I Am 100% Not Down With So-Called Pantera Reunion
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say this lineup is NOT Pantera.
Pantera meant so much to the people of Lubbock. It's just a whole different thing when you talk Pantera to the people of Texas. We experienced Pantera on a whole different level and this whole thing is not cool.
Let's back up and then dissect this thing and why it matters to some of us.
This "Pantera reunion" is composed of original members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, plus guitar ace Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. Let's get something out of the way: these are very, very capable players. Zakk may even add a little bit to the lineup because, on occasion, "Dimebag" Daryl went off on a few tangents (sometimes due to the preshow fun). I'm sure Zakk and Charlie can pull their weight.
But that doesn't matter.
Quick: think of the band "Pantera." If a mental picture came to mind, chances are near 100 percent you thought of Dimebag and his pink beard. You may also have thought of Vinnie and his sculpted facial hair. Now, while you may have conjured up an album cover instead of these two musicians, one thing I'm absolutely 100-percent positive about is that you didn't think of Rex Brown or Phil Anselmo. As a matter of fact, I'm certain that Phil Anselmo could work on your car all day and you wouldn't recognize him. Dime & Vinnie were so much the heart and soul of Pantera that if this situation were reversed, I would have no problem with them leading a band called "Pantera" without Rex & Phil.
The real problem for people here in West Texas is we were used to Dime & Vinny's frequent drop-ins, approachability and all of the wonderful things they did for concerts in this area. Dime once brought me to the band's rehearsal room just because he thought I might be cold. I also stood next to Dime & Vinnie while we watched April Wine play a second stage at an FMX Birthday Bash. We also did business together with Dime & Vinnie visiting the FMX studios a number of times. None of this is that special because it seems like everyone around here has a Dime or Vinnie story. That's why this is offensive to us.
It's great that some people will get to experience (part of) the power of Pantera's music live, but they can take that word "reunion" and drop that right now. I'd like five minutes alone with every jackass who signed off on that term.
Call if whatever else and I'm 100 percent down with it, but don't call it a reunion without Dime and Vinnie.
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