Scepticism has been rife since the legendary heavy metal band announced their return for live performances. A lot of people have said ‘Its not Pantera without Dimebag and Vinnie Paul’.

Some old school fans flat out refuse to watch them, but there are those who never had the privilege back in the day, as well as a whole new generation of fans who now want the experience of seeing Pantera live.

I went to the BP Pulse Live in Birmingham, and there were fans everywhere.

Pantera at Black Sabbath Bridge, Birmingham. Image Credit: Pantera Official

Trying to find somewhere to eat was tricky because all the food outlets were full of people in black t-shirts and jeans. No guesses as to where they were heading. Thankfully, I managed to get a Five Guys and fuel up ready for this mammoth show.

I was very excited to see King Parrot for the first time, and I was not disappointed. Their energetic grindcore wasn’t something I could envisage on a big stage, but they managed to pull it off.

The band entered to Kevin Bloody Wilson‘s ‘Absolute C*** of a Day‘ (the Ozzy’s love the ‘c’ word. It is a brilliant, fun word to use) before diving head first into their chaos fueled set.

Vocalist, Matthew Young, stalked the stage like a caged animal, maniacally shouting and growling while the band whipped through a brutal set.

Image Credit: PowerTrip Bandcamp

My anticipation for seeing thrashers, Power Trip, was through the roof. Being a fan of the band, I have not seen them since the tragic passing of their vocalist Riley Gale. As they stepped on to the stage, my heart started beating significantly faster. As soon as they hit their first note, I was nodding or headbanging my head the whole way through.

They really upped the ante for the crowd, with more and more eating out of the palm of their hand.

New vocalist Seth Gilmore is a great fit for the bands style of thrash, as they ruthlessly shred through track after track of fast paced action. I was left smiling ear to ear, along with many others.

Image Credit: Pantera Official

Let’s be honest, everyone was here to see the headliners. This is Pantera’s first UK tour in almost 25 years and you could feel the excitement in the room. Now with Zak Wylde and Charlie Benante in the mix, you couldn’t ask for more established and suitable people to stand in where the Abbott brothers are sorely missed.

When the lights went down, the phones came out ready to film the band kick into the first song. The cheer from the crowd when that banner dropped was thunderous, as we hear the chugging opening to ‘A New Level’. 

Image Credit: Pantera Official

There’s pyro, the crowd surged forward and back (the crush was real, I can tell you) and everyone’s shouting the words back at Phil Anselmo as he growls them at the hordes.

It was classic after classic from the legends, with a fitting tribute video playing on the screens while ‘Floods’ is performed. A very emotional moment for many, before Pantera brought the energy back and the crowd were jumping, pitting, shouting, headbanging and everything in between. 

They ended with a surprising but storming ‘Revolution Is My Name’ and I don’t think one person left with their faculties intact. Pantera are back and can still do the job.

Featured Image Credit: Pantera Official Website