Vinnie Paul Discusses the Possibility of a Pantera Reunion Without Dimebag

Posted on Mar 16th 2012 1:30PM by Amy Sciarretto Comments

Ebet Roberts, Redferns

The prospect of a Pantera reunion has been discussed throughout the years, which begs a significant question. How can there be a Pantera reunion without the late, great guitarist Dimebag Darrell, who's signature riffing made the band what it was? It's a simple equation. No Dime = No Pantera.

Dime's friend and fellow legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde has been suggested as a possible stand in for Dime if a reunion were to take shape or take place. But while Wylde shreds like nobody's business, no one can replace Dime.

Cindy Scull of 97.1 the Eagle, a Dallas/Fort Worth radio station, nabbed some time with the former Pantera and current HELLYEAH drummer (and Dime's brother) Vinnie Paul, who essentially dismissed the idea of anyone else stepping in for Dimebag, despite his respect for Wylde. There's also that whole issue with Vinnie Paul no longer speaking to singer Philip Anselmo, but that's another story for another day.

"I spent two hours with Zakk, sitting down - a really great talk about 'the old man,'" Paul said, referring to what Zakk calls Dime. "I mean, Zakk and my brother were so tight. If it ever were to happen, Zakk would be the guy. But I honestly think, out of respect for my brother, we should just leave the 14 amazing years Pantera had be. We're all happy doing our own thing. We have to continue living and do other things."

Paul also spoke about the forthcoming 20th anniversary edition of 'Vulgar Display Of Power,' which is set to drop in May, dubbing it the band's "best record ever." He also spoke about the formerly "lost" track 'Piss,' saying, "There's a new song on nobody's ever heard [that goes] 'You're just piss in the wind.' It's totally Phil - his attitude, everything that Pantera was all about. I'm really proud of it."

Dimebag died on on Dec. 8, 2004 when Damageplan, the band that Paul and his brother formed after Pantera disbanded, was performing in support of their album at a show at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. While playing with his brother, former Halford guitarist turned vocalist Patrick Lachman and bassist Bob Zilla, Abbott was shot dead in after a crazed fan named Nathan Glee ran on stage and shot him at point blank range. Five people wound up dying in the bloody rampage, including Abbott, a fan, a venue employee, one of Darrell's bodyguards, and the shooter himself, who was shot on site by a law enforcement official present at the venue.

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