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Renowned guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, PANTERA) is the newest guest on Billy Corgan‘s podcast, “The Magnificent Others”. Corgan and Wylde explore their mutual admiration for classic rock legends such as BLACK SABBATH, Jimi Hendrix, and Elton John, as well as the difficulties of creating a distinct sound while being inspired by icons like Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. Zakk shares insights about his journey with Ozzy Osbourne, how his playing style has evolved, his influences, and the camaraderie among musicians. The discussion also addresses the legacy of PANTERA, Zakk‘s tribute performances for the late PANTERA members “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and Vinnie Paul Abbott, and the driving spirit of perseverance in his career.
When discussing his role in the revitalized PANTERA, which includes classical members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass), along with Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) on drums, Zakk reflected: “My perspective has always been, whenever anyone asked me — back when Vinnie was still with us — there was a certain sentiment. They’d say, ‘Hey, Zakk, if the guys ever decide to have a reunion to honor Dime and all that, would you be interested?’ And I always replied, ‘Absolutely.’ I remember Rob Halford telling me during a tour opening for JUDAS PRIEST in South America [in late 2022], ‘This is a beautiful thing you guys are doing.’ I said, ‘Thanks, Rob. It’s not about if I’ll do it; it’s when I’ll do it,’ just like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton‘s partnership. If Hendrix‘s drummer Mitch and bassist Noel had asked Eric to celebrate Jimi, he’d surely say yes. I buried Dime and was a pallbearer. So what do you think I’d do? He was my friend.”
On his approach to performing with PANTERA, Zakk shared: “I always envision if Dime and Vinnie were at the soundboard. We’d say, ‘Here’s an early Christmas present for you guys.’ They loved having fun, partying, and barbecuing. And then we’d reveal, ‘Look what we’ve got for you.’ Picture them sitting in front of the stage, and then the curtain drops as we start with ‘A New Level’. The kabuki drops, and it’s me, Charlie, Phil, and Rex. I imagine them chuckling, especially if it was Dime up there, jamming out to Ozzy or ANTHRAX songs. It would just have that Dime feel, regardless. Just like when Randy Rhoads played ‘Paranoid’, it was unmistakably him. I picture them enjoying it every night, particularly with Rita [Haney, Dimebag‘s longtime girlfriend] on the side of the stage. Those guys truly loved life.”
Zakk mentioned that the feedback regarding the PANTERA revival has been incredibly positive. “Everyone who attends understands it’s a heartfelt tribute to the original members,” he noted. “It’s remarkable. Each night, Phil always asks, ‘How many of you saw PANTERA back in the day?’ You can see the PANTERA loyalists sharing their experiences, ‘I watched Dime and Vinnie when there were only eight people in the venue before they skyrocketed.’ It’s heartwarming. Then he asks how many have heard these songs live for the first time; I’d say about 75%. Lots of younger fans whose uncles like me told them stories about PANTERA and how incredible they were before it all ended.”
Wylde also expressed his theories on why PANTERA‘s music remains timeless. “What I usually say is what set SABBATH apart wasn’t just the heaviness, but the quality of their songs,” he explained. “As for PANTERA, in their realm of extreme metal, they set the gold standard. Just like SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES, and THE BEATLES are benchmarks, PANTERA represents the gold standard for extreme metal. If you’re discussing southern rock, it’s THE ALLMAN BROTHERS and LYNYRD SKYNYRD who set the bar. In the domain of extreme metal, everything’s gauged against what PANTERA achieved.”
PANTERA recently unveiled plans for a summer 2025 U.S. amphitheater tour. Presented by Live Nation, the tour will kick off on July 15 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, traveling through more than two dozen cities before concluding on September 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The lineup will also feature Swedish heavy metal legends AMON AMARTH.
PANTERA‘s upcoming live engagements follow their spring stadium shows alongside METALLICA and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, as well as a memorable U.K. performance as part of BLACK SABBATH and Ozzy Osbourne‘s historic final show alongside METALLICA, SLAYER, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, ALICE IN CHAINS, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, and more.
PANTERA began its 2025 European headlining tour on January 21 at Helsingin Jäähalli (Ice Hall) in Helsinki, Finland.
Before his passing in June 2018, Vinnie had remained at odds with Anselmo, whom he indirectly held responsible for Dimebag‘s death.
Vinnie Paul and Dimebag were the co-founders of PANTERA. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was tragically shot and killed onstage by a deranged individual who believed PANTERA‘s members were stealing his thoughts.
Vinnie, who was Dimebag‘s brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA disbanded in 2003. The tension worsened when Vinnie implied that comments made by the vocalist about Dimebag shortly before could have incited Dimebag‘s murderer.
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