitter war of words in the press that some feel may have contributed to the onstage murder of “Dimebag” in 2004, Vinnie Paul remained opposed to ever reuniting with Anselmo seemingly up until his death in 2018.
Anselmo will be helming the vocal duties for the returning Pantera next year with the band’s bassist/vocalist Rex Brown. Zakk Wylde will be taking over for “Dimebag”, while Benante will be handling the drumming duties. Both musicians had a long friendship with the Abbott brothers. Thus far dates or an official announcement from the Pantera camp has yet to be issued, but both North American and European shows are being planned for the trek.
[via Blabbermouth.net]
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