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Steel Panther’s Satchel says fans have to accept that Pantera will ‘never be the same’ as with original lineup

The guitarist also expresses his appreciation for the two new members.

Steel Panther guitarist Satchel on Zakk Wylde

Satchel image: Rune Hellestad-Corbis/Getty
Wylde image: Guillermo Legaria Schweizer/Getty

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Steel Panther guitarist Satchel has weighed in his thoughts on the new reformation of Pantera, stating that fans need to accept that the band will never sound the same as with the original lineup.

The guitarist was speaking as part of a new interview with WRIF radio station when he shared his thoughts on the band’s new lineup, which features Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante in place of Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul.

“I saw Pantera when they had the original lineup, and it was so ridiculously good that… I’ll be honest with you, it’s gonna be hard to [replicate that,]” he said.

“It’s never gonna be the same – like it was. But I do love Zakk. I’m a huge Zakk Wylde fan, and I’m also a fan of Charlie as well.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the guitarist elaborated on his views further.

Here, he explained that he thinks fans will appreciate the new lineup best if they approached the idea with a less competitive mindset, and accepted that the band will inevitably sound different to how they did in the 1990s.

“[With Wylde and Benante,] they’re both great players, and I’m sure it’s awesome,” he explained. “What I’ve heard sounded great. It’s just… you have to go into that knowing it’s gonna be a little different.”

So far, the reformed band is proving to be a hit with metal fans globally, with many of the previous tour dates being sold out.

That being said, over the past month, the band were forced to cancel numerous festival appearances following alleged racist behaviour.

The revamped lineup is still set to support Metallica on their upcoming tour, however. Tickets are available on the band’s website.

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