During an interview on The Break Down With Nath & Johnny, drummer Mike Wengren from DISTURBED, who recently performed alongside PANTERA at Knotfest Australia, was asked about his preference for which band he’d be eager to step in for and perform a show with.
He responded: “Oh, I mean, honestly, if they told me, like, somebody took Charlie [Benante, PANTERA drummer] out tonight, I think I could step in. Actually, you know what? Let me make sure I clarify this. All respect to Charlie, ’cause he’s killin it, man. He is doing everything in his power to make it sound like Vinnie [Paul Abbott] is up there. There’s nobody in the world that could actually do that. Charlie was so, so close with the [Abbott] brothers, and it’s awesome. So, let me make sure I say that first. ‘Cause all those guys are my bros. I’m just saying as a huge PANTERA fan, I think I know most of the songs in the back of my head already. I can probably pull it off. I got probably 80 percent of [the set down already].”
PANTERA, consisting of Phil Anselmo on vocals, Rex Brown on bass, Zakk Wylde on guitar, and Charlie Benante on drums, is set to headline major festivals in North America, South America, and Europe. Additionally, they will be performing their own headline concerts and supporting METALLICA on a massive stadium tour in 2024. This marks a significant moment for PANTERA fans, as it is the first time the band’s surviving members have come together for live performances in over two decades.
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.
