Pantera Festival Appearances in Germany Canceled

Pantera has a number of festival appearances booked as part of the band's reunion/tribute tour. However, the band has been removed from two German festivals taking place this summer.

Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park have both announced the band will not be performing at either festival. In a joint statement shared by both of the festival's social media channels, they said, in part, "In the last few weeks, we have had many intensive conversations with artists, our partners and you, the festival fans, we have continued to deal with the criticism together and decided to remove the band from the program."

Pantera suddenly dropped from these two prominent German festivals has led to some outlets speculating it's the result of a 2016 incident involving singer Phil Anselmo. The incident occurred at Dimebash, a concert honoring late Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. Video surfaced from the event showing Anselmo giving a Nazi salute and yelling "White power".

Anselmo has since apologized and spoken about the incident multiple times. He issued a video statement saying, in part, "I am 1000% apologetic to anyone that took offense to what I said, because you should have taken offense. I am so sorry and I hope you just give me another chance."

In October 2016, he spoke to Decibel about the incident. Anselmo said, "First and foremost, I do take full accountability. I’m not deflecting at all. What I did was insulting, absolutely, and abhorrent, because it did truly upset people, and it hurts my heart that anyone would think that I’m the dreaded ‘R’ word—a racist ... Should I have done it? Hell f--king no. Would I take it back? Absolutely."

In November 2016, Anselmo touched on the incident in an interview with Clrvynt. He said, "First and foremost, I’ll take that one. I’ll own it. I did something extremely stupid that I know was absolutely stupid ... I want people to understand that I have nothing but love in my heart. The whole Dimebash thing was me being crude and lewd and showing an extension of a joke from backstage. I made myself out to be the ugly face of it all. I did that."

In addition to festival performances, the reunited Pantera is taking part in select dates with Metallica in 2023. The band recently announced their own tour with Lamb of God. The band's reunited/tribute lineup features Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown and Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante in place of the late guitarist and drummer "Dimebag" Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott. A full list of tour dates can be found at Pantera.com.

Vinnie Paul Abbott was a force in metal.  While he was one of metal’s most adored figures, he was also as big a fan of music as anyone who bought a ticket to see him play.

In honor of his remarkable life, click through the gallery below.

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 29: Drummer Vinnie Paul (R) of Hellyeah poses with a zombie character as he attends the Fear the Walking Dead Survival attraction grand opening at the Fremont Street Experience on August 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for AMC)

LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 29: Recording artist Vinnie Paul attends the Fear the Walking Dead Survival attraction grand opening at the Fremont Street Experience on August 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 06: Recording artist Vinnie Paul attends the 10th anniversary celebration of Carrot Top's residency at the Luxor Hotel and Casino on December 6, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Scott Gorda, recording artist Vinnie Paul, Chelsey Yeager, guitarist Christian Brady, Angel Bean and Brian "Bridog" Jones attend the 10th anniversary celebration of Carrot Top's residency at the Luxor Hotel and Casino on December 6, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Drummers Vinnie Paul, Vinny Appice and Mike Portnoy attend the 4th Annual Revolver Golden God Awards nominees announcement at the GRAMMY Museum on February 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Drummer Vinnie Paul attends the 4th Annual Revolver Golden God Awards nominees announcement at the GRAMMY Museum on February 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 20: Musician Vinnie Paul arrives at the 3rd Annual Revolver Golden God Awards at the Club Nokia on April 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 19: Vinnie Paul of Hellyeah performs during the Jagermeister Music Tour at The Electric Factory on February 19, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 19: Vinnie Paul of Hellyeah performs during the Jagermeister Music Tour at The Electric Factory on February 19, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)

HOLLYWOOD - MAY 17: (L-R) Vinnie Paul Abbott of Pantera, Rita Hane and Jerry Abbott unveil a plaque in honor of Pantera guitarist, the late Darrell ''Dimebag'' Abbott during the induction to the Hollywood Rock Walk at Guitar Center on May 17, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images for VH1)

HOLLYWOOD - MAY 17: (L-R) Vinnie Paul Abbott of Pantera, Rita Hane and Jerry Abbott unveil a plaque in honor of Pantera guitarist, the late Darrell ''Dimebag'' Abbott during the induction to the Hollywood Rock Walk at Guitar Center on May 17, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images for VH1)

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 02: Former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul (L) and Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley pose at the VH1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Flamingo Las Vegas November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 02: Former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul (L) and ZZ Top singer/bassist Dusty Hill pose at the VH1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Flamingo Las Vegas November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 02: Former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul poses at the VH1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Flamingo Las Vegas November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 02: Former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul participates in the VH1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Flamingo Las Vegas November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 14: Vinnie Paul Abbott (L) holds a cardboard cutout of his brother, slain rocker "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as he addresses fans at public memorial service at the Arlington Convention Center December 14, 2004 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Paul Buck/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 02: (L-R) Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, Godsmack singer/guitarist Sully Erna, former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul and Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, pose at the VH1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Flamingo Las Vegas November 2, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Musician Vinnie Paul arrives at the Hard Rock Cafe for Motley Crue?s live performance September 18, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 18: Musician Vinnie Paul holds his late guitarist brother Dimebag Darrell's guitar at the Hard Rock Cafe befor Motley Crue?s live performance September 18, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Donald Bowers/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 26: Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger (L), his brother, bassist Mike Kroeger (C), and former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul (R), talk before the second annual Vegas Rock Star Poker Tournament and Sweepstakes at the Palms Casino Resort August 26, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 26: Former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul (L) and guitarist Jerry Cantrell compete in the Second Annual Vegas Rock Star Poker Tournament and Sweepstakes at the Palms Casino Resort August 26, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 26: Guitarist Jerry Cantrell (L) and former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul talk at the Second Annual Vegas Rock Star Poker Tournament and Sweepstakes at the Palms Casino Resort August 26, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS - AUGUST 25: (L-R) Guitarist Jerry Cantrell, former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger pose at a birthday party for Kiss singer/bassist Gene Simmons at the Ghostbar at the Palms Casino Resort August 25, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)