Photo by Scott Legato/Getty Images

Reactions have been a mix of celebration and skepticism since Pantera announced the lineup for their upcoming tour. Guitarist Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, drummer of Anthrax, will be joining the surviving members of Pantera (who formally broke up in 2003) for their 2023 concerts.

Pantera has suffered major tragedies throughout their career beginning when their guitarist Dimebag Darrell was murdered onstage in 2004 followed by the death of drummer Vinnie Paul in 2018. Some fans feel that Pantera is not “Pantera” without Darrell and Paul.

Zakk Wylde somewhat agrees with these fans’ opinions and believes that the tour will be a “Pantera tribute, ” but he is honored to contribute to the shows. He explained his thoughts during an interview with Danny Wimmer Presents stating, “it could be like Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell asking Eric Clapton if he would go out and honor Jimi [Hendrix], and Eric playing Jimi’s stuff and singing Jimi’s songs, and they’re going out as the Jimi Hendrix celebration. And he’s gonna honor his buddy and he’s gonna play his songs.”

Wylde continued, “It’s a celebration of Dime’s greatness. It’s a Pantera celebration, that’s what it is – you’re celebrating Vinnie and Dime’s greatness and you’re celebrating all the mountains that Pantera conquered and crushed.”

We are excited to see Pantera continue with an extraordinary lineup of musicians.

Watch Pantera perform live at Ozzfest 2000 here: