In an interview at last month’s Bloodstock Open Air festival, EYEHATEGOD‘s Jimmy Bower and Mike IX Williams have weighed in on the news that PANTERA‘s surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) will unite with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.
Speaking to Hayley Leggs of TotalRock, Jimmy, who also plays with Anselmo in DOWN, said: “I think it’s f**king awesome. I think it’s beautiful. I think there’s a lot of fans that have never had a chance to see it, and I think it’s a great way to tribute the band. A hundred percent blessing from me, man.”
Williams added: “Phil‘s a friend, so, yeah, I’m happy to see it happen… It’s great. I think it’s great. Everybody’s saying it’s gonna be a little strange without the Abbott brothers, but it is what it is.”
“Of course it will [be strange without the Abbott brothers],” Bower continued. [But] I think the Abbott brothers would a hundred percent have blessed it.”
This past February, Phil Anselmo spoke to The Pit about what he thought the band’s late guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott would say about PANTERA‘s legacy.
Anselmo said: “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-f*cking-utely, dude. That would be their biggest dream.”
According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band’s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn’t tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It’s unclear what changed his mind.
Anselmo and Brown have signed with Artist Group International to book their North American dates. Dennis Arfa and Peter Pappalardo will be the responsible agents.
“We are thrilled to be working with such an iconic band and bringing their music back to the fans,” comments Pappalardo.
