Pantera: The Heaviest Tour of the Summer Hits Saratoga
On July 28th, Pantera will roll into Saratoga with The Heaviest Tour of the Summer. WABY will be there—and so should you. This marks their first stop in the Capital Region since their Ozzfest appearance in 2000. The reunited band has been touring since 2023, despite some minor backlash online—but trust me, this is a tour you don’t want to miss.
The Controversy and the Comeback
If you scroll through social media posts about the tour, you’ll notice plenty of vitriol and misplaced rage in the comment sections. I’m here to tell you to put that to rest. You’ll see people saying this is “just a Pantera cover band” or that “Phil is only doing it as a money grab.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Remaining members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown are joined by Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, filling in for DimebagDarrell and Vinnie Paul, respectively. Zakk and Charlie aren’t just phenomenal musicians tapped to play the parts—they were close to the Pantera camp for years. Their relationships with the Abbott brothers are well documented, and throughout the show, their respect is evident.
What to Expect Live
Having just attended their performance with Metallica in Syracuse, I can assure you the set list doesn’t let up for a second. It was packed with hits, even though they were only the opening act. On their headlining tour, expect a longer set—and probably some deeper cuts. Phil actually sounded stronger and more refined than when I caught them at Darien Lake the year before.
A standout from the last tour was the Dimebag Hardware tent—a company run by Dimebag’s longtime girlfriend, Rita Haney (aka Dimebagzhag). It’s a must-visit spot for exclusive Dimebagmerch and some of his gear on display.
(Joey Boots with Rita Haney)
My Pantera Origin Story
I was first introduced to Pantera at age 16, in my best friend’s rusted-out Ford Bronco outfitted with four 12” subwoofers—the only way to drown out the loud muffler. I’ll never forget the feeling of the opening riff from “Cowboys from Hell” pulsing through my body. It screamed in my ears, rumbled in my chest, and made my head bang instinctively. The energy was immediate and infectious. Songs like “Domination,” “Cemetery Gates,” and “The Art of Shredding” pulled me deeper into their discography.
Album Deep Dive
Vulgar Display of Power
This album is, in my opinion, Pantera’s magnum opus. The brutal punch of “Mouth for War” kicks it off like a cannon blast, leading into “A New Level” and the legendary trio of “Walk,” “Fucking Hostile,” and “This Love.” Dimebag’s guitar work is ferocious, but Phil’s raw vocals steal the show. Rex’s bass supports every riff perfectly, and Vinnie Paul’s drumming thunders like a storm.
Far Beyond Driven
Building on Vulgar’s momentum, Far Beyond Driven hit #1 on the Billboard 200, proving heavy music could still dominate the charts. The aggression didn’t ease up, even as the band veered into darker territory. Phil was dealing with chronic back pain and substance use at the time, and it bled into tracks like “I’m Broken,” “5 Minutes Alone,” and the haunting “Good Friends and a Bottle of Pills.” The album ends with a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan,” a trippy descent into calm after the chaos.
The Great Southern Trendkill
From the violent screams that open the title track, this is arguably Pantera’s heaviest album. Songs like “War Nerve” are direct attacks on critics and industry expectations. “13 Steps to Nowhere” features my favorite drum intro of all time—Vinnie hits like the drums owe him money. The emotional journey of “Suicide Note Parts I & II” is powerful and disturbing, while “Floods” showcases one of Dime’s most emotionally charged solos.
Reinventing the Steel
Often overlooked, Reinventing the Steel is still a strong finale to Pantera’s studio output. Tracks like “Hellbound,” “Goddamn Electric” (featuring an outro by Kerry King of Slayer), “Revolution Is My Name,” and “We’ll Grind That Axe for a Long Time” keep the flame burning bright. Though it didn’t hit platinum status, it deserves a revisit.
Regrets and Redemption
Sadly, I never made it to a Pantera show during their classic lineup years. I was only 7 and 8 when they played Saratoga Winners in 1990 and 1991 and couldn’t get to Ozzfest 2000 at SPAC—which many say was the most intense set of the tour. I missed another chance when friends packed into a Chevy Eagle to see them in Poughkeepsie—one of those friends even tossed a wallet on stage, which Phil caught and thanked him for the “Taco Bell money.”
I did, however, catch Phil and Rex in Down, saw Damageplan at Northern Lights just three days before Dimebag was tragically murdered, and saw Hellyeah many times before Vinnie Paul’s passing.
If you’re worried that 2025 Phil can’t match 1994 Phil, just remember—we’ve all changed. What hasn’t changed is the band’s energy, passion, and commitment to giving 100% on stage. You won’t be disappointed.
