Zakk Wylde on New PANTERA Music Again: Respecting the Legacy Is Essential

The question of possible new music from the revived PANTERA has been returning regularly ever since the band announced its return to the stage. Guitarist Zakk Wylde has now addressed the topic again in several interviews, and his position remains very consistent: new material, yes—but only under strictly defined conditions and with maximum respect for the legacy of the original lineup.

The current version of PANTERA consists of Philip Anselmo (vocals), Rex Brown (bass), Zakk Wylde (guitar), and Charlie Benante (drums). Although the band is successfully touring the world and receiving positive reactions from both fans and critics, Wylde repeatedly emphasizes that PANTERA was always defined by the quartet Anselmo–Brown–Abbott–Abbott.

According to Wylde, the only meaningful scenario for releasing "new" music would be to complete authentic recordings or demo material created by the late guitarist Dimebag Darrell. He compares it to professionally finishing unreleased Jimi Hendrix songs—not as a new creative direction, but as preserving and completing a historical legacy. In such a case, Anselmo and Brown would have the final say, while Wylde and Benante would take on more of a supporting role.

By contrast, Wylde has long rejected the idea of entirely new material under the PANTERA name. If the current lineup wanted to create new music without a direct connection to Dimebag's archival ideas, he believes it would have to be released under a different name. "Pantera are those four guys," Wylde repeats, making it clear that for him the PANTERA brand is not just a name, but a closed chapter.

A similar view is shared by the band's longtime producer Sterling Winfield, who has stated that although the current lineup would be capable of making very strong music, he would not consider it right to release it as PANTERA. In his view, any further step must be taken "the right way and with sensitivity."

For now, PANTERA's return remains primarily a celebration of their musical legacy. The band is performing at the world's biggest festivals, undertaking extensive tours, and introducing their classic repertoire to a new generation of fans. As Anselmo himself has said in the past, today it's no longer about aggression and chaos, but about the opportunity to focus on the songs themselves and their power.

Whether fans will ever hear completed archival tracks from Dimebag Darrell's workshop remains an open question. What is certain, however, is that everyone involved is very aware of how thin the line is between paying tribute and undermining the legacy of one of the most influential metal bands in history.