Charlie Benante revealed discussions about a potential live album from the current PANTERA lineup
Alongside the ANTHRAX drummer, the reformed band includes Rex Brown on bass, Philip Anselmo on vocals, and guitarist Zakk Wylde, known for his work with OZZY OSBOURNE and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY.
Benante discussed his participation in PANTERA‘s return during a talk with The Vinyl Guide Podcast. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “For me, the PANTERA thing is a very special thing. I think it’s one of those opportunities to a) honor your friends, b) play some songs that you love, and c) give the audience a chance to hear these songs in this environment again, some who had never seen PANTERA before. And yes, I know this isn’t the original PANTERA. I have to be a fucking idiot to not know that. This version of PANTERA is, of course, with Zakk and myself, and we are staying true to what the band was.”
When asked if Vinnie ever discussed the possibility of playing as PANTERA again while he was still alive, Charlie said: “I never had a full conversation with him about it, because it was never something that would be brought up when I was together with him. When we were together, we talked about different things — never reforming the band again. And that was it. His brother wasn’t there. So, I don’t know. I did hear at one point Vinnie was open to do it again, but I don’t know if that was real or not. And that was it.”
As for the possibility of the new lineup releasing a live recording from the current tour, Benante said: “Yeah. We talked about that. We’ll see. We record a lot, and it’s probably just spending time with it and see what shows are good, or take a song from this show or a song from that show and compile it for a live record. I would love to do that.”
Billboard reports that the lineup received approval from the estates of the band’s founders, drummer Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott and guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott.
News of Anselmo and Brown joining forces with Wylde and Benante for a global tour under the PANTERA moniker initially surfaced in July 2022.
Currently, PANTERA is headlining various major festivals across North America and Europe, along with hosting their headline shows. Additionally, they are set to accompany METALLICA on an extensive stadium tour in 2024.
The tragic history of PANTERA involves the founding members, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag, who later formed DAMAGEPLAN after PANTERA disbanded in 2003. Dimebag‘s life was tragically cut short on December 8, 2004, when he was fatally shot onstage by a troubled individual who suffered from schizophrenia. Vinnie Paul passed away on June 22, 2018, in Las Vegas, due to dilated cardiomyopathy and severe coronary artery disease, stemming from chronic heart muscle weakening.