Max Cavalera Praises Pantera Reunion: “It’s the Closest You Get to the Real Thing”
Former Sepultura and current Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera has once again shared his thoughts on the Pantera “reunion” shows, where classic members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown are joined by guitarist Zakk Wylde and drummer Charlie Benante.
Noting that he and his brother Igor have played plenty of classic Sepultura-centric shows over the last few years, Cavalera said that (transcribed by Blabbermouth) he supports the reunion.
“I think it’s cool that they’re doing that. I do something very similar with my brother, where we go out and we play a lot of Sepultura albums that the fans really love it and they never got the chance to see it, for one reason or another. And they get to see it with the real drums and the real vocals and the real guitar. So it’s the closest you get to the real thing. And Pantera is the same thing.”
After a brief aside, Cavalera continues his thoughts and encourages fans to see the reunited/tribute Pantera lineup.
“Yeah, I think it’s cool, especially the generation that never got to see it. I was there. I got to see it from the side of the stage every night. It was great… But I’m thinking about people that never got to see it, never got to experience that. For sure, go see it. It’s not the original thing, but it’s as close you can get from the original thing. It’s fucking cool. The music is so powerful, it’s so good, it’s so cool that it will get through to the people. And I feel that way when I do those things with my brother. When we play those old songs, it connects to the whole audience. And it’s a huge tribute.
“It sucks that Dimebag and Vinnie are no longer here, but at the same time, especially if you’re a young kid and you grew up loving Pantera and never got to see it, for sure, go see it, man. Just be a part of it. It’s a unique experience.”
Check out Pantera live dates below.
Pantera Shows So Far:
12/15 São Paulo, BRA – Vibra São Paulo (feat. Judas Priest)
12/18 São Paulo, BRA – Knotfest Brazil
05/26 Sofia, BUL – Armeets Arena
05/27 Bucharest, ROM – Metalhead Meeting Open Air Festival
05/30 Budapest, HUN – Barba Negra
05/31 Vienna, AUT – Gasometer
06/02-04 Nürburg, GER – Rock am Ring
06/02-04 Nuremberg, GER – Rock im Park
06/05 Lodz, POL – Atlas Arena
06/08-10 Hyvinkaa, FIN – Rock Fest
06/10 Solvesborg, SWE – Sweden Rock Festival
06/12 Prague, CZE – O2 Arena
06/13 Berlin, GER – Verti Music Hall
06/15 Copenhagen, DEN – Copenhell
06/21 Hamburg, GER – Edel Optics
06/22-24 Oslo, NOR – Tons Of Rock
07/02 Bologna, ITA – The Return Of The Gods Festival
7/14-7/16 Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration
08/04 East Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/11 Montreal, QC – Stade Olympique (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/18 Arlington, TX – AT&T Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/25 Los Angeles, CA – Sofi Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
09/01 Phoenix, AZ – State Farm Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
11/03 St. Louis, MO – The Dome at America’s Center (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
11/10 Detroit, MI – Ford Field (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
2024:
08/02 Foxborough, MA – Gillette Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/09 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/16 Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Bank Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/23 Edmonton, AB – Commonwealth Stadium (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
08/30 Seattle, WA – Lumen Field (feat. Metallica & Mammoth WVH)
