Pantera Reunion 2023

Is it about remembering the music or making money?

Probably the most divisive controversy in the heavy music industry now is the “Pantera” announcement from earlier this month. In case you don’t know the two surviving members of “Pantera” are hitting the road with Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante on drums. If you weren’t a fan keep scrolling, this doesn’t mean anything to you, and this is just my point of view. #Pantera #PanteraReunion

If you don’t know, Pantera kept the metal genre alive and going during the 1990s when Grunge killed so many other heavy bands. Dime kept shredding and technical guitar playing alive during a time when people were just plugging in and banging out crap sounds and calling it “music” when musical ability wasn’t “cool” at the time. Pantera was one of the last bands like Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax and Megadeth that were beyond the trend. It didn’t matter what was happening in music because they were carving their own path. They never had a hit single like Metallica but they had a fan base that equaled them.

At the end of the day, this is all about money. From what I have read and learned that the estates for Vinnie and Dime have signed off on this. It’s going to happen regardless of what people think, because of money. No matter what your mixed feelings are about it, its is going to happen whether you like it or not. Money is the key motivation here, not music.

From my perspective there are two camps: the Anselmo camp and the Abbott camp. If you are in the Phil Anselmo camp, then you are probably absolutely loving this news. If you are in the Vinnie and Dime Abbott camp you are probably thinking, how can they have this as “Pantera” without the brothers.

Here is my opinion. Phil Anselmo is seeing a chance to make some major money now that Vinnie has died because he (Vinnie) was the only one standing between them (Phil & Rex) from doing more Pantera shows. This part of the story the music media aren’t saying. Vinnie still blamed Phil for what he said in the press that led to Dime’s murder. I remember what he said to this day. And shortly thereafter in Columbus, OH this sick person shows up with a gun and shoots Dime on stage among others. Go watch the Behind the Music on Pantera. He says that very thing if they haven’t edited it out by now. The press isn’t going to mention that because it might actually turn fans away from buying tickets, because it is all about money. Vinnie was the only person standing between Phil and that massive fan base. Now that obstacle isn’t there.

Phil Anselmo has been doing shows with all Pantera music for a while now and was doing so opening on Slayer’s farewell tour. That is a fact. Now Phil and Rex can make some major money by the billing shows as “Pantera” because of the brand. None of Phil’s or Rex’s other projects, Down, Superjoint Ritual, Kill Devil Hill, whatever, compare to the success they had with Pantera. From a business perspective, it’s the smartest business decision you can make. There is an entire generation of metal fans that have never seen Pantera live (and technically they still won’t) in a concert setting. All they’ve gotten so far is Phil’s bargain basement version as a solo artist. It will be the biggest event in heavy music that we’ve seen in a long time.

Also, Zakk and Charlie look to take home quite the paycheck as well. Let’s be honest. Anthrax was the smaller of the Big Four and wound-up opening for Pantera. As much as I love Zakk’s Black Label Society, its nowhere near the following of Pantera. I do give Rex and Phil props for their selection because they are logical choices. Dime was like the 6th member of Anthrax appearing on multiple recordings. Plus Zakk and Dime’s bro-mance is well known and their brotherhood eternal.

I will be very curious how they market it because those rumors are still kicking around with some uncertainty. Whether it is going to be a tribute or straight up Pantera is not entirely known. Will they just do some shows or will they go into the studio and try to crank out new music? I wonder if this is how Lynard Skynard fans felt. I am curious what guitars Zakk will play. We know Dime gave him many of of his signature models. Will Zakk use this opportunity to release at new Dime Signature model under his brand Wylde Audio? I am willing to bet money that is the plan. It is the smart move.

So where do I sit in case you’re wondering? I am definitely in the Abbott camp. I was a Dime fan. He was another Randy Rhoads in the making, though we got more from Dime than we did Randy. I never saw Pantera live but I had plans to see his follow up band Damage Plan but those plans were cut short due to Dime’s untimely death. Who Dime was juxtaposed to Phil were two totally different people. Needless to say, I liked who Dime was more than Phil. I am not saying Phil isn’t talented in his own right but I’ve never cared for his personality. But big personalities a celebrity makes. But like Vinnie, I drew a direct correlation between what Phil said in the press to Dime’s murder. Obviously, Phil didn’t say go shoot that guy but he said, “someone should hurt that guy.”

Alas, that is what happened. Why? Because it was all about money. And that is what all this “Pantera” reunion business is about; money. I am not telling you to save your money. I have no doubts that they will be awesome shows. There will be a lot of money behind them. But at the end of the day, it won’t be Pantera without the brothers Abbott. But that’s just my opinion from the bottom end.