Pantera at Pine Knob Music Theater
Pantera made their long-awaited return to Detroit on July 19, and Pine Knob Music Theatre was ready for it. From the moment you stepped into the venue, the energy was undeniable fans in vintage shirts, denim vests, and plenty of Dimebag patches filled the hill and pit. This wasn’t just another show on a reunion tour. It felt like something bigger. A celebration. A tribute. And more than anything, a full-on assault of classic metal.
The night started with SNAFU, a local band from Detroit that wasted no time getting the early crowd fired up. Their brand of raw, old-school thrash hit hard and fast, and you could feel the hometown pride in how the crowd responded. Next up was Amon Amarth, who brought their signature Viking flair and blistering riffs to the stage. Between the growls, the fire, and the massive inflatable longships, they made Pine Knob feel like a Nordic battlefield. It was the kind of opener that could’ve stolen the show on a different night but this was Pantera’s house.
And when they finally came out, they didn’t ease into anything. They opened with “Hellbound” and hit the ground running. The setlist was a nonstop barrage “Mouth for War,” “5 Minutes Alone,” “I’m Broken,” “Walk.” Zakk Wylde’s guitar work was thunderous, raw, and full of heart he wasn’t imitating Dime, he was honoring him. Charlie Benante brought serious fire on drums, holding it all together while letting loose when it mattered most. Phil Anselmo was sharp, intense, and clearly emotional his voice carried the weight of the music and the loss behind it.
This wasn’t just a reunion show. It was loud, it was real, and it meant something. For longtime fans, it brought back everything they loved about Pantera. For new ones, it was a lesson in how heavy metal is supposed to feel. And for Detroit, it was a night that proved Pantera’s legacy is still alive, still powerful, and still loud as hell.