Pantera – currently Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown alongside Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) and Charlie Benante (Anthrax) – is slowly creeping up on 100 shows played since they announced their celebratory comeback. In an interview with The Vinyl Guide Podcast, Benante said Pantera has been recording a lot of their shows and may potentially release a live album at some point.
"Yeah. We talked about that," said Benante. "We'll see. We record a lot, and it's probably just spending time with it and see what shows are good, or take a song from this show or a song from that show and compile it for a live record. I would love to do that."
Benante also touched on the criticisms that Pantera in 2024 isn't the classic Pantera lineup. Benante pulled no punches in his comment, noting that he'd have to be "a fucking idiot to not know that." Which is really the only way to put it – Benante is filling in for Vinnie Paul. Of course he's aware.
"For me, the Pantera thing is a very special thing. I think it's one of those opportunities to a) honor your friends, b) play some songs that you love, and c) give the audience a chance to hear these songs in this environment again, some who had never seen Pantera before. And yes, I know this isn't the original Pantera. I have to be a fucking idiot to not know that. This version of Pantera is, of course, with Zakk and myself, and we are staying true to what the band was."
A Pantera live album might be cool, honestly. It's a great way to showcase the tribute lineup to the band without wading into the murky waters of recording any new material. As long as Pantera includes their recent performances of "Floods" on it, we're down. Wylde has been absolutely crushing that solo on stage.
