WORDS AND IMAGES: CHRIS LOOMIS | The Kia Forum shook like never before when Pantera stormed the stage on August 27, proving they still reign as the undisputed kings of groove-metal and that their fury has lost none of its bite. This wasn’t just a concert, it was a full-on celebration of the Abbott brothers, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, gone too soon but cemented as the creators of Pantera’s resilience and longevity. The packed arena filled with a raw, aggressive aura made sure the energy never dipped for a second even as openers King Parrot and Amon Amarth destroyed the stage.
Back in 2014 timeframe, King Parrot caught the attention of Phil Anselmo and the band has had several touring opportunities with Anselmo’s various bands as a result. Led by vocalist Matt Young, these Australian grindcore masters were the perfect band to open this show with their onslaught of heaviness. The appetizer has been served, Amon Amarth up next.
The Swedish melodic Death Metal Vikings, Amon Amarth have been a touring machine the last few years as the last time they played the Kia Forum was in December 2022 as a headliner. The band hit the stage opening with “Guardians of Asgaard” then the Viking knights appeared for “Shield Wall.”
Vocalist Johan Hegg greeted the Los Angeles crowd and the band played all the hits including the crowd favorite “Put Your Back Into the Oar” that had most of the standing room only floor sit down and row like they were crossing the Klarälven river in Sweden. The band ended with Hegg slamming his larger than life “Thor hammer” onto the stage and a killer rendition of “Twilight of the Thunder God” ended their time onstage.
A large curtain with the Pantera logo was put in place to conceal the stage and videos of the Abott brothers played on the screens on the sides of the stage as “Suicide Note Pt. I” played over the PA, and as soon as it ended the curtain dropped, Pantera blasted into “Suicide Note Pt. II” and the crowd immediately responded with crowd surfing and a large circle pit. Phil Anselmo’s unmistakable voice roared through the KIA Forum and his stage presence, although a bit less active than in the early days, still embodies the Pantera spirit and he sounds better than ever.
The iconic guitar tone and electric squealing that Dimebag made so famous was perfectly matched by Zakk Wylde as he effortlessly ripped through each note nailing the solos, paying tribute to his peer and dear friend. Anselmo greeted the Los Angeles capacity crowd and kept the momentum going with “5 Minutes Alone” and then “Strength Beyond Strength” from 1994’s Far Beyond Driven.
Rex Brown remains active on stage as he provides the thunderous basslines perfectly in sync with the drumming of Charlie Benante who provides his own tribute to the late, great Vinnie Paul. There are no more qualified musicians on planet earth to fill these roles in the band than Benante and Wylde—these four musicians onstage keep the legacy of Pantera active and allow the younger generation an opportunity to see and hear these songs played live, something every heavy metal fan needs to experience.
Anselmo grabbed one of Zakk’s guitars and played a guitar solo during “Goddam Electric” showcasing his six-string skills. The stage had video screens, giant CFH logos, and lots of pyro and along with a killer light show, the visuals enhanced the audio making for a complete heavy metal showcase. The set ended with an electrifying performance of “Cowboys from Hell” and the band stepped off stage only to return with a four-song encore, all from A Vulger Display of Power, beginning with “A New Level” followed by the ultimate sing-along “Walk” that had King Parrot and Rita Haney onstage singing the chorus. “Domination / Hollow” followed, and the show ended with an absolutely insane version of “Fucking Hostile.”
The heaviest tour of the summer certainly lived up to its name, for the fans, for the brothers, for the legacy—Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul live with us beyond forever through their monumental contribution to heavy metal. RIP. Thank You Phil, Rex, Zakk, and Charlie for keeping the legacy alive.
AMON AMARTH
KING PARROT
