S Poddar
Pantera surprised audiences at their last performance in Paris with a welcome guest appearance, as Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson joined the group on stage to perform their all-time classic hit “Walk.” The performance has been recorded on fan-shot footage that went viral online.
On the 15th of February, Pantera dominated the Adidas Arena in Paris, performing an energetic set full of their most favorite songs. As they came towards the close of their set, lead vocalist Phil Anselmo informally greeted the crowd, saying that Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden’s legendary frontman, was among the fans.
When the band moved on to “Walk,” one of their staples, the mood changed. Halfway around the track, Dickinson appeared on the side of the stage, microphone in hand. He merged with Anselmo to sing the song’s memorable chorus. Anselmo, visibly starstruck by the moment, paused to bow down to Dickinson, giving a nod of respect to the legendary vocalist. It was a powerful, unifying moment for the crowd, who went wild for the surprise collaboration.
The Paris show is just the beginning of Pantera’s highly anticipated return to the UK and Ireland for their first headlining tour in the region in two decades. The tour begins on February 18 in Glasgow, and the band will subsequently play the cities of Leeds, Dublin, and London, entertaining fans with their legendary metal music. Tickets to the tour are on sale, and fans can’t wait for Pantera to hit the road once again after being away for so long.
Below is a list of Pantera’s UK and Ireland tour dates for 2025:
February
- 18 – Glasgow @ OVO Hydro
- 19 – Leeds @ First Direct Arena
- 21 – Dublin @ 3Arena
- 23 – Birmingham @ BP Pulse Live
- 25 – London @ OVO Arena Wembley
Pantera will later in the year also join Black Sabbath on their last reunion concert in July, playing alongside other metal legends such as Metallica, Slayer, Gojira, and Mastodon. The concert is already sold out, making it one of the biggest and most hyped concerts of the year among fans of metal.
But Pantera’s reunification has not come without controversy. Phil Anselmo has been at the center of numerous racial accusations in recent years, most recently after an incident in 2016 when he was caught on camera giving a Nazi salute and screaming “white power.” This was met with outrage, and Anselmo even offered to resign from his band Down as a consequence of the incident. Regardless of the controversy, Pantera’s reunion has been met with mixed reaction, and the band’s performance at two big German festivals in 2023 was cancelled following the outrage over the claims. Pantera had been booked to play at Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park, but the two festivals took both bands off their lineups following the controversy.
In spite of these problems, the band is still a favorite among metalheads, with the fans standing by their music and awaiting the next phase of their tour. Pantera’s comeback remains a historical event for metal fans globally, as the band embarks on a new era in their legendary career.
As Pantera embarks on tour in the UK, fans can be certain to be reminded of the band’s relentless energy and impact on the genre. And with surprise appearances such as Bruce Dickinson’s sudden cameo, it’s evident that this tour will be one not to forget for metal fans everywhere.
The band’s comeback, replete with electrifying performances and edge-of-your-seat surprises, will be a 2025 highlight.
