The estate of late PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott has issued a statement on the upcoming shows the new lineup of the band will be performing
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.
Yesterday, the estate of Vinnie Paul released the following statement on social media: “There can never be a PANTERA reunion without Vinnie and Dime. However, there is no better way to celebrate and honor Vinnie and Dime’s legacy, than to bring the music of PANTERA directly to the fans. We are honored that Charlie and Zakk, their very close friends and musical brothers, will share the stage with Philip and Rex, to unleash the power of PANTERA live around the world.”
PANTERA producer Sterling Winfield shared the above statement to his social media and included the following message: “Here’s the press release that the ‘media’ said we had already done six months ago. It was just posted about five minutes ago for the first time EVER.
“Don’t believe everything the media tells you. Choose for yourselves. Enjoy it with open arms, minds & hearts. Or don’t. The choice is yours. But don’t make that choice for someone else.”
Winfield was in attendance for the band’s recent rehearsals in New Orleans, stating that it was “something very special”. He wrote of the experience: “I wasn’t prepared for how classy, thoughtful and honorable it was presented to me and the other fine folks in attendance.
“I don’t think other people, the general public, are going to be prepared for it,” he added. “All of these people that have been talking negatively about it either online or in the media, without knowing a single thing about it. I honestly hope it either knocks them on their collective asses and that they eat their words, or that they simply regret not going as it passes them by.”
Vinnie Paul passed away on June 22, 2018 at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 54 due to dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart and severe coronary artery disease.