Dimebag Darrell’s guitar tech Grady Champion says the upcoming PANTERA tour will honor the memory of the late Abbott brothers
The foursome, made up of surviving PANTERA members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) along with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) are set to hit the road and play a number of major festivals across North America, South America and Europe as well as some of their own headline concerts.
It was also previously revealed that Wylde would be bringing Champion on the road with him and the band for the trek, to help deliver Dime‘s guitar sound and tone for the shows.
Champion recently posted a pic to his social media from the band’s rehearsals, which can be seen below, along with a caption that reads: This is such a pleasure for me. Seriously. It’s coming. I get to listen to this man and this band play everyday for, I dunno groundhog days. I get to enjoy the artistry of Father Zakk.
“He’s cooking man, and I’m in the kitchen eating everything. I get to play with buttons and pedals like old times, and most of all, we are honouring the boys’ memory. Stronger than all. Here for the right reasons. I’m already seven cries in.”
Wylde previously spoke about bringing Grady on the road with the new lineup of PANTERA to recreate Dimebag‘s signature sound.
He said: “I’ll be using my guitars, effects, and pedals, a lot of the pedals that Dime actually gave me, and yeah, I’ll definitely be using some of Dime’s pedals and stuff, too.
“I’m still working out how it’ll all come together, but I am looking forward to seeing how it all flows once I do. Dime’s tech, Grady, is gonna be coming down too, which is great.”
PANTERA will play their first shows in over 20 years in December 2022, starting with a co-headlining slot at Mexico’s Hell & Heaven Metal Fest and Monterrey Metal Fest, followed by appearances at three Knotfest festivals in South America. There will also be a one-off show with JUDAS PRIEST in São Paulo, Brazil and a headlining concert in Santiago.
Confirmed PANTERA shows thus far:
Pantera 2022 and 2023 live dates
Dec 02: Toluca de Lerdo Hell & Heaven Open Air, Mexico
Dec 06: Monterrey Metal Fest, Mexico
Dec 09: Bogotá Knotfest, Columbia
Dec 11: Santiago Knotfest, Chile
Dec 12: Santiago Movistar Arena, Chile*
Dec 15: Sao Paulo Vibra, Brazil#
Dec 18: São Paulo Knotfest, Brazil
May 26: Sofia Armeets Arena, Bulgaria
May 27: Bucharest, Metalhead Meeting Open Air Festival, Romania
May 30: Budapest Barba Negra, Hungary
May 31: Vienna Gasometer, Austria
Jun 2-4: Nürburgring Rock Am Ring, Germany
Jun 2-4: Nürnberg Rock Im Park, Germany
June 06: Lodz Atlas Arena, Poland
June 12: Prague O2 Arena, Czech Republic
June 13: Berlin Verti Music Hall, Germany
June15: Copenhagen Copenhell, Denmark
June 21: Hamburg Edel Optics, Germany
Jun 22-24: Oslo Tons Of Rock, Norway
- Headline show
with Judas Priest
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