Pantera headlined New York City’s Madison Square Garden for the first time ever on Thursday night (February 22nd), and they made sure that fallen brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul were there in spirit. The metal legends delivered an emotionally charged show that was preceded by an electrifying set by Lamb of God.
The World’s Most Famous Arena, as it’s known, was packed for a night of headbanging metal. After an opening set by the band Child Bite, it was time for Lamb of God to take the stage. Frontman Randy Blythe, who celebrated his 53rd birthday a day earlier, hasn’t lost a step nearly 30 years into fronting the acclaimed metal band.
Kicking things off with “Memento Mori,” a standout track from their self-titled 2020 album, Lamb of God delivered such favorites as “Walk With Me in Hell,” “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For,” “Ruin,” and “Laid to Rest” during their 11-song set. The crushing tunes were accompanied by plenty of pyro and Blythe’s high-flying leaps.
Related Video
After Blythe was presented with a birthday cake onstage, the singer proceeded to dedicate the set closer, “Redneck,” to his late friends Dimebag and Vinnie Paul, noting that the latter was a big fan of that song in particular. Headliners in their own right, Lamb of God thoroughly pumped up the crowd for Pantera.
At 9:30 p.m., a video showing vignettes of Pantera in their ’90s heyday appeared on the two screens on either side of the stage as a recorded version of the band’s “Regular People (Conceit)” played over the speakers. Shortly thereafter, the first notes of “A New Level” triggered a dramatic kabuki drop that revealed classic members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown onstage alongside Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante.
Pantera’s setlist was all classics, as songs like “Mouth for War,” “Becoming,” “I’m Broken,” and “5 Minutes Alone” followed. Throughout the night, Anselmo expressed awe and reverence at the opportunity to headline Madison Square Garden, soaking in the adulation from the crowd. And while it’s no secret that the singer had his differences with Dimebag and Vinnie Paul, he had nothing but love for his late bandmates throughout the evening.
