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The heavy metal community is locked in a fierce, escalating debate over the legacy of one of the genre’s most sacred names. While fans have spent the last few years processing the touring return of the current lineup—featuring surviving anchors Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown alongside Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and guitar icon Zakk Wylde—a massive new question has completely disrupted the rock circuit.
If this iteration of the band actually steps into the studio to create brand-new music, do they have the moral and historical right to slap the name “Pantera” on the album cover?
The internet is already completely split down the middle, and the musicians themselves are firmly in the crossfire.
Charlie Benante Confirms New Riffs Are Ready: “I Can Do It, No Doubt”
The firestorm reignited following an explosive new interview on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, hosted by wrestling superstar and Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho. Drummer Charlie Benante was asked directly if he and Zakk Wylde could successfully channel and create brand-new studio riffs written specifically in the definitive, punishing Pantera style.
Benante didn’t hesitate to confirm the musical capability is absolutely there: “Oh, I can do it, no doubt. But I just don’t know yet if that’s where this is going. I would hope, at some point. We’ll see. It’s all up to Philip and Rex, really, where they wanna take this. Zakk and I are just there for the ride, and [to help], whatever we can do.”
While Benante previously revealed to Hot Metal that internal talks about original material had loosely occurred, the reality of a studio session brings a massive wave of cultural accountability. Wylde has spent years carefully deflecting backlash by labeling the current touring run as a “Pantera celebration” in interviews. However, tracking an original record completely strips away the “tribute” label, forcing the community to decide if a band without the Abbott brothers can truly be called Pantera.
Also see – PANTERA Albums Ranked: Every Major-Label Masterpiece from Worst to Best
Replicating the Irreplaceable: Channeling Vinnie Paul’s “Meat and Potatoes”
A massive component of the debate rests on whether any new music could ever genuinely sound like the Texas groove-metal machine without the signature DNA of its founders. Original guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott was tragically murdered on stage in 2004, and his brother, powerhouse drummer Vinnie Paul, passed away from heart disease in 2018.
Benante, who has spent over four decades driving the complex thrash tempos of Anthrax, opened up about the massive structural adjustments required to emulate Vinnie Paul’s legendary style, which he calls the definitive “meat and potatoes” of the band’s sound:
- Stripping Back the Busywork: Benante notes that while Anthrax is a highly frantic, busy drumming showcase, Vinnie Paul’s genius relied on deliberate, heavy grooves punctuated by sudden signature licks like those found on “Becoming” or “Cowboys From Hell”.
- Exact Hardware Cloning: To force his hands to respect the original arrangements, Benante completely altered his physical stage presence, setting up his drum kit configuration to exactly mimic Vinnie Paul’s specific hardware blueprint.
- The Emotional Mimicry: The execution is so precise that bassist Rex Brown has admitted to closing his eyes on stage because it literally feels like Vinnie is back on the riser.
Yet, despite this total devotion to sonic accuracy, a passionate contingent of old-school purists continues to flood social media with intense pushback, arguing that creating original songs under the name is an algorithmic cash grab that dilutes the legacy.
Also – A Track-by-Track Annihilation: Why Pantera’s ‘Vulgar Display of Power’ Still Slays
“Stop Being So Rotten”: The 10-Year Warning
Addressing the intense online vitriol that has followed the lineup since their live debut in Mexico City, Benante issued a direct, emotional plea to the naysayers to look at the bigger picture before time runs out: “I wish people nowadays would be more caring and loving towards us all, you know? Not just musicians, but to each other. Stop being so rotten about things, because I’ll tell you this much: [in] 10 years’ time, a lot of this stuff is gone. So if you don’t enjoy it now, that’s it: it’s done.”
Benante pointed out that the current arena runs are drawing massive audiences of young kids who were born long after the band’s original split—offering a new generation the chance to feel the physical power of those songs live. Guitarist Zakk Wylde has backed that play completely, shrugging off the pressure of recording a formal live album by stating, “Let’s be real—it’s a live album every night. People with their phones are recording it anyway. You go up there and you play to win.”
FAQ: The Pantera New Music Controversy
Has the current lineup actually written new Pantera songs? No. While Charlie Benante has confirmed that he is fully capable of writing new material in the classic Pantera style, no recording sessions have taken place. Any future studio moves are entirely up to surviving original members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown.
Why is there a debate over using the name “Pantera”? Purists argue that Pantera died with the Abbott brothers, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, who were the foundational sonic architects of the band. Supporters argue that Anselmo and Brown have a right to carry on their own legacy and pass the music down to younger generations.
Is there any official release coming from this current lineup? The band has actively discussed the possibility of releasing a professionally mixed live album to formally document this specific touring era, though no release date has been set.
Also Recommended – ZAKK WYLDE Is Down With Releasing A PANTERA Live Album Featuring Current Lineup
STAY LOUD: Do you think Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown have earned the right to release new music under the Pantera banner, or should any future studio collaborations with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante be given an entirely new band name? Drop your stance in the comments section below, and catch the full breakdown of the groove-metal wars on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast!
TL;DR:
Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante confirmed on Talk Is Jericho that he is fully capable of writing new riffs in the classic Pantera style if the band decides to record. However, the prospect has ignited a massive debate in the metal community over whether a lineup without Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul should ever use the Pantera name for original music. Benante is urging critics to stop being “rotten” and enjoy the music before the era is gone forever.
The post The Pantera Dilemma: If They Write New Material, Do They Actually Have the Right to Call It “Pantera”? appeared first on Loaded Radio.
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