Pantera drummer Charlie Benante recently floated the idea of Pantera potentially making new music in the future. Benante kept his wording diplomatic, as the topic of new music is touchy given the absence of the Abbott brothers.
"Oh man… who knows?" he said in an interview with Brave Words. "Creatively, if we are just flowing and getting going, and things are starting to be really good, musically speaking, you never know what could happen. I've got tons of riffs.
"But we're putting the cart before the horse. I like the positivity there, but I don't know how people would react to that either at this point. I think first, let's get out there and establish that we can play. I'm always open to the future."
Pantera is currently vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown alongside Black Label Society guitarist Zakk Wylde and Benante on drums. This lineup has sparked numerous conversations about whether the band is actually Pantera or simply a tribute to the band without Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. And on the topic of new music, Killswitch Engage guitarist Adam D makes his feelings on using the Pantera name perfectly clear.
Adam D said in an interview with the RRBG Podcast that making new music under the Pantera name would be disrespectful to the band's legacy, adding that it should be done under a different name.
"I don't know about that," he said. "Yeah, you can do it but just don't call it Pantera. Pantera just put that stamp in metal music so hard, and its importance is so tremendous. You just make sure you do not disrespect that legacy, man. Don't do it, man. Don't do it. As long as it's done tastefully. Do everything the right way."
Adam D later clarified that he thinks the Pantera tribute tour is a good idea, saying "I think as long as it's done tastefully and with respect to the two brothers, I feel like it's a good thing. Because it can be seen as a celebration of their music, and I think that's good."
