Zakk Wylde revealed potential plans for new Pantera music during an interview with Guitar Interactive Magazine.
“Well, the fellows [Philip and Rex] were talking about doing something, and Rita [Haney, longtime girlfriend of late Pantera guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott] has tons of cassette recordings of Dime writing riffs and stuff like that,” Wylde explained.
He drew a parallel to illustrate the concept: “So, I guess if it would be like something like, let’s say if it’s Eric Clapton playing with [Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer] Mitch [Mitchell] and [bassist] Noel [Redding], ’cause if Eric went out and did what we’re doing right now, did a Jimi Hendrix celebration, and Mitch and Noel asked Eric Clapton to come out ’cause he was buddies with Jimi and they were just, like, ‘Would you go out and sing and play Jimi’s stuff?'”
“And Eric does it, and then after that, it’s just, like, ‘We’ve got these recordings [that] Jimi never finished, a song called ‘Purple Haze’ and a song called ‘The Wind Cries Mary’ and this song called ‘Little Wing’ or whatever,’ and we’ll properly record ’em [with Eric], because if they were just Jimi just jamming on a tape recorder, just him playing ’em,” Wylde continued.
He added, “If they were, obviously, Dime’s original riffs and ideas, yeah, of course. But Pantera is those four guys. You’re gonna call it the Jimi Hendrix band and you’ve got Eric playing and singing. It’s just Mitch and Noel. If it’s Jimi’s original ideas, and they’re just gonna properly record ’em, take it from the little tape recorder from a cassette, yeah, that would be cool. ‘Cause if it was something Dime wrote and him and Vinnie were working on or whatever…”
The potential new material will feature previously unreleased recordings from late guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott. This news emerges as the band continues to make waves in the metal scene with their current lineup.
Coverage from WCYY highlights that the reformed Pantera has toured actively since late 2022. The current lineup features founding members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown alongside Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. They pay tribute to the legacy of late founding members Vinnie Paul Abbott and ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott.
Ultimate Classic Rock reports strong fan acceptance of the current lineup. The band continues to celebrate their iconic catalog while honoring their fallen brothers.
The metal publication Blabbermouth confirms Pantera’s upcoming Summer 2025 U.S. tour. This announcement reinforces their dedication to preserving the Pantera legacy.
Bassist Rex Brown has expressed interest in creating new music with the reformed lineup. The release of Dimebag’s unreleased material could mark the beginning of Pantera’s next chapter.
