PANTERA announced two new shows in Germany after the band was forced to cancel their scheduled festival performances due to a public uproar regarding the lead vocalist, Philip Anselmo‘s, prior racist remarks.
The newly-formed PANTERA lineup – featuring Anselmo and Rex Brown on bass, alongside Zakk Wylde on guitar (Ozzy Osbourne, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and Charlie Benante on drums (ANTHRAX) – was set to appear at Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park, two simultaneous festivals taking place June 2-4 in Nürburgring and Nürnberg. After thorough conversations with performers, associates and fans, the festival organizers have decided to take PANTERA off the lineup.
Not long after, PANTERA‘s concert at Vienna’s Gasometer on May 31st was also called off.
The band will now perform on June 2 at Schleyer-Halle in Stuttgart and on June 3 at Messe Dresden in Dresden.
The majority of the criticism came from Anselmo‘s N*zi-like salutation at the “Dimebash” celebration for the late PANTERA guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott in January 2016 at Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood. He seemed to say “white power” with the movement, yet later clarified that he was only joking about consuming white wine backstage and was responding to the spectators up front who, he said, were mocking him.
PANTERA is embarking on a North American tour this summer with LAMB OF GOD as their special guests. Tickets are on sale now at this location.
One of the most anticipated tours of 2023, this celebration tour includes surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) joined by guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX).
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.
