Festival takes place Sept 7-10 in VA

Pantera has been announced as one of eight headliners for Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2023. The event runs September 7-10 in Alton, VA and also features Flyleaf, Jinjer, Dropout Kings, Escape the Fate and dozens of others.

The newly formed group featuring original members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante will be playing the US for the first time in over 20 years as part of Metallica’s M72 World Tour in 2023 and 2024. Metallica is set to play a No Repeat Weekend featuring two nights with two different set lists and opening acts in the round at the 50 Yard Line. Pantera will join Mammoth WVH for each US city’s opening Friday night concert through August 2024.

Pantera has announced nearly two dozen festival appearances throughout South America and Europe for 2022-2023. The four piece will pay homage to the late Abbott Brothers who founded the classic metal band in the 1980s. The band will also headline Rock Fest in Wisconsin in July 2023.

Pantera has just completed their first shows in over 20 years, captivating fans around the world and drawing acclaim from some of the most respected musicians on the planet. The group performed December 2nd as co-headliners on opening night of Mexico’s Hell & Heaven Metal Fest. They also headlined the Monterrey Metal Festival on December 6th before heading to South America for a slew of dates as part of Slipknot’s Knotfest.

Bassist Rex Brown was diagnosed with COVID and unable to play Sunday and Monday shows in Chile. Cattle Decapitation bassist Derek Engemann filled in after Brown was flown home where he confirmed he will rejoin the band in the new year.

“I caught a very mild strain of COVID, but because of our own protocols, I simply do not wanna risk getting my brothers or the crew sick!! I’m feeling better & am on my way to a speedy recovery. Merry Fckn Christmas & see you all next year!” he says.

The group’s first European shows in 22 years take place June 2-4 at Rock Am Ring in Nürburgring and Rock Im Park in Nürnberg. The two simultaneous rock festivals will also see Machine Gun Kelly, Tenacious D, Evanescence, Yungblud, Papa Roach, NOFX and more perform. They’ve also announced a headlining performance at the Norwegian rock and metal festival Tons of Rock 2023, taking place June 22-24 in Oslo, Norway. Ghost, Gojira, Behemoth, Clutch, Mayhem, and others will also perform throughout the three day event. They will also headline opening night of Finland’s three day Rockfest on June 8, 2023 in Hyvinkää and the final night of the 2023 Sweden Rock Festival on June 10th.