Pantera‘s most recent live reunion/celebration took place without bassist/vocalist Rex Brown. The celebrated Texan outfit hit the stage at the Estadio Monumental in Santiago, Chile today, December 11th, for a performance at Slipknot‘s ‘Knotfest Chile‘ concert. However, as many fans soon noticed, Brown was not a part of the show.
A statement on Brown‘s absence was issued by the festival itself. Roughly translated, that statement reads as follows:
“Regarding the absence of Rex Brown.
The guitarist of the band Pantera Rex Brown, could not appear in the first version of Knotfest due to health problems.
We regret this situation. However, the show was carried out with total normality.
We hope that you resume your activities in our country and can continue with the band’s presentations.”
A local radio station, reported the presently unconfirmed news that Brown didn’t play the show due to contracting COVID-19. The band’s camp has yet to comment on this.
This month saw the long-awaited live return of the groove metal champions, with the first shows under the Pantera name having taken place in over 20 years having officially taken place. In addition to the returning Brown, vocalist Phil Anselmo is back fronting this new era of the band.
Guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) were enlisted to replace the group’s late brotherly duo of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott respectively.
In light of Brown‘s absence, Pantera hired on former Cattle Decapitation bassist Derek Engemann to fill-in during today’s set. Engemann is no stranger to the Pantera catalog, having been serving as a member of Anselmo‘s Philip H Anselmo And The Illegals outfit (among other Anselmo projects) in recent years. Anselmo and The Illegals have frequently played Pantera tribute sets consisting solely of key tracks from the band’s revered catalog.
Initial footage of Pantera playing live with Engemann on bass can be found below. The Pantera reunion tour will continue on as follows:
12/12 Santiago, CHL – Movistar Arena
12/15 São Paulo, BRA – Vibra São Paulo (feat. Judas Priest)
12/18 São Paulo, BRA – Knotfest Brazil
05/26 Sofia, BUL – Armeets Arena
05/27 Bucharest, ROM – Metalhead Meeting Open Air Festival
05/30 Budapest, HUN – Barba Negra
05/31 Vienna, AUT – Gasometer
06/02-04 Nürburg, GER – Rock am Ring
06/02-04 Nuremberg, GER – Rock im Park
06/05 Lodz, POL – Atlas Arena
06/08-10 Hyvinkaa, FIN – Rock Fest
06/10 Solvesborg, SWE – Sweden Rock Festival
06/12 Prague, CZE – O2 Arena
06/13 Berlin, GER – Verti Music Hall
06/15 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhell
06/21 Hamburg, GER – Edel Optics
06/22-24 Oslo, NOR – Tons Of Rock
07/02 Bologna, ITA – The Return Of The Gods Festival
08/04 East Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/11 Montreal, QC – Stade Olympique (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/18 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/25 Los Angeles, CA – Sofi Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
09/01 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
11/03 St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
11/10 Detroit, MI – Ford Field (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
2024:
08/02 Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/09 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/16 Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/23 Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/30 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
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