PANTERA King Parrot/Black Rheno Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA MARCH 19, 2024
This was a show alot of people had been waiting for, whether it was just because they had never seen Pantera or because they wanted to be part of the Legacy Tour or they were fans of Zak Wylde and Charlie Benante. I was there at Thebby Theatre when Pantera toured the first time and then again later on at the Entertainment Centre so I was optimistic as to how it would all go but I wanted to show my repect to the Abbott brothers. They opened up with a Legacy Tribute on side video screens while an intro got us revved up and then it was straight into New Level, then Mouth for War followed by Strength Beyond Strength. By this time the band had warmed up and Phil Anslemo started talking about how it was good to be back and then it was straight into Becoming and over to Suicide Note Pt2 before Phil had another chat with the audience.
The band then cranked up the volume with 5 Minutes Alone though I found it disapointing and felt it was too mechanical and didn’t flow the way I thought it would but the crowd loved it and that all that mattered to the band. This Love brought things back to what we all loved and shortly afterwards the heavens opened up with Floods and included a video doco of the Bros, damn straight through the heart and I think we all got emotional for that. Walk threw us back on the ground while Cowboys From Hells drove us futher and further a field and finishing with Fucking Hostile. Phil’s way of ending the show was to throw in a few lyrics from Stairway to Heaven.
Throughout the show Zakk was meticulous with his guitar work pulling off some master strokes and had studied Dimbag’s licks to the tee. It was good to see Rex get into the solo vibe, though not a long one but it sounded wicked. Charlie’s drumming was over the top as well and I’d have to be a drummer myself to fault his work. Phil’s voice is still strong as ever though he doesn’t throw himself around the stage like he used to but the band’s energy was strong throughout the show.