Pantera brought the FIRE to Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on Wednesday night as part of an ‘MMR Concert Event. The newly reunited Cowboys from Hell features longtime frontman Phil Anselmo on vocals, longtime bassist Rex Brown, Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde on guitar for the late Dimebag Darrell, and Charlie Benante of Anthrax filling in for late Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.
Pantera’s Return to Philly
This was Pantera’s first show of any kind in the Philadelphia area since the Extreme Steel Tour in June 2001, when they played the (then) First Union Center. The crowd was significantly hyped to have Pantera back in the area for the first time in decades. It was cool to see all of the old school tee shirts of Pantera tours from decades ago, albeit a lot more snug fitting than they were 20+ years ago.
Child Bite, a punk/metal band from Detroit, Michigan kicked off the night, followed by the heavy metal masters Lamb of God from Richmond, Virgina.
L.O.G. frontman Randy Blythe just shaved off his signature dreadlocks a few weeks ago, and though it was weird to see him perform without them, Lamb of God rocked just as hard as ever.
Initially, Pantera kicked off their set with a very touching tribute video to Dimebag Darrell & Vinnie Paul Abbott. It showed all sorts of old clips and pictures of the band in the early days. Dime & Vin were mentioned several times throughout the night in tribute to the late brothers and Pantera bandmates.
If you missed the show in Camden, there are also a few more opportunities to see Phil, Rex, Zakk, and Charlie this weekend! Pantera & MammothWVH kick-off the North American leg of Metallica’s M72 World Tour at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on August 4.
Pantera is performing live on August 5 at Hersheypark Stadium, where all that delicious chocolate will be melted from the heavy metal and pyro! They’ll be in Scranton, PA at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain on August 6. Get your tickets here.
My head and neck HURT today from headbanging so hard at the show last night! But it was so worth it!
PANTERA @ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (08.02.2023)
- A New Level
- Mouth for War
- Strength Beyond Strength
- Becoming
- I’m Broken
- Suicide Note Pt. II
- 5 Minutes Alone
- This Love
- F*cking Hostile
- Cemetery Gates (clip) (with old video footage of Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul)
- Planet Caravan (Black Sabbath cover)
- Walk
- Domination / Hollow
- Cowboys From Hell
Encore:
- Slaughtered
- Revolution Is My Name
Pantera – 5 Minutes Alone (Live in Camden) 08.02.2023