Drummer Charlie Benante comments on the upcoming PANTERA tour

Last month it was announced that PANTERA‘s surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) would hit the road with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) under the name PANTERA.

The foursome are set to play a number of major festivals across North America and Europe as well as headline some of their own concerts.

Benante and the other members of ANTHRAX spoke about the upcoming PANTERA reunion run during a meet-and-greet before ANTHRAX‘s August 12 concert in Orlando, Florida. Discussing how the PANTERA tour would affect ANTHRAX, guitarist Scott Ian said: “The PANTERA thing is not gonna change anything we’re doing.” Bassist Frank Bello added: “We’ll still be working.” Benante then said that PANTERA will only play “select” shows.

When asked if PANTERA will embark on a full-blown tour, Benante replied: “I don’t think so.”

Later on in the panel, another attendee brought up Benante’s involvement with the upcoming PANTERA tour, noting that there has been some online “flak” regarding the performances. Charlie then asked the fan, “Why is there flak?”, to which the fan responded “People are stupid.” Benante concurred, saying “There you go” and added to those who slam the project “Don’t come.” 

According to Billboard, the foursome has been given the go-ahead by the estates of the band’s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-aAp1AiXfw