DevilDriver and Coal Chamber singer-guitarist Dez Fafara has declared Phil Anselmo the greatest frontman in heavy metal history. He places the Pantera vocalist above even Ozzy Osbourne, following a recent appearance on the Garza Podcast.
Fafara spoke candidly about his admiration for Anselmo. He explained why he considers the Pantera frontman to be in a class of his own among heavy metal vocalists.
“Phillip – for me – I would say is the top frontman in the world, period, end of story,” Fafara said. “I love Ozzy, but I put him above Ozzy. That’s just cause… f*ck, I don’t know, man. Plus, he’ll beat your f*cking ass. He’s real. He’s a real f*cking deal – Holyfield.”
Fafara also expanded on Anselmo’s broader influence on the genre and touched on Pantera’s impact on generations of musicians.
“He’s an amazing front man, amazing writer, and obviously one of the biggest bands in the world,” he continued. “Influenced everybody. I don’t think there’s anybody not influenced by Pantera. I wish I would have found him earlier, I would have got influenced vocally. But that just never happened.”
Fafara’s praise carries particular weight given that his connection to Anselmo goes back further than most. He first crossed paths with the Pantera vocalist while walking down Melrose Avenue, just as Coal Chamber was on the verge of getting signed. That chance encounter eventually grew into a real friendship and a touring relationship that put Fafara directly in Pantera’s orbit. He has recalled sharing a bunk on Anselmo’s tour bus during a run with Pantera — an experience that gave him a close-up view of the frontman he now places above everyone else in the genre.
Anselmo has spoken openly about the frontmen who shaped him. His influences include a wide-ranging list: Rob Halford, Ronnie James Dio, David Lee Roth, Dee Snider, and Ozzy Osbourne — the very figure Fafara now places him above. He has also credited years of performing live from the age of 15 with teaching him how to command a crowd and maintain the raw, grounded stage presence that has defined his career.
Pantera’s influence on the broader metal landscape is equally well-documented. Following the release of Cowboys from Hell and Vulgar Display of Power, the band set a new template for modern heavy metal. Countless major acts absorbed and replicated elements of their sound and approach. Few bands in the genre’s history have left as direct a mark on what came after them.
Fafara’s comments serve as a reminder that Anselmo’s standing among his peers remains as high as ever — not just as a vocalist, but as a defining force in the history of heavy metal.
