Pantera is more metal than a monsoon

Last year, when opening for Metallica on the 72 Seasons Tour, longtime metal band Pantera made a promise to return. That happened last night at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater during Phoenix’s monsoon season.

The band kicked off with “5 Minutes Alone " and played a handful of songs before the storm affected the show, forcing a break. An announcer told fans the show was taking a pause due to the rain and to “take cover, and we’ll try and right it out.” The band left the stage for about 40 minutes, coming back on just after 10 p.m.

It’s been nearly 20 years since this incarnation of the band, featuring original members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, headlined a Phoenix show. The deaths of drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell were, of course, losses that hugely affected the band in endless ways.

When I first heard the band was reforming with Zac Wylde, who played with Ozzy, and Charlie Benante (Anthrax), I wasn’t sure how it would go, but no one sounds like anyone else, and as a fan, I’ve made my peace with that.
Phil Anselmo stated in advance of the tour that the shows would be about celebrating the two members who died, and that is precisely what happened. Videos of Dimebag and Vinnie played on the side screens.

Fans of all ages were super pumped and screaming. I was surprised by the number of teens and 20-year-olds in attendance, which speaks to the band’s timeless sound.

When they came back after the rain subsided, Anselmo said, “Hey, we’re going to get as many of these songs in that we can,” trying to meet the venue’s 11 p.m. curfew.

“Walk” was next on the setlist, and what made it even more fantastic than the sound was the entire crowd singing along. Anselmo even noted that everyone singing along that “having fans sing every word is something that will never get old.”

Another highlight was hearing deep cut, “I’ll Cast a Shadow” live. In the eight times I’ve seen them, that has never happened.

Despite the weather, attending to both writing and photographing, I did manage to get in several shots.

Here is a selection of them from Pantera at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on August 26: