The highly anticipated, and highly controversial, Pantera comeback tour is right around the corner. The Nineties groove-metal juggernaut — now comprised of core members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown joined by longtime friends Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) and Charlie Benante (Anthrax) — are set to play their first shows in over 20 years, starting on December 2nd at Mexico’s Hell & Heaven Metal Fest.
Since news of the band’s re-formation broke last summer, Wylde and Benante have discussed their involvement many times, but neither Anselmo or Brown have weighed in. Today (November 26th), that changed, as the latter — Pantera’s original bassist — shared some brief comments on Instagram, along with a photo of himself with Wylde and Benante, which the Anthrax drummer had previously posted to his socials.
“Get ready folks, this is gonna be one Hell of a Ride…And then some!!” Brown wrote. “This was the start of the ZW sessions that grew into a Monster…5 days ‘til Mexico City!! Bolt in…..”
See his full post, as well as Pantera’s confirmed live dates, below. According to Wylde, Benante and a video posted to Pantera’s socials, the tour is not intended as a “reunion” but as a tribute to the band’s fans, legacy and, particularly, founding brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, who passed in 2004 and 2018, respectively.
Pantera 2022/2023 tour dates:
Dec. 02 – Texicoco, Mexico – Hell & Heaven Metal Fest
Dec. 06 – Monterrey, Mexico – Monterrey Metal Fest
Dec. 09 – Bogotá, Colombia – Knotfest Colombia
Dec. 11 – Santiago, Chile – Knotfest Chile
Dec. 12 – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena
Dec. 15 – São Paulo, Brazil – Vibra São Paulo (with Judas Priest)
Dec. 18 – São Paulo, Brazil – Knotfest Brazil
May 26 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Armeets Arena
May 27 – Bucharest, Romania – Metalhead Meeting Open Air Festival
May 30 – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
May 31 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
Jun. 2-4 – Nürburgring, Germany – Rock Am Ring
Jun. 2-4 – Nürnberg, Germany – Rock Im Park
Jun. 05 – Lodz, Poland – Atlas Arena
Jun. 10 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
Jun. 12 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
Jun. 13 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall
Jun. 15 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell
June 15-18 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting
Jun. 21 – Hamburg, Germany – Edel Optics
Jun. 22-24 – Oslo, Norway – Tons of Rock