PHILIP ANSELMO Explains 'Mouth For War: Pantera And Beyond' Autobiography Delay

Former PANTERA and current DOWN frontman Philip Anselmo has been forced to push back the release date of his long-awaited autobiography because he hasn't had time to work on the book while taking part in touring activities with DOWN and his solo band, PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS.

It was announced back in May that Simon & Schuster's Gallery Books imprint had set a January 13, 2015 release date for "Mouth For War: Pantera And Beyond". BloodyDisgusting.com writer Corey Mitchell is co-authoring the book, which is described as "a no-holds-barred look inside of Philip's brain, his history with PANTERA, the loss of his best friend, Dimebag Darrell, and an unflinching examination into the downward spiral of pain and drug addiction that nearly cost him his life."

But in a brand new interview with Jack Antonio, Anselmo says that it will take a bit longer before "Mouth For War" actually sees the light of day. He says: "[The autobiography] is something that I've gotta delay, for sure, because I've been working my ever-loving balls off this entire year. And for me, really, to really get down and write a comprehensive, fun book to read, that's heads-down project that I cannot have any other distractions. Because living out on the road is one thing, and, really, I have a set regimen when I'm on the road, and I really can't deviate from that process. So I haven't had much time to think about the book all that much aside from keeping in touch with Corey Mitchell. I know he's been busy as hell with [organizing] the [Housecore Horror Film And Music Festival] himself. So there is a little bit of a delay on the book, and honestly, the more I learn about it and its release date, the more you cats will learn about it. But as of right now, it's just 'hit the brakes' and take a little bit of a delay on that one."

Speaking to Artisan News at last year's Revolver Golden Gods awards in Los Angeles, Anselmo stated about his upcoming autobiography: "First and foremost, it's not just a PANTERA book. Now, PANTERA is a gigantic part of my life — let's not ever, ever mix these signals — but it's more a book about myself and how it took to get from all of the peaks, valleys and the in-betweens; that really, really sums things up. There is my persective, of course, but I think the hardest person I'm gonna be on is myself. Because we all get the cards that we're dealt, and it's up to us to deal with that how we deal with it."

In an interview with MetalSucks, Anselmo was asked for his opinion of "Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera", the recently published memoir from his former PANTERA and DOWN bandmate, bassist Rex Brown.

"Honestly, [Rex's] assessment of me [in the book] — I don't care," Anselmo said. "Egotistical, self-centered, everything is always about me. Y'know what? I'm a lead singer and he's a bass player. That's his perception. So I'm fine with it. I don't hold any fucking grudges. But I think he did take some angry swipes and I don't need to be specific. There is a great deal of mythology when it comes to his 'quitting' DOWN. That particular chapter is a little disturbing."

Anselmo also commented on the fact that former PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott was at times painted in a very negative light in Rex's book.

"I'm not sure that type of beating [on Vince] was necessary," Anselmo said. "Vince is a difficult guy and was always a different type of guy. But did he deserve that type of beating? I don't think so. When I do my book, I want it to be known that it's not just a PANTERA book. And I'm not in a pissing contest with Rex. It's a shame."

He continued: "Rex has many faults, just like anyone else. But it sure seems like he wants to put fault on other people to take away from his humanity. We're all full of faults. Maybe it's easier for some of us to admit."

Official "Mouth For War: Pantera And Beyond " description:

"In this brutally honest, no-holds-barred memoir, Philip Anselmo, former frontman of the legendary metal band PANTERA, finally tells his side of the story — on everything from the band's meteoric rise to the murder of guitarist Darrell Abbott onstage.

"From bar band obscurity to the bright spotlight of the world's stage, Anselmo helped lead Pantera to world domination. He soared to the top with the first extreme metal album to debut at #1 on the Billboard music charts with 'Far Beyond Driven' in 1994. He turned a bar-bumping glam metal band into the heaviest, most extreme, and most successful heavy metal unit since METALLICA. But the ride to the top wasn't easy.

"Soon after 'Far Beyond Driven' topped the charts, Anselmo hit rock bottom at the band's celebrated return gig in Dallas, Texas, where he was declared clinically dead for more than four minutes after he overdosed on heroin. He later watched PANTERA disintegrate due to backbiting, alcohol and drug abuse, and chronic pain. And in addition to nearly killing himself, Anselmo has been blamed for killing the band and wrongfully accused as the reason his best friend and guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott was murdered onstage by a deranged fan.

"Anselmo's rise to the top of the heavy metal heap as the ultimate frontman is the stuff of modern-day legend. Finally, he tells all in this fascinating narrative of his hard-won music career with incredible highs and devastating lows. 'Mouth For War' is the hard, honest, brutal truth."