Metal heroes Pantera delivered what passionate Pittsburgh area fans wanted at tour opener

BURGETTSTOWN ― More than 16,000 people turned out Friday to The Pavilion at Star Lake to witness a historic night of headbanging.

Pantera launched its first tour in 22 years and gave fans everything they had wanted.

Phil Anselmo, on lead vocals, engaged the audience with enthusiasm, gratitude and an excitement-stoking deep vocal growl.

Rex Brown plucked bass notes you felt in your chest, as new touring member Charlie Benante supplied jackhammer drumming.

Esteemed guitarist Zakk Wylde delivered emphatic force with some flashiness that never got excessive.

Though Anselmo made it clear that the band's fallen comrades weren't forgotten, commenting early on, "Every note we hit tonight is for Dimebag and Vinnie," with video screen segments, a kick-drum illustration and patches on Wylde's sleeveless vest all paying tribute to the band's deceased co-founding brothers "Dimebag" Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott.

At the conclusion of songs, Anselmo periodically did outstretched arm motions accompanied by smiles, accentuating his remarks about how great and humbling it felt to be back in action in front of an eager audience.

"This is insane," he said. "Pittsburgh, home of steel" he noted, adding how a region with so much Pantera passion made for a perfect tour launch site.

The band has done a few one-off festival appearances this year, including two weeks ago at the Ohio State Reformatory, priming them for a night of precision and rust-free propulsion and power.

Sporting a black sleeveless Pantera T-shirt, like much of the crowd, Anselmo demonstrated why he's considered a premier metal frontman, cathartically whipping fans into a frenzy with the potent sound of his voice and commanding stage presence. By a show of hands when queried, a majority of fans indicated they were seeing the band for the first time.

With finger horns held high, they sang along to choruses, and headbanged to the rhythm. Unlike a lot of rock concerts these days, you don't have to worry about Pantera spectators distracting you with mid-song conversations because, a) They're focused utterly on the music, and b) they'd be unable to compete with the sheer volume.

Star Lake fans even sang the "Happy Birthday" song to Brown, who turned 59 a day earlier.

Full Star Lake setlist is here.

The thrashy "Strength Beyond Strength" and "Mouth For War," replete with Anselmo screams and Benante and Wylde's bashing and shredding in lockstep fashion, were early set highlights.

A stage-wide row of flames ignited amid "I'm Broken."

"Suicide Note Part II" brought multi-tempo waves of thrash. Wylde's heavy guitar grinding carried "5 Minutes Alone."

Anselmo accurately calculated 100 percent of the crowd would recognize the next song as Wylde struck the iconic opening guitar notes to "Walk," as warmup act Snafu, a hardcore Detroit band, joined in on stage.

The night's popular main support, Lamb of God, did an excellent job firing up the crowd with more grab-you-by-the-throat metal.

Lamb of God's energetic frontman Randy Blythe referenced how Pantera was a huge influence on his band, and that this was a historic night.

One of summer's most eagerly anticipated shows turned out to be a crowd-pleasing success. If you're a fan elsewhere reading this, and still on the fence about seeing the tour, trust those who were there in Burgettstown opening night: It's worth it.

Comments from Pantera fans who were there:

"The show was everything I wanted and needed. It brought me right back to when I saw them in the '90s. I haven't headbanged that hard in years. It was also a beautiful tribute to Dime and Vinnie. I loved every second of it," Jason Nelson, professional concert photographer.

"I totally think they killed it, and did it right," Byron Nash, Pittsburgh rocker.

"Pantera was very good. Phil engaged with the crowd and seemed to be having a legit good time. The show was very respectful to the memory of the Abbott brothers. The crowd seemed to be having a great time," lifelong metal fan John Burkhart.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Beaver County Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pantera tour launch delivered what Star Lake fans wanted