Tony Iommi & Alex Van Halen Join Pantera For Reunion Tour

The Heavy Metal world was reeling after the surviving members of Pantera announced that the band will be reuniting and touring. Fans flipped again moments later when rumors surfaced that Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante would be joining the band. However, a spokesperson has confirmed that Zakk and Charlie have dropped out. They also confirmed that Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi will be joining the band along with Alex Van Halen.

Pantera is one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history. Combining elements of hardcore and thrash, they created a menacing sound that many acts have tried to replicate. Created by late brothers Vincent “Vinnie Paul” Abbott on drums and “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott on guitar, Pantera broke through following the release of their fifth album, 1990s Cowboys from Hell.

Super Group

Pantera Singer Philip Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown announced they will tour in 2023 as a tribute to their fallen bandmates, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. With the addition of Metal Guitar God Tony Iommi and Drummer extraordinaire, Alex Van Halen, they may have assembled the greatest Super group in Heavy Metal history.

Tony Iommi & Alex Van Halen Join Pantera For Reunion Tour

The original premature announcement had Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne and BLS fame joining the band on tour. Zakk Wylde told Madhouse News that he was approached with the idea but respectfully declined. “I have a lot of stuff going on in 2023” said Wylde. “I am redoing the kitchen in my house. Also, I want to catch up on Yellowstone, Better Call Saul and a few other shows on TV.”

Anselmo commented, “I am psyched for touring with Iommi and Van Halen. They are my heroes. Other musicians we approached included Ringo Starr, Slash, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Dave Grohl, Richard Christy, Nita Strauss, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and even that guy in Slayer with the bad tribal tattoos. But in the end, Tony and Alex were the best fit. It’s going to be Epic,”

Not Pantera

Fans were not as excited at the thought of Pantera touring without the Abbott brothers. Fan Victor Stamboling was not pleased. “I have lost the will to live” cried Stamboling. “I survived two wars, lost a leg in a shark attack, my wife left me and yet this is the worst thing that ever happened to me. This is a glorified cover band without Dimebag and Vinnie. Maybe if they call the band ‘NOT Pantera’ then I will go. Otherwise I may buy all the tickets to every show. Then stand in the front row throwing my feces at them.”