If you were anywhere near middle Tennessee on Friday February 9, 2024, it’s likely you could hear a rumbling in the distance that you just weren’t sure about the origins of. That my friends, was the sound of Pantera, Lamb of God and Nest rolling into Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with a fiery metal show for the ages. Metal fans from across the area descended on Downtown Nashville to attend the event that is likely now a core memory for those in attendance, including me.
The night kicked off with newcomers Nest. Belonging to Phil‘s record label, House Core Records, this band was ready to kick off the night in a way that is befitting a tour of this magnitude. Bringing their blistering sound and style to Music City, they proved why they were invited to this tour and they can hang with heavy metal heavy weights. The sound these guys put out was larger than what would be expected out of a three piece and was right at home on an arena stage. Playing songs of theirs such as Can’t Pretend, Nice Slot and Gamut of Emotions, Nest showed that they are going to be a name to watch in the metal scene.
After Nest left the stage, it was time to get ready for Lamb of God to take their place. a giant black curtain was raised to block the view from the stage while they were readying the stage design. You could feel the electricity in the air as the fans waited for the band to take the stage while the familiar low roar began to fill the arena. Finally it was time! As the band came onto the stage with their song Memento Mori the crowd erupted both from the stands and the pit. It was a sight to behold. There was no shortage of energy from the stage either as you found Randy Blythe bounding around the stage without missing a beat in his guttural vocals. There was even a point he jumped flawlessly from the drum riser back onto the stage. Playing through a blistering 13 song set that was matched by the accompanying light show, the circle pit in the back of the general admission floor never stopped swirling and the energy in the building was kept at a fever pitch. It was everything you would expect and more from Lamb of God.
It was the point in the night that everyone was waiting for. It was time for the long awaited return of Pantera to Music City signaled by the large curtain bearing the band’s logo hanging in front of the stage. The air in the room was electric as everyone waited with bated breath for the metal heavy-weights to make their way to the stage with the ever growing roar of an anxious crowd building through the room. The set began with a montage of departed members Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell playing on the two LED screens on the sides of the stage. The crowd watched the memories, many of which appeared to be home videos, play out on the screens as music played over the speakers. A fitting tribute, but not the only of the night, to two of the founding members of the band who left this earth too soon. As you heard the opening notes of A New Level ring out the curtain fell rapidly revealing the band on stage and ready to go. This iconic band hasn’t lost a step in all these years and prove why they are still such a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene. With the addition of Zakk Wylde ripping through Dime‘s original guitar riffs and Charlie Benante manning the drums with surviving members Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown on vocals and bass respectively, they have managed to capture that magic and sound that the band was famous for. Paired with an impressive light show and pyro, the show was absolutely something to behold. With a giant metal sign of the bands logo that regularly was illuminated with fire hanging over the stage and accompanying columns of flame, Pantera came out to take no prisoners and proved it over and over again with each thundering song they played. Another poignant point of the night is while playing Floods, you saw another montage being played on the giant screens to the side of the stage. Playing favorites such as Walk, I’m Broken, and of course Cowboys from Hell they made sure there was something for every Pantera fan in the building. Playing F*cking Hostile was the cherry on top of a TRULY epic night of musicianship and metal complete with the crowd singing back to the band and a never ending circle pit.
Truth be told, as a native Texan and fellow metal fan, I have been a fan of Pantera since I was about 15 years old and I am very much well past that mark now. Leaving the venue after the show, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of just how special this night was and I know I was not the only one who felt this way. It was a special night that I will remember forever, and honestly, I was just glad to have been a part of it.
