Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante have joined the reunited Pantera for their coming 2023 tour. According to Billboard (and Blabbermouth), the tour and addition of both Wylde and Benante have been greenlit by the estates of Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. This is especially interesting given that Brown said last night that Wylde will not be a part of things, despite his comments over the years that he'd love to do it.
The inclusion of Wylde is ultimately not shocking – Wylde has made it very well known over the years that he'd love to join the band should they ever reunite. Wylde said in a 2019 interview that he felt he wouldn't be replacing Dimebag if a reunion happened, but instead celebrating his music. "When Saint Vinnie [late Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, who died in June 2018] was still around, they were talking about it then. I mean, the way I always looked at it is it's a Pantera celebration and an honor. I mean, every night I'm playing with Ozz, we honor Saint Rhoads [late Ozzy guitarist Randy Rhoads]. I'm playing the Randy stuff every night, and I'm blessed and it's an honor to do it. Basically, we're paying tribute to Randy every night — keeping his music alive."
The Pantera reunion tour was announced last night. Vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown have officially signed with Artist Group International for a Pantera tour happening sometime in 2023, though no specific dates or timeframes have been announced.
