In a recent chat with Ultimate Guitar, Zakk Wylde got into the nitty-gritty of why he’s hitting the road with a revamped PANTERA crew.
This new PANTERA gang, featuring Phil Anselmo on vocals, Rex Brown on bass, Zakk Wylde shredding the guitar, and Charlie Benante pounding the drums, is all set to rock big stages across North America, South America, and Europe. They’re not just headlining major festivals but also doing their solo gigs and teaming up with METALLICA for a colossal stadium tour in 2024. It’s a massive deal for die-hard PANTERA fans, marking the first time in over twenty years that the surviving band members are jamming live together.
Zakk opened up about feeling the presence of his late buddy Dimebag Darrell throughout this journey. He mentioned how signs—like seeing the number “333” (Dimebag’s lucky number) on license plates or random encounters with Dime-related stuff—kept popping up during rehearsals and even recently at Madison Square Garden. These little nudges felt like Dime’s way of pushing them forward, almost like he’s saying, “Hey, notice me, guys!”
On “The Metallica Report,” Phil and Rex dove deeper into PANTERA’s comeback. Phil expressed the empowerment and love they feel onstage now compared to their warlike younger days. Singing the songs without the anger is a relief for him, while Rex marveled at Charlie’s spot-on drumming, reminiscent of Vinnie Paul’s style.
They also gave props to Charlie and Zakk for their enthusiasm and unique legacies, acknowledging them as valuable additions to the PANTERA family. Rex even got a bit emotional hearing Charlie nail Vinnie’s drum parts so perfectly, feeling like the foundation was solid.
When asked about carrying Vinnie and Dime’s spirit, Phil believed that the old crew would cheer them on from above, wanting their legacy to thrive.
Billboard reports that the lineup got the nod from Vinnie and Dime’s estates, along with Rex, who initially wasn’t keen on touring with Zakk but evidently had a change of heart.
