During a recent appearance on the popular YouTube channel "The Bass Nerds," Rex Brown, the iconic bassist for the legendary metal band Pantera, offered his candid reflections on the band’s unprecedented role as a supporting act for Metallica on their sprawling "M72" World Tour. Brown expressed profound gratitude and admiration for the opportunity, describing the multi-year engagement as an "honor" and highlighting the immense scale and success of the tour, which has seen Pantera sharing stages with the thrash metal titans across the globe since its inception.
"The ‘M72’ tour is just an honor to be on for a whole three and a half years now," Brown stated during the podcast. "And those guys are just the tops." This sentiment underscores the deep respect and camaraderie that has developed between the two titans of heavy metal. The "M72" World Tour, which kicked off in April 2023, is a monumental undertaking by Metallica, designed to bring their music to a global audience with a unique stage setup and a rotating roster of prominent support acts. Pantera’s inclusion as a consistent opener for a significant portion of the tour signifies a powerful testament to their enduring legacy and the continued relevance of their music in the contemporary metal scene.
Brown elaborated on the unique challenges and rewards of performing on Metallica’s elaborate stage, characterized by its distinctive, massive ring-shaped configuration and the central "Snake Pit" area, which offers select fans an up-close experience with the band. "The stage is a weird configuration, but once you just get up and start playing, it just comes naturally," he explained. "You just have a lot of people to cover… It’s like a doughnut in the middle of a stadium." He vividly recalled some of the iconic venues where Pantera has performed as part of the tour, including MetLife Stadium in New York, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and Soldier Field in Chicago. "So we were playing… I think the first run we were doing, we did MetLife in New York, and we did SoFi in L.A., and Soldier Field – so many places you just dream of playing. And they were all sold to the gills. Metallica’s huge, man." The sheer magnitude of these sold-out stadium shows, coupled with Metallica’s unparalleled global fanbase, provides a significant platform for Pantera’s current iteration.
A Respected Reunion: Metallica’s Endorsement
The decision to reunite Pantera with surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown on bass, alongside guitarist Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax), has been met with widespread discussion within the music community. However, Metallica, a band with a long-standing relationship with Pantera, has publicly voiced their strong support for this new chapter.
In early 2023, prior to the commencement of the "M72" tour, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich shared his perspective on the Pantera reunion in an interview with Revolver magazine. Ulrich expressed his unequivocal approval, stating, "I think that the idea that they’re out celebrating the music and the magic of Pantera is… I know there’s been a lot of talk in the community about whether people support that or not. But I’m the type of person, if Glenn Hughes wants to go out and play a Deep Purple set, I’d support that." This analogy highlights Ulrich’s belief in the importance of preserving and celebrating the legacy of influential bands, even in the absence of original members.
Ulrich further elaborated on his philosophy: "I’m always in favor of people following their musical and creative ambitions; so this Pantera reunion, I think, is good. And obviously having Charlie up there is great. I saw a video from one of the Mexico shows that felt like they were in the pocket. It’ll be fun to have them out." His acknowledgment of Benante’s contribution and the band’s palpable energy on stage demonstrates a genuine appreciation for the current lineup’s ability to capture the spirit of Pantera.
Decades of Friendship: The Metallica-Pantera Connection
The relationship between Metallica and Pantera extends back several decades, predating Anselmo’s tenure in Pantera. Ulrich recalled the early days of their friendship, which began during Metallica’s "Ride the Lightning" tour. "We met the brothers on the ‘Ride The Lightning’ tour and became friends with them," he recounted. "This was in Dallas in – what – 1622 or something? It was about 400 years ago." While speaking with a touch of hyperbole, Ulrich emphasized the longevity of their bond. "We obviously loved both of them, and they had a posse down there, and we would see them whenever we came through Texas. We watched the band evolve over the years from more rock vibes into that creative, unique force that they became. So, we’ve had a relationship with them for decades and decades."
