The revised lineup of panther played the band’s first US show in 22 years on Saturday (May 6) at the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally in Panama City, Florida.
Pantera — featuring classic members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass), along with Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums) — returns to perform gigs in Latin America this past December, as well as a couple of dates in Japan in March. Last night’s performance in Panama City marked the band’s first US concert since a July 25, 2001, gig in Tacoma, Washington.
In advance of their proper headlining Summer 2023 North America tour with special guests Lamb of God (tickets are available here), Pantera are playing a couple of festival shows in the US this month, including last night’s Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally and May 20 on Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The 11-song set in Panama City began with “Mouth for War,” and also featured classics like “I’m Broken,” “A New Level,” “Walk,” and “Cowboys From Hell.” Among other highlights was the band’s first performance of “Suicide Note Pt. II” since the reunion.
Wylde and Benante replaced the late brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. In a recent conversation with Severe ConsequencesBenante and Exodus’ Gary Holt talk about the pressures of joining for Vinnie Paul and late Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, respectively.
“Some people sent me [negative comments], and I said, ‘Why did you send this to me?’ Why ruin my day?,’” said Benante to Pantera fans who were sad because the band decided to re-form after the passing of Dimebag and Vinnie. “And I think these people who [make] these comments, I don’t think they realize how much they can affect people. Whether you hate the situation or not…why can’t you find some kind of control? … I have never seen it in my life as I have seen it these past months.”
Watch footage and see the setlist from Pantera’s first US show in 22 years below, followed by the aforementioned conversation between Charlie Benante and Gary Holt. Get tickets to Pantera’s upcoming tour dates, which also include shows opening for Metallicaon in this location.
Setlist:
Mouth for War
A New Level
Stronger Than Stronger
Becoming (with “Rejection Troubles” outro)
I’m Broken (with “By Demons Be Driven” outro)
This Love
Yesterday Don’t Explain Shit
Suicide Note Pt. II (first time since the reunion)
Walk
Domination / Hollow
Cowboys From Hell