Pantera | Energy Journey | King Parrot
First Direct Enviornment, Leeds
nineteenth February 2025
Pantera tour the UK for the primary time in 25 years, delivering an incendiary present that proves there’s nonetheless life within the band, even with out the late nice members Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. An evening of thunderous metallic and headbanging highlights why they continue to be one in every of music’s most influential metallic acts.
As quickly as you’re wherever close to the venue, there are enormous crowds clad in battle jackets with huge beards making their technique to Leeds First Direct Enviornment. It might seem to be a stereotype however each different particular person appears the identical as they head into the venue for an evening of moshing and headbanging to one of the crucial iconic metallic bands round: Pantera.
With two help bands – King Parrot (who’re on Phil Anselmo’s document label) and Energy Journey – even earlier than the primary occasion, there’s a enormous crowd prepared and looking forward to the mayhem to start. First up is King Parrot, who take to the stage to I’ve Had An Absolute Cunt of A Day, bringing a touch of humour to the beginning of their present. They burst into their set like a ball of power, relentless and unforgiving as they set the tempo for what’s to return all through the evening. The gang sadly doesn’t reciprocate the power as they stand politely nodding their heads, with just some banging their heads alongside furiously. It’s a disgrace, however then you definitely bear in mind that almost all of the individuals right here will probably be nicely into their 50s and saving themselves for Pantera. Their music isn’t fairly fitted to huge and cavernous arenas, however we all know full nicely it might be unimaginable to witness down the highway on the Key Membership. The band taunt the viewers, telling us that the group in Glasgow was miles higher, which flicks a swap within the crowd who provide up a small but enjoyable trying circle pit. They take advantage of their brief slot, however they positively go away a mark on the evening as they go away the stage, deserving a little bit extra from the viewers.
Energy Journey takes to the stage, erupting right into a cavalcade of sound that in some way ups the ante from what got here earlier than with King Parrot. Immediately, an infinite mosh pit opens up and the group transfer in unison as all of them band their heads collectively, making a wave of metallic head hair. Energy Journey’s sound goes by a number of types, from straight-up hardcore to groove metallic, providing a pleasant little bit of selection in sound which compliments the vocalist completely. Their command of the group is exemplary because the swathes of sweaty our bodies do every part the band instructions of them: it’s a terrific instance of showmanship. Energy Journey themselves are like a freight practice – as soon as they get going, it seems like nothing will cease them till an incident within the crowd halts the present. After a brief cease, they choose again up the place they left off and the chaos presumes. Energy Journey by no means misses a beat and it looks as if they’re going give Pantera a run for his or her cash. After a tribute to former frontman Riley Gale, they provide their all one last time, leaving all they’ve on the stage. As they go, an infinite curtain bearing the brand of Pantera drops, eliciting an enormous roar from the group.
Bang on 9.30, the home lights dim and the curtain drops, signalling mayhem. Pyro, flashing lights and a surging crowd in full voice kick the Pantera showcase in distinctive fashion, opening with A New Degree. Virtually immediately, the standing space turns into the battlefield it’s been threatening to show into. As they energy into the remainder of their set, following with Mouth For Struggle and Energy Past Energy, the sensation is that this will probably be fairly the present. Every track is met with utter adulation from the group as they get louder and louder. Controversial frontman Phil Anselmo stalks the stage barefoot as if he’s at residence commanding the viewers, who’re consuming out of the palm of his hand. His voice sounds simply pretty much as good because it did again within the day too – it’s like he’s by no means been away. The insanity within the crowd isn’t simply remoted to the standing space; all through the seating followers are banging their heads furiously alongside to songs equivalent to I’m Broke.
New members Zakk Wylde and Chris Benante shine all through the present. While they’ll by no means be Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, they maintain their very own and play as in the event that they’ve been within the band their complete lives. They by no means miss a beat, creating an intense environment that some bands can solely dream of constructing. The barrage of hits is continuous, as each hits you want a hammer hitting an anvil. It’s genuinely spectacular {that a} group of men of their late 50s/early 60s can play with such ferocity and at such a excessive tempo. A second of respite sees Ansemo jokingly praising the mother and father of the ’90s for turning their youngsters to them, so there’s a little bit of power from the youthful members of the viewers, earlier than they launch into Changing into. Wylde himself is sort of a wizard on the guitar, enjoying solos that don’t appear doable. Everyone seems to be mesmerised by what’s on stage; it really is sort of a present in itself, watching him play.
After powering by hits like Suicide Observe Pt. II and 5 Minutes Alone that deliver a slower tempo to the present, This Love elicits an enormous response from the group and sees the band gradual issues down a contact earlier than launching again into the fray, as each the viewers and bands power stays unmatched. Flood has a poignant second wherein the band lay tribute to the late and nice former members of the band, Vinnie and Dimebag, which is met with thunderous applause from everybody within the crowd. Stroll will get precisely the response you’d anticipate, ramping the power again up after some gradual sections; it even sees each help acts taking to the stage to sing alongside and sees the viewers being the loudest they’ve been all evening because the refrain echoes like a battle cry all through the venue. From right here on in, it’s a victory lap because the carnage continues all through Domination/Hole, and the primary set ends on Cowboys From Hell. After a break, the band return to the stage for one last onslaught of metallic because the incendiary observe, Fucking Hostile, brings proceedings to a riotous shut.
All through the present, I’ve an internal battle inside, watching the band and understanding a few sure occasion involving Phil Anselmo prior to now. Musically, nevertheless, it’s arms down the most effective present I’ve ever seen from a metallic band. I’ve been fortunate sufficient over time to see exhibits from the likes of Metallica, Software and Slipknot to call a number of – Pantera nevertheless take the crown. I’ve by no means seen a band play with a lot energy. It’s a present that had us hooked from begin to end – not a vulgar show of energy, however the final show of energy.
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Comply with Pantera: Web site | Fb | Instagram | Twitter
Comply with Energy Journey: Bandcamp | Fb | Instagram | Twitter
Comply with King Parrot: Web site | Fb | Instagram | Twitter
All phrases by Ed Walton, you will discover his creator’s archive for Louder Than Struggle right here.
Pictures by Andy Pountney. Extra of Andy’s pictures may be seen on Instagram
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