NICKELBACK frontman Chad Kroeger commented on the news that remaining PANTERA members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass) will team up with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) for a world tour under the PANTERA name.
Kroeger gave his opinion on PANTERA’s return in an interview with LA Lloyd:
“It sounds selfish, but I want to see these songs performed live. When you listen to a PANTERA album, you think to yourself – as we’ve been thinking for the last, I don’t know, how many years since the band broke up – like, ‘I’ll never see those songs performed live again.’ And it’s heartbreaking. And the guys get called to different places… I love Zakk, I love Charlie – they’re great guys. They’re going to go out there and do it… And Phil should just go on stage and rock out.
I’d go see that. I’d buy a ticket to go to that show. I want to see it. I want to scream these songs. And I think if you call it a dedication, it’s probably closer to the point, and that’s great. These people love this music, they want to recreate it live every night… And like I said, as long as Phil is involved, it’s going to be great. I think PANTERA fans are going to love seeing these guys perform…
With people who don’t like the idea of it, when there’s a concert in their town, I think the same thing will happen that happens to people who say they don’t like NICKELBACK. They always end up at the show. Oddly enough – shock! It’s from the “I hate these guys. They suck.” And then, “Are you going?” – “Sure.” [laughs].”
