Philip Anselmo (Down, Pantera, Arson Anthem, Superjoint Ritual) joined Scott Ian (Anthrax), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Charlie Benante (Anthrax) and Kerry King (Slayer) on stage earlier this evening (Monday, September 12) at the second Metal Masters Clinic at the Best Buy Theater in New York City to perform two Pantera classics: “A New Level” and “Fucking Hostile”. Videos of the two performances can be seen below.
Rita Haney, the girlfriend of late Pantera guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, recently called on former Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott and singer Philip Anselmo to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag, who was shot and killed by a crazed gunman while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at a Columbus, Ohio rock club in December 2004.
Vinnie, who is Dimebag’s brother, and Anselmo have not spoken since Pantera split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie indirectly blamed Philip for Dimebag’s death, suggesting that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag’s killer.
Now Haney has spoken out about the long-running feud, saying, “Everybody still has resentment towards each other about things in the past. It’s easy to direct your anger at the wrong people. Philip didn’t murder Darrell and [he] would never have wanted that.”
Haney added, “Yeah, I resent Philip for becoming a jackass and a drug addict, and I’m a little sketchy about trusting him all the way yet. But some of the things he’s emailed and some of the thing he’s said — that’s the Philip I know, the ‘stronger than all.’ There’s always room in my heart for him — I love him.”
Haney admitted that Vinnie is not happy that she’s been in touch with Anselmo, saying, “I just hope some day he sees the light that I know Darrell is about, which is forgiving. I know it’ll come in time — you’ve got to let go to continue on.”
Perhaps just perhaps Pantera may get started again but who knows for certain.
by: Natalie Perez
