Their stop in Charm City was the last US date on their North American tour
A reunited Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown took the stage alongside guitarist Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benatie at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on Saturday night (Feb 24th) as part of Pantera’s triumphant return to touring.
Reformed in 2022, the band has had a nonstop schedule including headline and festival dates and opening for Metallica on the band’s mammoth two-year M72 tour. The band has reformed to honor the legacy of co-founding brothers Vinnie Paul, who died in 2018 of heart disease, and guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott, who was shot to death during a performance in 2004.
The band raged through 13 of their hits in their signature aggressive style. Anselmo has a voice that can pierce through the kerosene-drenched instrumentals. In one song, he may break out the screamo mode, or sing the melody of a chorus. Such was the case on set starter “A New Level.” That is deceptive versatility.
Brown spent most of the set hunched over his bass like Gollum over his Precious, hair flowing as he played the complex lines in songs like “Mouth of War.” The bass uniquely informs Pantera’s music, offering the bedrock that Benante fills in on top.
Enter guitarist Zakk Wylde, a legend in the metal scene. The Black Label Society founder was also integral to Ozzy Osborne’s live sound following the death of Randy Rhoades. He colors the music, offering a subtle melody that’s easy to lock into.
The set featured a wall of gigantic stage amps, many foggers, and some snakes anchoring the stage on either side capped off with Pantera’s emblem. In a classy move, Anselmo wore the t-shirt of the first opener, Snafu. It is always great to see legends supporting up-and-comers.
Anselmo proved among the most amiable of heavy metal frontmen. He thanked the “parents of the 90s” for bringing up the 20-and-30-somethings that made up most of the packed crowd. Remarking on their energy compared to another tour stop the night before, he exclaimed, “Baltimore, you kicked New York City’s ass!”
This current iteration of Pantera is a supergroup of heavy mental players. That seems intentional on Brown and Anselmo’s part.
“Every song we play goes out to Dimebag and Vinnie,” Anselmo declared early on. Throughout the night, it was clear the fans had come to honor the Abbott brothers who were well respected within the metal community. Something in Anselmo and Brown’s playing carried their memories in the notes. For a tour called “For Legacy,” it certainly is.
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