Pantera does not play at German rock festivals

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The American heavy metal band Pantera is said to not play at the music festivals “Rock im Park” and “Rock am Ring” in Germany after heavy criticism. This was announced by the organizers.

The band Pantera at the Danish heavy metal festival Copenhell 2022 in Copenhagen

“The band Pantera will not appear at 'Rock im Park' and 'Rock am Ring' 2023 as announced”, shared the  ;Organizer on Monday evening (January 23, 2023) on Twitter in identically worded statements.

They explained that in the past weeks they had intensive discussions with artists, partners and festival fans, continued to deal with the criticism and now decided to take the band out of the program ;when the line-ups were announced on the homepages of the twin festivals in Nuremberg and at the Nürburgring in the Eifel region at the beginning of June, the group is now missing. On Pantera's own website there are also no more entries for Nuremberg and the Nürburgring under Tour dates.

Triggers for the criticism

Phil Anselmo's behavior at the 2016 “Dimebash” festival caused a scandal

The discussions about Pantera's possible appearances at “Rock im Park” and “Rock am Ring” were triggered by an earlier behavior of the band's singer, Phil Anselmo. He is said to have made racist comments at the “Dimebash” festival in 2016 and shown the Hitler salute. A video of it circulated on the internet. Anselmo later apologized. The “Dimebash” festival was held in memory of former Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, who was shot dead in 2004. 

In terms of the history, it also proved problematic that the venue of “Rock im Park” in Nuremberg is on the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Among the critics of a Pantera appearance there were the Greens in the Nuremberg city council. She warned against misusing the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds “deliberately for the staging and reproduction of racist and inhuman ideology”.The organizers of the rock festivals, Argo Konzerte GmbH from Würzburg, initially announced (January 10, 2023) that Pantera would perform in June despite the criticism. Next to a pictogram showing a figure throwing a swastika into a garbage can, it was read that the band should be given a chance. In discussions with Pantera and the management, the organizer was “credibly assured” that The singer's behavior in 2016 “in no way reflects the views of the band and he sincerely and deeply regrets his actions”.

Argo Konzerte GmbH also reminded that “Rock im Park” stands for tolerance and diversity, among other things. Headliners in June include “Kings of Leon” and “Tenacious D.”. In addition, groups like the Berlin hip hoppers “K.I.Z.” and the punk rockers “Die Toten Hosen”, who are known to position themselves against right-wing tendencies. “Die Toten Hosen” had published a detailed statement on Facebook on the occasion of Pantera's possible participation.

In it they described that they “feel the whole situation (…) as complicated and unfortunate” and that there was no talk of Pantera's appearance when they agreed. But they also pointed out that Pantera will be playing at numerous European festivals this year. 

On tour: Pantera reunited

Pantera only announced their comeback in 2022 and will open in 2023 European Tour. In Germany, concerts in Berlin and Hamburg are also on the agenda. Pantera's current line-up consists of frontman Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown. On the reunion tour, they will be supported by Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, as well as Grady Champion. 

Pantera officially disbanded in 2003 due to internal tensions. With the death of Dimebag Darrell – he was  was shot by a mentally confused Pantera fan at a concert of his new band “Damageplan” on December 8th, 2004 – a reunion seemed impossible.

vg/AN (with dpa)