Pantera Shows Strength Beyond Strength In Minnesota

Pantera rolled into Minneapolis, Minnesota and unleashed a fury on a packed Target Center Arena. You can debate if this is Pantera, or a glorified cover band but there is no denying the lethal energy they have as they delivered a brutal set in celebration of one of the most iconic bands in music history.

 

 

Just about a year ago, Metallica was set to takeover USBank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Pantera was one of openers for that show, but before that happened, Pantera played a surprise gig at the First Avenue Nightclub. A packed house welcomed the band as they ripped the roof off the small venue. A couple days later they would do the same at USBank. The band has circled back to Minnesota as they are currently headlining a tour across North America. It was Targets Centers turn to host the high octane outfit for a night of unchecked aggression and fans were ready from the start. 

 

 

The first band on the stage was an Australian grindcore unit called King Parrot. They used the strategy of hit the crowd in the nose early and then often. This five-piece group was on the attack from the start and never let up. I’m sure I wasn’t alone in not knowing anything about this band but frontman Matt Young forced you to pay to attention to them and listen. The pace was frantic and chaotic and the music extremely raw and unfiltered. King Parrot was the shot of adrenaline that got the night rolling and it didn’t matter if you liked them, or hated them, they gave the crowd a lasting impression of what they are all about. 

 

 

The king’s of Viking Metal, Amon Amarth, took to the stage next. The stunning drum riser of warrior’s helmet sat center stage with a towering statue of a viking warrior of each end of the stage. There was no question the crowd knew who this band that hails from Sweden was and they were there for every minute of it. Frontman Johan Hegg’s deep growls echoed through the arena like thunder as the band ripped through a nine-song set that opened with “Guardians of Asgaard” and then into “Shield Wall.” The fun part of the night came during “Put Your Back Into the Oar” as the crowd in the pit all sat down and began to row in unison. Another great highlight was hearing the new song, “We Rule The Waves”  live and it sounded fantastic. 

 

 

 

 

The band, as always, was at absolute precision in the execution of the music. The duel guitars of Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Soderberg played perfectly with soaring riffs and melodic passages. The rhythm section of bassist Ted Lundstrom and drummer Jocke Wallgren kept the foundation heavy and gave plenty of space for the guitarist to shine. The tradition of Hegg raising his horn to toast the crowd is always a fun moment and then kicking into one of my favorite songs by them, “Raise Your Horns,” capped the set for me. When it comes to this genre of music, there is nobody better than Amon Amarth and they proved that once again at this show. 

 

 

When the curtain dropped and “Hellhound” was unleashed into the atmosphere, this show was on and the intensity of the crowd instantly shot up. The heaviness of the music and the fire cannons that lined the back riser unleashed a fury that could be felt as much as it was heard. At center stage was singer Phil Anselmo and his deep voice and growls hit with aggression and truth. The man still has an unquestionable presence that nobody can quite replicate. Bassist Rex Brown roamed the stage bringing that familiar bass tone that has always been part of the iconic sound Pantera created. 

 

 

There is only one Dimebag Darrell and he is one of the few guitar players that can never be replaced or replicated. He was unique to himself and was, without question, the sound that drove the Pantera machine. Zakk Wylde has never tried to be the replacement guitar player, but a guy who is part of that brotherhood and does everything in celebration of Dimebag and the legacy of the music that was created. Zakk isn’t trying to clone the songs but plays the songs in homage to the band but also maintains his own style. He is still one of the funnest guitar players to watch play.

 

 

 

The same could be said for Vinnie Paul on the drums. He is not replaceable and drummer Charlie Benante isn’t trying to do that. He is another guy that is part of that Pantera brotherhood and understands that he is part of preserving the sound and celebrating the legacy of the band. He played fantastic and played huge  and when you have a song like “Walk” that drives with that drum, Charlie was perfect. 

 

 

 

So many great moments from this show, I loved hearing “10’s,” “I’ll Cast A Shadow” and “This Love” was a brutal sledgehammer hitting the floor. A nice video montage during “Domination/Hollow” which was dedicated to Dime and Vinnie was emotional and very cool. Maybe my favorite moment of the night was “Cowboys From Hell.” That song has so much intensity and the nostalgia of hearing that song took me back to the seeing the video for the song for the first time and wondering what is it and do I like it? It was such a different sound from what I was listening to at that time and hearing it live again at this show took me back.  I know the debate will forever go on about if this is Pantera, is it a cover band, should they playing as Pantera. Metal fans love to debate and everybody has an opinion. When you look at the line-up, this is not Pantera, but when you go to a show, the lights drop, and that sound hits you in the face, that to me is Pantera. This music was built and to played as massive and as loud as it can be and I guarantee that every person at Target Center on this night, were throwing horns, singing along, moshing in the circle pit and celebrating one of the most iconic metal bands there has ever been. That is what this is all about in the end.