Legendary Metal Band Pantera Rocks the O2 Arena in Prague

We have behind us, without a doubt, the most anticipated metal concert of the year. When the legendary American band Pantera broke up in 2003 and its members split into two irreconcilable camps, a possible reunion seemed completely unthinkable. And when, a year later, a madman shot guitarist Dimebag Darrell right at the concert of the successor formation Damageplan, it looked like the final dot for the hopes of reuniting the lineup. There were occasional rumblings of the group’s return with guitarist Zakk Wylde, but the untimely death of drummer Vinnie Paul five years ago definitively buried all hopes of younger generations seeing Pantera live somewhere. Fortunately, only in appearance. Because sometimes miracles happen. Perhaps it was only the death of the other brother that mobilized the remaining half of the line-up and finally persuaded the surely worn-out Zakk Wyld to officially restore Pantera, which went on tour. And thank God, even the Czech fans got to see it. The program was started at seven o’clock by the band Elegant Weapons. For most of the set, absolutely average power metal did not attract anything at all, and such a party was perhaps unworthy of the festive aura of the evening. It was only in the last two solid songs that she moved into a more swinging, almost southern metal genre, and thus paid tribute to the main star.

© Vojta Florian / musicserver.cz

Expectations were high for this one, luckily it was already clear during the opening songs that the Texas beast is simply indestructible and that this will be a blast like a belt. The setlist brought a fairly representative cross-section of the discography, with the fact that the band’s late records were slightly added, on which Phil Anselm’s greater influence on rawness and brutality could be heard to the detriment of the melodiousness of classic hard rock, which the two deceased brothers brought to the music of the formation. After all, the entire tour is dedicated to them, and the most moving memory came during the famous chamber remake of Black Sabbath “Planet Caravan”, during which the center of the entire scene was a projection of memories of the Abbott brothers selected from the band’s legendary DVD “3 Vulgar Videos From Hell”. Thanks to the large-screen screens, the details of all four musicians were also enjoyed in the back parts of the O2 arena, and there were also obligatory bonfires.

© Vojta Florian / musicserver.cz

Finally, a few words to each of the musicians. Phil Anselmo lost none of his vocal range, was sharp as a rasp and had charisma to spare. Rex Brown reliably asserted the music with his bass, which stomped as well as the rhythm performed by Anthrax drummer Charlie Benant. He even tried to imitate as much as possible the specific sound of the rolled drums and the delicate sound of the kick, thanks to which you can safely recognize the Pantera. In the same way, with the tuning and the typical clamshell shape of the guitar, Zakk Wylde faithfully approximated his late friend Dimebag. In addition, he proved once again that he belongs to the greatest rock guitarists in history, and the engagement in Pantera could be a suitable continuation of his career at the biggest events after Ozzy Osbourne has already retired from music. The only flaw of the evening was the terrible sound, but I was already coming to terms with that after two Slipknot shows at the same place in the O2 arena. You just can’t make hard metal sound good there. However, even that did not prevent the loyal fans who grew up with the group in the nineties, from creating an absolutely fantastic atmosphere, right up to the sound engineer and in the stands. In addition, they were surprisingly densely packed, except for the very highest floors. Fears that the organizers took too big of a bite with Pantera in the O2 arena, fortunately did not come true. In short, it was a festive evening full of nostalgia and timeless groove metal, which with its earthiness, weight and intensity is still throwing plaster off the walls today.