Pantera took to the stage for the first time in 21 years last night (Dec. 2), debuting a new lineup during a 14-song set at the Hell & Heaven Open Air festival in Toluca, Mexico.
Surviving members singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown have teamed with drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) and Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne) for the reboot, with Benante and Wylde taking the place of the late brothers Vinnie Paul Abbott and “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, respectively.
Some fans have grumbled about the tastefulness of the reunion, which comes two decades after the band officially disbanded in 2003, and in the wake of Dimebag’s on-stage murder in 2004 and the 2018 passing of Vinnie Paul.
Based on fan-shot video from the show, the audience didn’t seem to mind. Per Setlist.fm, the set opened with “A New Level” and “Mouth for War” and wrapped with “Walk,” “Cowboys from Hell,” and a medley of “Domination/Hollow.” It also included a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan” and a video tribute to the Abbott brothers.
Pantera has several more international dates planned for this month and into next year, and this week announced it will open for Metallica on select dates of the M72 world tour in 2023 and 2024.
