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The Jim Powers channel on YouTube has shared a video featuring PANTERA‘s full performance on May 25 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they provided support for METALLICA. Watch the footage below.
Highlighted tracks:
03:11 – A New Level
08:21 – Mouth For War
13:28 – Strength Beyond Strength
18:45 – Becoming
22:57 – I’m Broken
27:27 – Cemetery Gates (intro only)
28:18 – 5 Minutes Alone
34:27 – This Love
42:34 – Fucking Hostile
46:25 – Walk
52:35 – Domination / Hollow
56:20 – Cowboys From Hell
PANTERA has recently unveiled plans for a U.S. amphitheater tour in summer 2025. Organized by Live Nation, the tour will kick off on July 15 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and will tour over two dozen cities, concluding on September 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Swedish heavy metal legends AMON AMARTH will be the supporting act.
Featuring classic members, vocalist Philip H. Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, along with guitarist Zakk Wylde and drummer Charlie Benante, PANTERA‘s new series of live performances honors the memory of late founding members, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. This tour follows PANTERA‘s spring stadium shows with METALLICA and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, as well as a notable U.K. concert during BLACK SABBATH‘s and Ozzy Osbourne‘s historic farewell show, featuring METALLICA, SLAYER, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, ALICE IN CHAINS, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON, and others.
PANTERA commenced its 2025 European headlining tour on January 21 at Helsingin Jäähalli (Ice Hall) in Helsinki, Finland.
In a recent interview with Sweetwater, Brown discussed the choice to tour with a revamped version of PANTERA. The lineup has reportedly received approval from the estates of PANTERA‘s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott. Rex shared: “During the last show, I felt a chill, something unusual. It was like a cold presence. I’ve experienced this before. While recording with Charlie— we spent about eighty to a hundred hours before Zakk started rehearsing. Zakk was still on tour, so we focused on tightening the bass and drums with a scratch guitarist. I sensed that same chill again. To me, they are like angels. I think you know who I’m talking about. They are watching over us, and I think they are pleased with what they see. I really do. That’s how I approach this connection with Charlie and Zakk. It’s getting better and better; the potential to get even tighter is immense.”
Reflecting on the chance to share PANTERA‘s music with new fans who never witnessed the band live, Rex expressed: “This band carries many memories that are hard to encapsulate. Losing brothers made me think this day would never come. Now, 22 years later, witnessing the faces of new fans is incredible. One kid is crying, while another is saying, ‘You nailed it.’ It’s amazing to see.”
In April 2024, Rex spoke with American Musical Supply about how touring with PANTERA in 2024 differs from the band’s heyday. He remarked: “This experience is entirely different. We have Charlie and Zakk, who have been great friends for years. We get along exceptionally well. Charlie and I spent about eighty to a hundred hours recording all the songs we planned to perform, and others we wanted to include. We worked on this for six months before even entering a rehearsal space. That illustrates how close we are. Charlie has been one of my best companions for years. This feels like a different band. It’s challenging to step into the shoes of our late brothers, yet this has evolved into a cohesive unit. Zakk adds a unique touch… Dime was one-of-a-kind, and he was my best friend, and seeing those memories replayed is what tonight is about for me.”
When discussing how he and the current PANTERA lineup balance honoring the band’s legacy with any new ambitions, Rex noted: “We have numerous ways to keep this legacy alive, as the music is still thriving. A whole new generation of fans might not have discovered this music without our performances. These fans—particularly the 15-to-18-year-olds—will eventually have children, which ensures continuity of the legacy. Phillip mentions the parents of the ’90s during the set, a meaningful reference as it’s all about gratitude.
“We’re not doing this for ourselves; we’re doing it for the name and legacy of PANTERA,” he declared. “This music needs to be heard once more. It truly does. It has needed this for ages. And we are dedicating ourselves to ensuring our music is appreciated tonight… it’s a privilege to honor my melodies, Dime‘s riffs, the patterns Vinnie played, and Phil’s contributions — all of which greatly shaped our music.”
