Photos by Andy Argyrakis

It’s been over 20 years since “Cowboys From Hell” Pantera toured, and though guitarist Dimebag Darrell was slain and drummer Vinnie Paul also died in subsequent decades, co-founding bassist Rex Brown and longtime lead singer Phil Anselmo finally reunited with Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) and Charlie Benante (Anthrax) filling the vacant slots at the American Family Insurance Amphitheatre.

The immensely anticipated Milwaukee show was an area exclusive, at least until supporting Metallica at Soldier Field on August 9, 2024, but this headlining occasion gave fans of all ages the chance to catch the groundbreaking groove and thrash-centered heavy metal group in all its glory.

For 90 unrelenting minutes, the foursome tore through one of the most intense catalogues around, and without any new music, or at least not yet, that meant nothing but prime material culled from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s.

After plowing through “A New Level” and “Mouth For War,” Anselmo made sure to let everyone know the show was dedicated to the Abbott brothers, who were frequently incorporated into flashback footage on the screen and still seemed to be in every single note.

However, the current line-up’s chemistry was also consistently apparent throughout “Strength Beyond Strength,” “Becoming,” “I’m Broken,” “5 Minutes Alone” and beyond, plus a stripped down cover of Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan.”

Pantera cranked back up for “Walk,” “Domination/Hollow,” and of course, “Cowboys From Hell” as a massive mosh pit broke out, leading to an encore that kept the figurative and literal flames flying, while suggesting faithful are absolutely ready to embrace this unexpected opportunity for the legacy to live on.

The electrifying evening included fellow metalcore men Lamb Of God, who often land at the top of a bill, but even in the middle following the intense introduction of Snafu, brought along explosions and signature symbolism of its own.

Yet no amount of visual grandeur could fully articulate the sheer showmanship and velocity at which the veterans performed, especially as they helped carry the thrashing torch originally put in place by Pantera to the next generation of head bangers.

For additional information on Pantera and Lamb Of God, visit Pantera.com and Lamb-Of-God.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater include Nickelback (Aug. 5); Ghost (Aug. 12); Godsmack and Staind (Aug. 13); Jelly Roll (Aug. 18); Los Bukis (Aug. 24); The Lumineers (Aug. 26); The Offspring (Aug. 29) and Pentatonix (Aug. 31). For additional details, visit AmFamAmp.com.

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