If you are an Adelaide metalhead, you probably witnessed or have at least heard the legendary story about when Phil Anselmo and his band The Illegals played two shows at the (now permanently closed) infamous Enigma bar in 2019. Shit got so hectic, the rickety wooden floor of the very small condensed upstairs band room just about collapsed from the sheer force of a packed venue going bananas, while Anselmo kindly fired out a good handful of popular Pantera tracks as part of the set. At the time, we thought it was the closest thing to a real Pantera concert we were ever going to get since the tragic death of guitarist Dimebag Darryl, and boy did Adelaide show up for it.
Fast forward to 2022 and suddenly we were hit with the news that a ‘reunion’ was imminent with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante recruited to fill the shoes of the late Abbott brothers, and fans were divided. Call it a Pantera reunion, call it a tribute, call it sacrilegious, call it a money grab, but by all accounts, the tour has been making great big human tsunami waves throughout America and Europe with footage of insane festival crowds and mosh pits surfacing online. Despite what anyone thinks about it, you can’t deny that Pantera’s music creates a frenzy and the energy their iconic songs incite is something truly special.
Adelaide showed up once again this time in the AEC arena, for the one and only Pantera headliner kicking off their Australian run of Knotfest appearances. I was quietly optimistic, but many were surprised and relieved that this concert was absolute fire. The intensity and spirit that Pantera have been conjuring around the world for the past year was finally here with the largest turnout I have seen for a heavy metal concert in Adelaide in a long time, For many people it was an enchanting dose of nostalgia reminiscent of the enormous crowds and atmosphere of the big concerts of the 90s when these metal titans were at their peak.
Sydney local favourites Black Rheno had the highest honour of opening the stage (and pit) for the night and took it with grit, firing out a handful of tracks such as aptly titled frenzied belter Something Fucking Special. While the three-piece thrashy groove grind outfit looked a little strange on the enormous AEC stage, they had no issue occupying it and took full advantage, giving everything and filling the enormous venue with their riotous noise while the eager young lads in front got a good little warm up for the night.
Melbourne grind veterans King Parrot followed, back on home soil after touring the States last year with Pantera. Regarded as Australia’s hardest working underground extreme metal act, these guys usually play in some of the dankest dive bars and pubs across the country, so watching them amplify their trademark rabid psycho trash nonsense across an arena was both strange and entertaining.
Fan favourites Disgrace Yourself and Fuck You and the Horse You Rode in on provided a bizarre and vicious soundscape while vocalist Matt ‘Youngy’ Young got up to his usual unhinged stage antics and went through at least four times as many water bottles than usual, probably because there were far more audience members to throw water at.
The hype and anticipation peaked when vintage footage featuring candid images of the late Abbott brothers soundtracked by Regular People played on the overhead screens, commencing a wild ride to the golden days of heavy metal and an emotional tribute to Dimebag Darryl and Vinnie Paul. The giant Pantera banner covering the stage drops as A New Level fires out to a fervent crowd and Zakk Wylde stands centre stage windmilling with all that hair of his and nailing Dimebag’s signature riffs. Anselmo emerges proud, solid and barefoot growling out the lyrics with mighty force.
Phil proclaims “everything we do is for Dimebag and Vinnie” before Mouth For War carries that heavy hitting groove along with the mesmerised audience. He acknowledges the “crazy mother f**kers in the pit- and it’s a good pit!” and leads into Strength Beyond Strength. While standing Godsize in a very staunch and Phil Anselmo-y way, his presence is still humbly personable, like he is interacting directly with every single individual audience member. A softer, wiser Phil has emerged for this new Pant-era, and the love he has for the fans and what he is doing is unquestionable. He thanks Adelaide for the weed, points out the kids in the audience noting “good f**king parenting” from “90s parents” (as my 11-year-old standing at the barrier remains awestruck)
Becoming keeps the audience singing along with Phil’s enthused encouragement, “awesome!” he proudly exclaims as everyone screams the words. The overhead screens momentarily cut to close ups of audience members, some of them young children on parents’ shoulders with bright coloured earmuffs, and the sheer look of joy on their faces melts my heart. Undoubtably Phil’s voice has changed over the years, it’s matured and deepened but it still holds up, and in many ways sounds richer.
Pyrotechnics erupt and incite more wonderment during I’m Broken, just in case Wylde’s presence wasn’t hot enough, while 5 Minutes Alone sees many sweaty shirtless men literally bursting out into the foyer where I am also attempting my own 5 minutes of ‘just give me’.
Floods provides another glowing example of the depth and soul present in Phil’s maturing vocals while another heartfelt and emotional tribute to the Abbott brothers plays on the screens giving everyone big feelings including Phil, who wells up towards the end as Zakk takes centre stage again for the guitar solo resolutely played.
Walk incites so much excitement that even the support bands come running out onstage to join the party. Rex throws out the throbbing bass line to that famous outro and what most 90s kids will tell you is the definitive original breakdown in the history of all breakdowns.
The band attempt their exit after Cowboys From Hell, Rex being carried off stage by Phil before he comes back and admits that it is impossible to do a show and not play Fucking Hostile. A frenzied finale ensues, and Pantera go out in a literal blaze with fireballs flaring up for the last track.
For a mere 13 song set the selection was sufficient, appeasing the hoard of fans gathered for this massive once in a lifetime show. The astounding energy and atmosphere put a smile on the faces of even the biggest sceptics there. Whether you are for or against the idea of a Pantera reunion (tribute, cover band, whatever you want to call it) the resurrection of their music and live shows with the help of world class musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante was always going to be a failproof undertaking. Beyond the politics and opinions of loyal fans and elitists, Pantera’s music continues to enthral and energise audiences across the globe while the Abbott brother’s legacy is now being handed to new generation of fans.
Photos by Rock Tsar Photography
With special thanks to Dallas Does PR and Destroy All Lines for the media access.
