Pantera at SPAC: A Thunderous Tribute and a Triumphant Return

Words and Photography by Lori Anne McKone.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – September 9, 2025 – On a crisp September night at the Broadview Stage at SPAC, Pantera delivered a performance that was equal parts sonic assault and emotional reckoning. As part of The Heaviest Tour of the Summer, the legendary metal band returned to upstate New York with a set that honored its roots, mourned its losses, and proved its enduring power.

From the moment the curtain dropped and the opening riff of “A New Level” tore through the amphitheater, it was clear this wasn’t just a concert—it was a resurrection. Vocalist Philip H. Anselmo stalked the stage with raw intensity, his voice a guttural force that carried decades of rage and resilience. Rex Brown, steady and stoic on bass, anchored the groove with surgical precision.

But it was the presence of Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante on drums that gave the night its emotional weight. Filling the shoes of the late Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul, Wylde and Benante didn’t attempt imitation—they brought reverence and fire. Wylde’s solos were blistering tributes, each note bending with grief and fury. Benante’s drumming was thunderous, driving the band forward with relentless energy.

The setlist was a masterclass in Pantera’s legacy: “Mouth for War,” “This Love,” “I’m Broken,” and “Cowboys from Hell” ignited the crowd, while “Cemetery Gates” offered a moment of reflection, its haunting melody echoing through the trees beyond the lawn. Between songs, Anselmo spoke candidly about the band’s journey, the loss of Ozzy Osbourne earlier this year, and the brotherhood that still binds Pantera’s spirit.

The crowd—an ocean of black shirts, raised fists, and devil horns—responded with fervor. Mosh pits churned, chants erupted, and for ninety minutes, SPAC became a temple of metal. The amphitheater’s acoustics gave the band’s groove-heavy sound a punishing clarity, and the visuals—flames, strobes, and stark monochrome backdrops—added cinematic weight to the performance.

Pantera didn’t just play a show. They reclaimed their place. They mourned, they roared, and they reminded everyone why their name still commands reverence.

As the final notes of “Walk” rang out and the band stood silhouetted against a wall of light, one thing was clear: Pantera is no longer just a memory. They are a living, breathing force—and they’re not done yet.

More coverage of the show here …