Also in April 2024, Rex told Rolling Stone Australia about performing with PANTERA in 2024: “Two of our beloved brothers are no longer with us; that’s part of life. They’re not here, and that’s just the way things are, man.”
He commented: “We’re not a tribute act—Philip and I get to play our songs that we haven’t performed in 23 years. The ability to do this and connect with the magnitude of what has transpired is extraordinarily surreal, you know?”
Discussing PANTERA‘s recent lineup changes, Rex mentioned: “We understood who would fit and who wouldn’t. After we prepared—Charlie and I practiced for dozens of hours recording every PANTERA song possible. Having that foundation between the drummer and bassist is critical. When Zakk joined us, we had to revisit many aspects repeatedly to achieve that closeness. Today, this band is as tight and powerful as I desire. That’s all I need to say on that.”
“This group is truly on fire, and I couldn’t be happier,” he added. “I can’t convey how happy I am about this.”
Rex previously indicated to AndrewHaug.com that he is “absolutely” willing to create new music with the reformed PANTERA. “Sure, I could say more, but I won’t,” he teased.
Earlier in the conversation, Brown shared his experience of performing as PANTERA for a new generation of fans.
“You can’t capture that vibe on YouTube; you have to experience it live,” he explained. “We’re avoiding interviews to encourage people to attend the show. It’s not about the past—just the performance tonight.
“We are thrilled by these new fans who have never encountered this before; it’s an entirely different generation. We didn’t realize there were this many people still listening to us, and the turnout has been unbelievable,” Rex continued. “Naturally, we faced skepticism at first, but with each gig, we’ve grown tighter. I’ve been focused on rehearsing this band as much as possible, and we often simply jam just for the joy of it. That’s how you become a cohesive band.”
It was first reported in July 2022 that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a worldwide tour under the PANTERA name.
When asked about the experience of playing those “timeless” tracks again, Rex told AndrewHaug.com: “You nailed it—they’re timeless. Having the chance to play them again is significant. These songs mean a lot to Philip and me. We respect our late brothers, who I believe are watching over us. Their spirit is with us, and that connection is vital.”
“I’m not some eccentric old man; I understand why we are here,” Rex added. “We carry a heavy responsibility, and we’ve exceeded expectations. I’m immensely proud of Charlie, Zakk, and Phillip for rising to the occasion. We are all very close friends; there’s a family bond with Jerry Cantrell and the rest of ALICE IN CHAINS. We always had each other’s backs, regardless of our challenges. We’ve matured and can appreciate this journey more than we could before, and I feel 25 years younger. It’s unbelievable.”
Addressing concerns from fans about Brown and Anselmo touring under the PANTERA name without Dimebag and Vinnie Paul, Rex stated: “I consider this PANTERA. The show serves as a tribute to all four of us. Two of us are sadly no longer here, and we can’t bring them back. I wish we could. But we’re doing our best to keep the music alive, and I believe they are smiling down, saying, ‘You’re doing fine, man.’ They are with us, and I’m not kidding.”
When asked his initial reactions to restarting PANTERA as a live act, Rex replied: “Philip and I discussed this for several months. He called me and said, ‘Would you like to do it?’ There was a brief moment to absorb the gravity of it all, and then I said, ‘Okay, I have some questions.’ Since that call, we’ve been working extremely hard to make this happen, overcoming numerous challenges.”
Until his passing in June 2018, Vinnie had been on non-communicative terms with Anselmo, whom he indirectly blamed for Dimebag‘s murder.
Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was tragically shot and killed by a mentally troubled individual who believed the members of PANTERA were taking his thoughts.
Vinnie, who was Dimebag‘s brother, and Anselmo had not spoken since PANTERA disbanded in 2003. Their relationship soured further when Vinnie claimed comments made by the vocalist about Dimebag shortly before his death could have incited his murder.
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