An absolutely awesome night spent with legends Pantera touring for the first time without the Abbott brothers – Dime-Bag Darrell and Vinnie Paul – who were integral to their earlier successes but we should have trusted them to deliver.
KING PARROT
Aussie Grindcore merchants opened proceedings with a short but sweet set that got everyone nicely warmed up. Right from the start Matthew Young lead from the front with is growls ably assisted by the rotund Slatts Everyday – bass – who was already stripped to the waist. They blasted through Epileptic Butcher, Disgrace Yourself and Dead End with Andrew “Squiz” Livingstone-Squires and Ari “Mr. White” White – guitars – perfectly in tandem. Finishing with Shit on the Liver and Fuck You and the Horse You Rode In On this was a good start to the night
SET LIST
Get What Ya Given
Epileptic Butcher
Disgrace Yourself
Dead End
Bozo
Target Pig Elite
Home Is Where The Gutter Is
Ten Pounds of Shit in a Five Pound Bag
Hell Comes Your Way
Shit on the Liver
Fuck You and the Horse You Rode In On
POWER TRIP
Dallas Texan band Power Trip formed in 2008 are known for their thrash metal and hardcore punk crossover. The band themselves have faced a tragic loss of their original frontman, Riley Gale in 2020. Power Trip, whilst deciding whether to carry on with the band. They produced a high energy, savage set kicked off with Soul Sacrifice before Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe) and Firing Squad Their current line up of Seth Gilmore (vocals), Blake Ibanez (lead guitar), Nick Stewart (rhythm guitar), Chris Whetzel (bass) and Chris Ulsh (drums) were really keeping the true soul of Gale’s band alive.
Gilmores vocals was in fine form and did his best at whipping the crowd into a frenzy. It is great to see them return but I personally feel they are better suited to a smaller intimate venue that would let their music truly deliver rather than a cavernous arena.
SET LIST
Soul Sacrifice
Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe)
Firing Squad
Hornet’s Nest
Nightmare Logic
Drown / Crucifixation
Waiting Around to Die
Manifest Decimation
NO PHOTOGRAPHERS WER ALLOWED TO PHOTOGRAPH POWER TRIP
PANTERA
Finally, the time came for headliners Pantera, their first tour in over 20 years. A black curtain with PANTERA written in huge red letters was infront of the stage, you could feel the atmosphere change in the arena as the excitement built. This coupled with a video played prior to their entrance onto stage featuring footage of the sadly departed Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell from the bands early days, was a nice tribute. Then the 
curtain dropped, and the legends kicked off a night of pure unadultered groove metal and unbridled joy. Starting with A New Level before a blockbusting Mouth For War. A pure metal onslaught was in full flow, with Phil Anselmo‘s voice sounding as powerful as ever as he commanded the huge stage.
It was then classic track after classic track Strength Beyond Strength then Becoming, followed by I’m Broken then Suicide Note Pt. II. The BP Pulse live arena was packed to the rafters and seemed to know all the words and every riff. The noise after each song was immense. Rex Brown on bass, the only other original member alongside Anselmo looked at ease and thoroughly enjoying himself. Whereas Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label society) on guitar never stopped moved and thrashing around his golden mane of hair. We were then treated to 5 Minutes Alone then This Love and Floods before an epic version of Walk with the crowd singing and shouting along – “Res!-Pect!…Walk” – if you were there you know what I mean. Charlie Benante (Anthrax and SOD)– drums – was epic and never missed a beat, the set ended with Domination / Hollow followed by Cowboys From Hell before the guys left the stage. Only to return a few moments later to finish of with Fucking Hostile finishing with, for the first time on this tour Revolution Is My Name. Was amazing to see a band as legendary as Pantera still sounding as good and as heavy as they always have done is an experience I will never forget. Ladies and Gentlemen that’s how its done and an early contender for gig of the year!
SETLIST
A New Level
Mouth for War
Strength Beyond Strength
Becoming
I’m Broken
Suicide Note Pt. II
5 Minutes Alone
This Love
Floods
Walk
Domination / Hollow
Cowboys From Hell
Encore:
Fucking Hostile
Revolution Is My Name
Following a blistering European tour, Pantera are joined bt Amon Amarth for a US tour, dates and poster below…
