Back in 1986 when Pantera had first gotten their start, they were not as many may known of them today. But when first starting out they were a metal band but a "glam metal", releasing a few albums under this specific genre choice at the time, featuring vocalist Terry Glaze. Within that same year, that vocalist would leave the band and a new vocalist Philip H Anesemlo; whom would became the main force behind who Pantera was from there on out, going down a heavier path, releasing nine albums, touring countless, playing live, with the band disbanding due to issues. One of which would be due to the two brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul both passing away, seeing a reunion of sorts would not happen....
Until.... Philip would create numerous bands including one being Philip H Ansemlo and the Illegals, and they would play shows, doing a tribute of sorts to Pantera, doing a mini set of their songs. This would later expand come 2022, where original bassist Rex Brown would reunite, with Zakk Wyde on guitar and Charlie Benante drummer of Anthrax to both be "fill-ins" for brothers Dimebag and Vinnie. This is what I would consider “Pantera 2.0” a semi-tribute to the original line-up, with it being a long time coming, with this line-up going on various tours as it was since 2022, into 2023, all the way into 2024 and now 2025!
The band would announce a headlining run for summer of 2025 this entitled titled "The Heaviest Tour of the Summer" with 29-dates, one of which being right here in Los Angeles, California at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. The show not selling out until the day of the show, when doors were already open, the arena wasn't completely filled in until the second to the last headliner was playing.
Upon arriving to the venue with doors opening after 6PM, the opening band would play at 7PM calling themselves King Parrot, a hardcore/grindcore band whose performance was rather interesting. They got the crowd invested to say the least, not many but some people filling in the seating sections and floor, taking in their set for what it was worth, interesting. Their energy was angst mixed with energy, that delivered something catchy and upbeat.
KING PARROT:
Following them would be viking metal band Amon Amarth, whom I have seen an assortment of times prior, so an idea of their performance and stage prescience was a given. They bring smoke affects, warriors to fight one another, with other characters like Loki from Thor, and even Thor’s hammer making an appearance. Their performance was very eye catching, causing the audience to really be into all of it. The vocalist interacting with the audience making sure everyone there was having a good time. Indeed all there was, they brought such creativity with their elements and music it was truly magical.
AMON AMARTH:
Headliners Pantera would end the night off, performing a band montage during the opening number "Suicide Note Part 1", following that with "Suicide Note Part 2", having the band's banner drop, and then they would go into an extensive one hour and thirty minute setlist featuring such songs as "Goddamn Electric" having vocalist Phil perform a guitar solo on Dimebag's actual guitar. Other songs played included "Hellbound", "I'll Cast a Shadow" these trio of tracks not being played since way back in 2001. Other hit numbers included such as "I'm Broken", "This Love", "Mouth for War", "Walk" "A New Level" and "Fucking Hostile" to round off the evening, to be quite the spectacle. Lots of fire affects were in use, with lighting affects used throughout as well.
PANTERA:
Pantera as this new rendition of themselves does work, the fill-ins get the job done, and the audience while there may be some with it, and some without it, the band manages to play an honorable tribute to themselves and former members, who are no longer with us. If you never got the chance to catch Pantera in their earlier years of the 80s to the 90s or late 00s then the time is now to catch them, because according to Phil the band does plan to continue this run of Pantera from here on out, as long as the fans accept it, believe in it, and want it, it shall be done and we are here for it whilst it lasts.
SETLIST:
1. Suicide Note Part 1
2. Suicide Note Part 2
3. Hellbound
4. 5 Minutes Alone
5. Strength Beyond Strength
6. Mouth for War
7. Goddamn Electric
8. Becoming (with Throes of Rejection outro)
9. I'm Broken (with By Demons Be Driven outro)
10. 10's
11. I'll Cast a Shadow (with 25 Years outro)
12. This Love
13. Cowboys From Hell
ENCORE:
14. A New Level
15. Walk
16. Domination/Hollow
17. Fucking Hostile (with Stairway to Heaven sing-along outro)
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