Since reuniting as a celebration of the original group in 2023, metal legends Pantera have been re-embraced by longtime fans while also garnering a whole new generation of headbangers. There’s been speculation since their return that the group could record new material with the current lineup featuring singer Philip Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, guitarist Zakk Wylde and drummer Charlie Benante.
On a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, Benante talked about the possibility of Pantera making new music. Chris Jericho asked Benante if he and Wylde would be able to come up with new riffs in the style of Pantera. Benante is also an accomplished guitarist and the primary musical songwriter for thrash legends Anthrax.
“Oh, I can do it, no doubt,” he said. “But I just don’t know yet if that’s where this is going. I would hope, at some point. We’ll see. It’s all up to Philip and Rex, really, where they wanna take this. Zakk and I are just there for the ride, and to help, whatever we can do.”
Benante also compared how he drums for Pantera as opposed to his work in Anthrax. “I guess the thing is that people don’t realize this, but the Anthrax style of drumming, or the drumming in Anthrax, is so busy,” Benante explained. “Vinnie’s style of playing is so — I call it the meat and potatoes of Pantera, because when Vinnie does something with a bit of flair, it’s, like, ‘Wow, that’s really cool. That’s such a signature lick right there.’ Whether it’s ‘Becoming’ or ‘Cowboys From Hell’, that’s such a Vinnie lick. There’s no way I was gonna replace that with anything that was gonna be too busy. I stuck to exactly what Vinnie did. And I’ve said this many times where the drum configuration is exactly like Vinnie’s, so I can’t go off and play anything else. I’m sticking to his parts. And I think Philip and Rex really respect that. I know they do, because Rex sometimes will close his eyes and it’s like he’s playing with Vinnie. And he said that to me, too. It’s the same thing with Philip. They wanna hear the way they heard it. So I am not coming in and gonna alter it. I’m playing it exactly how they want it.”
Check out Benante’s full Talk Is Jericho interview below.
