Wordwide metal sensation Pantera returns to Hungary!

The world-renowned metal band Pantera is set to return to Hungary early next year. The band will start their European tour in January and entertain the Hungarian audience at the beginning of February.

2025 European tour kickoff

Pantera, one of the most influential bands in metal history, will commence their European tour on 21 January in Helsinki. The tour will include stops in Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris, according to the event organizer, Live Nation. Following their dual concerts last year in Hungary, Pantera will perform at the Budapest Sports Arena on 3 February 2025, as part of their European tour.

Honouring founding members

The band, currently featuring original members Philip H. Anselmo (vocals) and Rex Brown (bass), along with Zakk Wylde (guitar) and Charlie Benante (drums), will pay tribute to their late founding members, drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell.

Recent performances

The band’s European journey follows successful performances in the UK and Ireland. On June 15, they played at the iconic Download Festival in Donington, marking their first UK show in three decades. This year, they also joined Metallica on their North American stadium tour, Világgazdaság writes.

Hungarian audience connection

Hungarian fans are familiar with Pantera, who performed back-to-back concerts on May 30 and 31 last year at Barba Negra, their first shows in Hungary in 25 years.

Legacy of Pantera

Formed in 1981, Pantera released nine studio albums before disbanding in 2003. They are celebrated as pioneers of heavy (groove/thrash) metal. Four of their albums—”Cowboys from Hell” (1990), “Vulgar Display of Power” (1992), “Far Beyond Driven” (1994), and “The Great Southern Trendkill” (1996)—achieved platinum status in the U.S. Their final album, “Reinventing the Steel,” came out in 2000. They are known for iconic tracks like “Cemetery Gates,” “Walk,” “I’m Broken,” and “Drag the Waters.”

Tragic losses and rebirth

Guitarist Dimebag Darrell was tragically killed in 2004 during a concert in Columbus, Ohio. Drummer Vinnie Paul passed away in 2018. Frontman Phil Anselmo nearly died from a heroin overdose in 1996 but continued his career with bands like Superjoint Ritual and Down, and later with Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, who performed at Hungary’s Rockmaraton festival in 2019. In 2022, Anselmo and Brown revived Pantera with Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante joining them.

Pantera’s impact

To date, Pantera has sold 20 million records worldwide and received four Grammy nominations.

Check out Pantera’s Barba Negra performance from 2023 below:

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