The news surrounding the highly anticipated return of Metal masters Pantera just keeps piling on. Fill-ins for the late Abbott brothers have officially been announced, as well as further touring details.
Following up this week’s confirmation that the initial stages of an official 2023 Pantera tour is in the works featuring the band’s surviving members, singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown, new reports state guitarist Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society fame will be joining the group along with Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. Each will fill the roles of Pantera's deceased founding brothers, guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, respectively.
Billboard, citing a close source to Pantera, says the late members’ estates have given the tour their blessings and Wylde and Benante are in, while also revealing the band will hit up North American and European festivals next year, as well as book their own headlining dates.
While there has been some mixed reaction among fans due to the absence of Dimebag and Vinnie, (you can see it all go down in Avenged Sevenfold singer M. Shadows' discussion on the topic) Zakk has been the frontrunner for the guitarist position in a reunion or tribute for years. Charlie's beats will surely be a welcome addition to fans across the globe as well -- especially given both musicians enjoyed long friendships with each of the Abbott brothers.
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