While the upcoming Pantera tour — or tribute event as many tend to call it — is on the way, Zakk Wylde sat down with Guitar World to discuss how he’ll pull the whole thing off. Aside from Charlie Benante filling in for Vinnie Paul on drums and Pantera’s classic members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, Zakk will be there to replace his old friend Dimebag Darrell. Asked about the most challenging things when it comes to performing Dime’s parts, Zakk said:
“No matter what I do, it’s going to sound like me. I can practice all I want and stay as faithful as I want, but I am never going to escape that.” It’s like if Randy Rhoads were to play Eddie Van Halen’s ‘Eruption.’ No matter what he did, it would sound like Randy playing, not Eddie. You’re never going to mistake Randy for Eddie or Eddie for Randy, and it’s the same thing here with me playing Dime’s stuff.”
He also adds:
“I am going to go in, learn the parts, be as faithful to what Dime did as possible, and just be me. I’m gonna have fun with it, knowing that I am not expecting myself to sound like Dime, and no one else should either, which is how it is when I play with Ozzy or whatever else.“
However, there is one thing that will help him get the sound as close as possible. Talking about the issue further, Zakk reminded us that he will use some of Dime’s old gear. He explains:
“I’ll be using my guitars, effects, and pedals, a lot of the pedals that Dime actually gave me, and yeah, I’ll definitely be using some of Dime’s pedals and stuff, too. I’m still working out how it’ll all come together, but I am looking forward to seeing how it all flows once I do.”
“Dime’s tech, Grady [Champion], is gonna be coming down too, which is great. I’ve got my tech, but it’ll be great to have Grady here to help pay tribute to Dime.”
Recently, in an interview with Ultimate Guitar, Zakk Wylde discussed whether this is an actual band’s reunion or not, saying “Of course it’s not Pantera,” followed by a laugh. “It’s Phill, Rex, and two of their buddies getting together to honor Dime, Vinnie, and all their achievements,” he added. This, to some extent, clears things up for many fans as, in terms of the official moniker is concerned, the whole thing seemed pretty vague from the very start.
Photos: Rik Goldman (Dimebag Darrell with Pantera), MorganaPhotolive (Black Label Society (26643606944))
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