Nickelback Frontman Opens Up on What He Really Thinks of Pantera Reunion, Reacts to Haters

Believe it or not, Nickelback has some similarities with Pantera. Not only have they been friends with Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, but the current Pantera reunion haters are kind of like Nickelback haters. Well, that’s at least what frontman Chad Kroeger says.

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During his visit to The LA Lloyd Podcast, Kroeger discussed the much-discussed Pantera reunion that features Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, alongside the band’s classic members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown. Although there were some weirded-out reactions to this announced tour, he’s pretty okay with it. Chad explains (via Ultimate Guitar):

“Well, selfishly, I wanna see those songs performed live. When you listen to a Pantera record and you think to yourself – well, as we thought… since the band broke up – it’s, like, ‘Oh, I’m never gonna get to see these songs live again.’ And it’s heartbreaking. So the fact that the boys are getting called in from here and there… Love Zakk; love Charlie – great, great guys. I think the fact that they’re gonna get on stage and do this… All Phil has to do is just get up there and crush it.”

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He also adds:

“I would go see that. I would buy a ticket to go see that show. I want to see it. I want to scream those songs. And I think that calling it more of a tribute is probably closer to what it’s gonna be – which is great; that’s great. People that love that music that want to recreate it live every single night…

“And like I said, as long as Phil brings it, it’s gonna be great. Just to be able to sit back and watch those guys to do it up… And I think all the Pantera fans are gonna love it.”

Further discussing the issue, he drew a parallel between Nickelback and this Pantera reunion, namely the naysayers who would, somehow, end up on the show anyway. He said:

“Anybody who’s sitting back hating on the idea, I think when it comes to town, they’re gonna do the same thing that happens with those people that say they don’t like Nickelback. They always find themselves at the show. Strangely enough — shocker! It’s, like, ‘Ah, I hate those guys. They suck.’ ‘Are you going?’ ‘Of course.’ [Laughs]”

Photo: Frost Harver (Chad Kroeger 2 (cropped)), Tilly Antoine (Phil Anselmo Hellfest 2022)

  • David Slavkovic

    David always planned for music to be nothing more than a hobby. However, after a short career as an agricultural engineer he ended up news editor at KillerGuitarRigs, senior editor at Ultimate-Guitar.com, as well as a freelance contributor to online magazines such as GuitaristNextdoor and brands like Sam Ash.