PANTERA's REX BROWN: METALLICA's 'M72' Tour Is 'An Honor To Be On'

During an appearance on the latest episode of The Bass Nerds podcast, Rex Brown spoke about PANTERA's lengthy run as the support act for METALLICA on the "M72" tour. The bassist said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The 'M72' tour is just an honor to be on for a whole three and a half years now. And those guys are just the tops."

Referencing METALLICA's massive ring-shaped stage — with the so-called "Snake Pit" in the center — Brown continued: "The stage is a weird configuration, but once you just get up and start playing, it just comes naturally. You just have a lot of people to cover… It's like a doughnut in the middle of a stadium. So we were playing — I think the first run we were doing, we did MetLife in New York, and we did SoFi in L.A., and Soldier Field — so many places you just dream of playing. And they were all sold to the gills. METALLICA's huge, man."

Back in early 2023, shortly prior to the launch of the "M72" tour, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich weighed in on the fact that PANTERA's surviving members Philip Anselmo (vocals) and Brown have united with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) for a world tour under the PANTERA banner. Ulrich discussed his views on the PANTERA comeback in an interview with Revolver magazine. He said at the time: "I think that the idea that they're out celebrating the music and the magic of PANTERA is ... I know there's been a lot of talk in the community about whether people support that or not. But I'm the type of person, if Glenn Hughes wants to go out and play a DEEP PURPLE set, I'd support that.

"I'm always in favor of people following their musical and creative ambitions; so this PANTERA reunion, I think, is good," he added. "And obviously having Charlie up there is great. I saw a video from one of the Mexico shows that felt like they were in the pocket. It'll be fun to have them out."

Speaking about METALLICA's relationship with PANTERA, which dates back to before Anselmo had even joined the band, Ulrich said: "We met the brothers on the 'Ride The Lightning' tour and became friends with them. This was in Dallas in — what — 1622 or something? It was about 400 years ago. We obviously loved both of them, and they had a posse down there, and we would see them whenever we came through Texas. We watched the band evolve over the years from more rock vibes into that creative, unique force that they became. So, we've had a relationship with them for decades and decades."

After Dimebag was murdered in December 2004, Ulrich released a statement in which he said that he was "fortunate enough to meet both Darrell and his brother in Dallas on tour" in 1985. He went on to say: "The first thing me and my friend did as soon as that tour was over was to head straight back to Dallas and hang out with Darrell and Vinnie for a long time, 'cause they were the coolest mutherfuckers that we had met after criss-crossing the states for three months. That was the beginning of a friendship that was anchored in love, respect, fun, outrageousness, music, booze, sweat, late nights, early mornings, hangovers, headaches, pounding eardrums, sore bodies... the list goes on."

He added: "Darrell and his brother were the cornerstone of musical adventures that were always groundbreaking, pushing boundaries, challenging to themselves and to their fans, respected by their peers and always true musicians' musicians."

In a 2024 interview with StarTribune.com, METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett stated about the reformed PANTERA: "I think it's a great thing. It's a tribute to the brothers keeping their legacy alive. And it's a great thing for PANTERA fans. Even though it's not the original PANTERA, you still get to see Phil and Rex, and Zakk and Charlie are doing a damn good job."

During a May 2023 appearance on SiriusXM's "Metal Ambassador" podcast, METALLICA's James Hetfield stated about Dimebag: "Well, what a blessing to have been in his life and him in my life. And yeah, some of those early days, just traveling down there to the Dallas area and meeting with those guys and just hanging out. Yeah, Dimebag introduced me to the solid state amp, I remember. He had this fricking amazing crunch going on. I was, like, 'What is that?' You know? So, uh, yeah. [We] inspired each other. He inspired me as well. No doubt."