The air at Mansfield, Massachusetts’ Xfinity Center on this past Saturday night, August 2nd, was thick with a palpable sense of anticipation and raw energy for the return of Arlington, Texas’ heavy metal juggernaut, Pantera. The reconfigured band now includes guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax) along with original singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown. Wylde and Benante have respectfully replaced the late Abbott brothers Dimebag Darrel and Vinnie Paul. The current lineup has been welcomed with open arms by the band’s legion of fans, and they have established an ever-growing fan base as they continue to tour around the globe.
The crowd, a sea of black t-shirts and weathered denim, buzzed with the collective energy of a fanbase that had waited years for this moment. This wasn’t just another concert; it was a homecoming of sorts for one of metal’s most iconic and influential bands, Pantera, who were set to unleash a sonic assault on the aural senses of a sold-out venue. As the lights dimmed, the crowd roared, ready to witness a performance that was equal parts tribute, resurrection, and pure, unadulterated aggression.
This highly anticipated performance carried a somber weight, as it marked the band’s first show back after an unexpected break. Pantera had canceled several prior dates following the death and subsequent celebrations of life for the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. It was an understandable pause, as guitarist Zakk Wylde, a longtime friend and collaborator of Ozzy’s, was in attendance to pay his respects to the Prince of Darkness. Returning to the stage, the band seemed to channel their grief and camaraderie into a ferocious performance that served as a powerful statement of their enduring legacy.
From the moment the house lights were cut and the first punishing notes erupted, Pantera demonstrated they were there to conquer. The night’s set was kicked off with the ferocious “Hellbound”, a track that immediately grabbed the audience by the throat and refused to let go. This was followed by the bludgeoning intensity of “5 Minutes Alone”, a fan favorite that saw the mosh pit start to swirl into a vortex of headbanging chaos. They continued to annihilate the audience with “Strength Beyond Strength” and the aggressive, riff-driven “Mouth of War”, leaving no doubt that the band had returned in top form.
Throughout the night, it was clear that the fans in attendance were not just casual observers; they were a community of dedicated followers who knew every word to every song. While the band naturally played their well-known hits, they also peppered the set with a handful of self-proclaimed deep cuts. These tracks stemmed as far back as their 1990 smash record Cowboys from Hell, and the die-hard fans in the front rows proved their dedication by singing along with passionate fury.
Mid-set, frontman Phil Anselmo declared to the crowd that they were about to be treated to some “deep cuts”. Despite the title, these were not obscure B-sides that fell on deaf ears. When the band launched into the intricate, moody grooves of “10’s” and the heavy, sludgy rhythms of “I’ll Cast a Shadow”, the response was instantaneous. The band’s loyal following threw up their horns, banged their heads, and sang as one, proving that a Pantera song, regardless of its radio presence, is a cherished part of their musical catalog.
As the set drew closer to its conclusion, the energy in the Xfinity Center reached a fever pitch. Pantera proceeded to blow the roof off the venue with a deeply combustible rendition of “This Love”, a song that showcased their dynamic range from quiet desperation to full-blown rage. This was followed by the raucous, iconic title track “Cowboys from Hell”. Both songs highlighted Zakk Wylde’s incredible performance, as he faithfully played the late Dimebag Darrell’s iconic parts with a vigor and technical prowess that few could ever hope to match.
If those seminal hits weren’t enough to satisfy the insatiable crowd, the band continued to fuel the fire with a relentless onslaught of pure metal fury. The band tore through “A New Level”, a track that perfectly encapsulated their signature aggression. This was immediately followed by the bludgeoning, anthemic “Walk”, which saw the entire venue chanting the infamous chorus in unison. A massive, medley-style performance of “Domination/Hollow” rounded out the explosive late-set stretch.
The band’s performance was a testament to the raw, visceral power of their music and the profound impact they’ve had on an entire generation of metal fans. Each riff from Wylde, Benante’s drumbeats, Brown’s thunderous basslines and howl from Anselmo felt like a celebration of a legacy that has only grown stronger with time. The crowd’s reaction was a constant, deafening affirmation that Pantera’s music is not just listened to but lived.
Pantera closed out the night in a truly fitting manner, with the barnburner “Fucking Hostile”. The song served as the perfect, cathartic release for both the band and the audience, a final blast of unrelenting aggression that left every single person in the venue breathless and exhilarated. It was a spectacular and emotionally charged return to the stage, proving beyond any doubt that the legacy of Pantera is in more than capable hands.
