Zakk Wylde recently appeared as a guest on Avenged Sevenfold bassist Johnny Christ’s Internet TV show ‘Drinks With Johnny’ and revealed that he chats with Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul at every Pantera gig.
The musician is in the new Pantera lineup with Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown, and Charlie Benante. Wylde shared what he feels at every one of their shows:
“I always say it every night, when we were playing the Garden, it’s just like if Dime and Vinnie were right there on the side of the stage, I’d go, ‘Look at what you guys created.’ So it’s really special. I think it’s just a beautiful thing every night paying honor and tribute to Dime and Vinnie every night, Phil and Rex and Dime and Vinnie, this thing that they created that brings so many people joy. So, I just think it’s a beautiful thing every night.”
Wylde’s Feelings About Stepping In For Dimebag
In an earlier chat with Guitar World, the guitarist spoke about replacing Dimebag in Pantera:
“At the end of the day, I’m far beyond honored that I got asked to help to celebrate the incredible greatness of Saint Dime and Saint Vinnie. I guess you could say I’m on a mission from God, just like Jake and Elwood! [Laughs]”
It Was Not Easy To Replace Dimebag
Wylde had some challenges in performing Darrell’s parts in the band. He previously shared:
“No matter what I do, it’s going to sound like me. I can practice all I want and stay as faithful as I want, but I will never escape that. It’s like if Randy Rhoads were to play Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Eruption.’ No matter what he did, it would sound like Randy playing, not Eddie. You’re never going to mistake Randy for Eddie or Eddie for Randy, and it’s the same with me playing Dime’s stuff here.”
As Zakk said earlier this month, although they have tour plans, Pantera doesn’t consider releasing new music. Pantera is the main act at many big festivals in North America, South America, and Europe. They also have their own headline shows. Plus, they’re joining Metallica for a stadium tour in 2024.
You can watch his entire chat below.