May 29th, 2025 - In the special 50th edition of Rock Candy Magazine Philip Anselmo of the returning Pantera tells editor Howard Johnson what it means to him to have the band back on the road and playing sold-out shows.
"I feel crazily lucky, crazily fortunate. I have a hard time putting it into words, but I'll try. Oh man, it feels like a blessing."
Now 56, Anselmo joined Pantera when he was 18 years old and has been suffering from chronic back pain since his early 20s, but surgery and rehabilitation have got him to the point he can deliver the goods on stage night after night on the band's current tour, which will include the farewell Black Sabbath gig on July 5th in the UK.
"It's Pantera man, so it's still going to war. I'll be honest, that's some young man sht to sing, so you've got to throw everything into it. It's a beating, very physical. But when I see the crowd reaction, I love it. I don't care. That's the payoff right there. And yet funnily enough it's also cathartic. When I get into the zone, it blocks out all the noise and the bullsht and it's mellow."
You can read the exclusive interview with Philip Anselmo, and drummer Charlie Benante in issue 50 of Rock Candy Magazine, together with in-depth stories and interviews with Styx legend Dennis DeYoung, Rich Williams of Kansas, Chris Goss of Masters Of Reality, Josh Todd of Buckcherry and much more. For more details visit: http://www.rockcandymag.com