Pantera: First Direct Area, Leeds

Pantera | Energy Journey | King Parrot
First Direct Area, 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 steel and headbanging highlights why they continue to be one in all music’s most influential steel acts.

As quickly as you’re anyplace close to the venue, there are big crowds clad in battle jackets with huge beards making their approach to Leeds First Direct Area. It could appear to be a stereotype however each different individual seems the identical as they head into the venue for an evening of moshing and headbanging to one of the crucial iconic steel bands round: Pantera. 

With two help bands – King Parrot (who’re on Phil Anselmo’s report label) and Energy Journey – even earlier than the principle occasion, there’s a big crowd prepared and anticipating 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 splash of humour to the beginning of their present. They burst into their set like a ball of vitality, relentless and unforgiving as they set the tempo for what’s to return all through the night time. The gang sadly doesn’t reciprocate the vitality as they stand politely nodding their heads, with just some banging their heads alongside furiously. It’s a disgrace, however then you definately bear in mind that almost all of the folks right here will likely be effectively into their 50s and saving themselves for Pantera. Their music isn’t fairly suited to huge and cavernous arenas, however we all know full effectively it might be unbelievable to witness down the highway on the Key Membership. The band taunt the viewers, telling us that the gang in Glasgow was miles higher, which flicks a change within the crowd who supply up a small but enjoyable wanting circle pit. They profit from their quick slot, however they undoubtedly depart a mark on the night time as they depart the stage, deserving a 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 unlimited mosh pit opens up and the gang transfer in unison as all of them band their heads collectively, making a wave of steel head hair. Energy Journey’s sound goes by way of a number of types, from straight-up hardcore to groove steel, providing a pleasant little bit of selection in sound which compliments the vocalist completely. Their command of the gang is exemplary because the swathes of sweaty our bodies do every part the band instructions of them: it’s a fantastic instance of showmanship. Energy Journey themselves are like a freight prepare – 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 decide again up the place they left off and the chaos presumes. Energy Journey by no means misses a beat and it looks like they’re going give Pantera a run for his or her cash. After a tribute to former frontman Riley Gale, they offer their all one ultimate time, leaving all they’ve on the stage. As they go, an unlimited curtain bearing the brand of Pantera drops, eliciting an enormous roar from the gang.

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. Nearly 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 Battle and Power Past Power, the sensation is that this will likely be fairly the present. Every music is met with utter adulation from the gang as they get louder and louder. Controversial frontman Phil Anselmo stalks the stage barefoot as if he’s at dwelling commanding the viewers, who’re consuming out of the palm of his hand. His voice sounds simply nearly 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 comparable 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 entire lives. They by no means miss a beat, creating an intense ambiance that some bands can solely dream of constructing. The barrage of hits is continuous, as every one 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 dad and mom of the ’90s for turning their children to them, so there’s a little bit of vitality 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 actually is sort of a present in itself, watching him play.

After powering by way of hits like Suicide Word Pt. II and 5 Minutes Alone that carry a slower tempo to the present, This Love elicits an enormous response from the gang and sees the band sluggish issues down a contact earlier than launching again into the fray, as each the viewers and bands vitality stays unmatched. Flood has a poignant second by which 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 count on, ramping the vitality again up after some sluggish 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 night time 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 principle set ends on Cowboys From Hell. After a break, the band return to the stage for one ultimate onslaught of steel 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 figuring out a couple of sure occasion involving Phil Anselmo prior to now. Musically, nonetheless, it’s arms down the most effective present I’ve ever seen from a steel band. I’ve been fortunate sufficient through the years to see exhibits from the likes of Metallica, Software and Slipknot to call a number of – Pantera nonetheless 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 could find his creator’s archive for Louder Than Battle right here.

Pictures by Andy Pountney. Extra of Andy’s images might be seen on Instagram