Pantera
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Camden, New Jersey
8/2/23
By: Steve Trager
Pantera, one of the most influential and iconic heavy metal bands of all time, has returned to the stage for the first time in over two decades in the summer of 2023for not just the fans but for the brothers who were main element of Pantera to celebrate a legacy of their music as if it has never left any stone unturned spanning the bands unprecedented career from the early nineties’.
Pantera’s musical brilliance can never be ignored and can never be forgotten as the spirit of their music lives on through both Darrell “Dimebag” and Vinnie Paul who were the key elements that defined a generation of musicians.
Much like any band, the music simply says it all, from rich guitar decibels and melodic solos to the abundance of wholesome lyrics that driven Pantera to simply become more than just a house hold name, Pantera ‘s legacy lives on throughout each and every song ever written.
The summer of concerts and festivals wouldn’t be a complete meltdown without Pantera taking the stage one last time perhaps with two original members Bassist Rex Brown and front man vocalist Phil Anselmo alongside Anthrax’s Charlie Benante and BLS/ Ozzy’s Zakk Wylde taking all those beloved master pieces once again for a mental joyride like the original Pantera was truly reborn again.
While no one can replace Dimebag and Vinnie shoes, we the fans were reluctantly graced with this infectious music to soar through the walls of Camden New Jersey’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion for a show unlike no other.
We all know no one can ever replace Dime bag’s blistering guitar riffs and his ability to levitate the stage into a whole new atmosphere while entertaining fans alike.
For some of us who had a rare opportunity to this band in their prime was a show beyond a show, and for other this time around was perhaps one last chance to hear all those beloved songs freshly dusted off for what would be a great experience of pure talent with Charlie and Zakk rounding out duties on this tour.
The energy cascading throughout the parking lots of the venue filled to capacity blasting Pantera songs from car to car, the excitement was quickly escalating in what would be a fantastic evening of a musical trip down memory lane.
As if having a thrill seeker like Pantera closing the show, we also had another incredible band Virginia boys Lamb of God, who are no stranger to the Philadelphia venues as they too have made an name for themselves with headlining shows throughout venues small and wide making what some call an everlasting visual impression with a great show, and a metal nod for Child Bite who opened the show going on in daylight right around 6ish.
Sitting through two great bands certainly would get the juices flowing especially with Lamb of God proving that they can work any mosh pit into a frenzy performing a ear blistering set with “walk with me in hell”, “resurrection man” , and “laid to rest”.
I love the quick change over’s on off and right onto the next band, the stage was draped with a Pantera curtain as the final preps got underway, light went down and the curtain began to descend and the opening roar into the first song was nothing short of stellar ecstasy with “a new level” and “mouth for war” both from 1992’s vulgar display of power absolutely shook the roof off the venue with in just the first ten minutes into their set.
Every song was like a monumental trip while watching video clips of Dime and Vinnie across the screens while the chants were louder than the music at some points, this was an extreme reflection for the love and the respect for the music that was created with one intention and that was to be pure greatness with a band that everyone admired throughout a lifetime of memories.
Over ninety minutes of pure mayhem with other master pieces that Zakk Wylde certain filled dimes shoes with captivating solos in “five minutes alone”, “this love”, and “ cemetery gates”.
Like many rock shows where the hype is at a high point at the beginning and then drops off right in the middle, this show obviously had that hype from the moment the curtain went down and the vocal lyrics started to flow out Phil’s mouth, the thousands of die-hard fans knew that it was going to be an unprecedented experience one would never forget especially if you been a loyal true Pantera fanatic.
While we will never see the actual Pantera re emerge again, this was a true celebration of the life of this band through the memories, the music, and the legacy of the Abbott brothers gracing the stage alongside musicians that sparked a great evening of music spanning generations of metal fans far and wide.
Lamb of God Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram |
Pantera Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram |
