Frank Bello: Pantera Reunion is “great for metal”

Frank Bello, bassist of Anthrax believes that the approaching Pantera shows, following the group’s reunion, will be “great for metal.”

The lineup for the shows will include Black Lable Society frontman and previous Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde on guitar, as well as Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and surviving Pantera members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown.

Though many are over the moon excited to see those familiar faces on stage playing some of the hardest songs of the century, others are upset with the lineup. Seeing Benante on drums, replacing the late Abbott brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, change strikes a nerve with OG fans who claim there is no Pantera without the brothers.

Despite the backlash, Benante’s Anthrax bandmate Bello swears fans who never got to originally see Pantera on stage are in for a treat.

He tells WRIF’s Riff TV, “I think it’s a great thing. Can you imagine the people that haven’t seen this are gonna see these songs live? I think it’s great for metal. I think it’s great to pay tribute to Dime and Vinnie. I’m looking forward to it. I think when people see it, they’re gonna bug out because they’re gonna do it right.

“It’s, like, ‘Yeah, man, wait ’til you see this.’ This music should be celebrated. We’re part of this metal thing, this metal family.”

Bello is especially thrilled for Benante, as everyone else will get to see the talent that he has been stressing. He adds, “Having Charlie Benante play those songs, I think it’s gonna be great for Charlie. People know Charlie is a great drummer, but the world doesn’t know how great he is.

“I want people to put the spotlight on Charlie because I want them to see what I see all the time, how great of a drummer he is. And I’m excited because I think Charlie’s gonna do it the right way. So is Zakk. So I think they have the right band there. Remember — I’m friends with these guys. Rex, Phil, these are family members to me.”