Peter Pappalardo: Celebs Rumors

The surviving members of Pantera – vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown – have announced that they are reforming to play shows in the US and Europe next year, marking the 40th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Metal Magic’.Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante will take the places of the band’s late founders, the Abbott brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul.In the US, the band will be represented by Artist Group International for the reunion shows, with agent Peter Pappalardo saying: “We are THRILLED to be working with such an iconic band and bringing their music back to the fans”.Reception from those fans has been mixed, with many asking what the point is without the Abbott brothers. Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage in 2004, while performing with his post-Pantera band Damageplan.

Pantera have announced plans to reunite for a tour in 2023.Singer Philip Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown have signed a deal with Artist Group International for a series of US tour dates next year, reports Billboard.“We are thrilled to be working with such an iconic band and bringing their music back to the fans,” agent Peter Pappalardo said in a statement.No dates have yet been announced for the band’s first tour in 20 years and it is unclear who will perform with the surviving members.Pantera, formed in 1981 and disbanded in 2003. In 2004 guitarist Dimebag Darrell was shot dead at the Alrosa Villa in Ohio.In 2018, Darrell’s brother, Vinnie Paul, died aged 54 from severe coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart.In an interview in 2019, Anselmo teased the possibility of a Pantera tribute tour with Brown and guitarist Zakk Wylde, a longtime friend of the band.“Well, Zakk is a busy man … We spoke about it maybe one time,” Anselmo told Chile news outlet Humo Negro.