This deep-seated friendship was poignantly underscored by Ulrich’s statement following the tragic murder of Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell in December 2004. In his heartfelt tribute, Ulrich described his initial encounter with Darrell and his brother, Vinnie Paul Abbott, in Dallas during Metallica’s 1985 tour. "The first thing me and my friend did as soon as that tour was over was to head straight back to Dallas and hang out with Darrell and Vinnie for a long time, ’cause they were the coolest mutherfuckers that we had met after criss-crossing the states for three months," he wrote. "That was the beginning of a friendship that was anchored in love, respect, fun, outrageousness, music, booze, sweat, late nights, early mornings, hangovers, headaches, pounding eardrums, sore bodies… the list goes on." He further lauded the Abbott brothers as "the cornerstone of musical adventures that were always groundbreaking, pushing boundaries, challenging to themselves and to their fans, respected by their peers and always true musicians’ musicians."
A Tribute to Legacy: The Broader Impact
The current iteration of Pantera, featuring Anselmo and Brown alongside Wylde and Benante, has embarked on a global touring schedule that goes beyond their role as openers for Metallica. They have headlined festivals and played their own shows, allowing a new generation of fans to experience the power of Pantera’s music live, while also offering long-time devotees a chance to celebrate the band’s indelible impact.
The inclusion of Zakk Wylde, a guitarist renowned for his blistering solos and powerful stage presence, and Charlie Benante, a drummer celebrated for his precision and intensity, has been widely acknowledged as a strong choice by fans and critics alike. In a 2024 interview with StarTribune.com, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett voiced his positive assessment of the reformed Pantera: "I think it’s a great thing. It’s a tribute to the brothers keeping their legacy alive. And it’s a great thing for Pantera fans. Even though it’s not the original Pantera, you still get to see Phil and Rex, and Zakk and Charlie are doing a damn good job."
The sentiment of mutual inspiration and respect between Metallica and Pantera is a recurring theme. James Hetfield, Metallica’s frontman, spoke about his personal connection with Dimebag Darrell in a May 2023 appearance on SiriusXM’s "Metal Ambassador" podcast. "Well, what a blessing to have been in his life and him in my life," Hetfield said. "And yeah, some of those early days, just traveling down there to the Dallas area and meeting with those guys and just hanging out. Yeah, Dimebag introduced me to the solid state amp, I remember. He had this fricking amazing crunch going on. I was, like, ‘What is that?’ You know? So, uh, yeah. [We] inspired each other. He inspired me as well. No doubt."
The "M72" Tour: A Spectacle of Metal Giants
The "M72" World Tour represents a significant moment in contemporary heavy music. Metallica’s decision to feature a diverse array of acclaimed metal acts as support across different legs of the tour, including Pantera, Mastodon, Five Finger Death Punch, Ice Nine Kills, and Architects, underscores their commitment to presenting a comprehensive metal experience for their audience. This strategy not only provides a substantial platform for the supporting bands but also curates a powerful lineup that caters to the broad spectrum of metal subgenres.
Pantera’s participation in this extensive tour is particularly noteworthy. The band, which was active from 1981 to 2003, with a brief reunion in 2005, left an indelible mark on the metal landscape with their aggressive sound, powerful riffs, and raw lyrical content. The tragic deaths of Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott in 2004 and 2018, respectively, seemed to signal the definitive end of Pantera’s active career. However, the current touring entity, sanctioned by the estates of the Abbott brothers, allows their music to be experienced live once more, fulfilling a long-held desire for many fans.
The "M72" tour’s innovative stage design, featuring a massive circular setup that allows for 360-degree views of the performance, transforms each venue into an immersive arena of sound and light. This ambitious production amplifies the impact of both Metallica’s headlining set and the supporting performances, creating a truly unforgettable concert experience. For Rex Brown, performing nightly on such a grand scale, alongside one of the most influential bands in history, represents not just a professional engagement but a deeply personal and historical continuation of Pantera’s enduring legacy. The tour’s success, marked by consistently sold-out stadiums and enthusiastic fan reception, solidifies the enduring power of Pantera’s music and the continued significance of their place within the pantheon of heavy metal.
