Anthrax and Pantera drummer Charlie Benante recently addressed the possibility of Pantera releasing new music. He shared his thoughts in an interview on Talk Is Jericho.
Benante made clear that while he is personally open to the idea of new material, the decision ultimately rests with the band’s original members — Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown.
“Oh, I can do it, no doubt. But I just don’t know yet if that’s where this is going. I would hope, at some point. We’ll see,” Benante said.
He went on to clarify the roles within the current lineup, emphasizing that he and guitarist Zakk Wylde are in a supporting position.
“It’s all up to Philip and Rex, really, where they wanna take this,” he continued. “Zakk and I are just there for the ride, and [to help], whatever we can do.”
Benante and Wylde have been filling in for the late Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul as Pantera has toured in recent years. Whether the band will move forward with original studio material remains to be seen.
This is not the first time Benante has touched on the subject. His latest comments add to a growing picture of a band whose future in the studio remains genuinely uncertain — even among its own members.
Blabbermouth reported that Benante previously said there was “some talk — but nothing, really” about Pantera making new music. He added that he does not really know what the band’s future plans are beyond a few live shows. The comment suggests that even within the camp, concrete discussions have yet to take shape.
Zakk Wylde has also weighed in on the matter. As MusicRadar noted, Wylde said the group could potentially record original music together. He added that it likely would not be released under the Pantera name. That distinction is significant, as it reflects the sensitivity surrounding the band’s legacy and the weight of carrying forward a name tied so closely to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul.
Wylde also shed light on why progress has been slow. MusicRadar reported that Philip Anselmo is currently occupied with other projects, while Rex Brown is still writing and working on a separate record of his own. With both original members focused elsewhere, new Pantera material is not an immediate priority for either of them.
Taken together, the picture that emerges is one of a band navigating a delicate balance — honoring a legacy while leaving the door open to something new. For now, Benante and Wylde appear content to follow the lead of Anselmo and Brown, whenever — and if ever — that direction becomes clear.
