Pantera Reunion 'Could Have Done Earlier,' Vinny Appice Says

Pantera's highly-anticipated reunion tour finally happened in December 2022, but Vinny Appice believed it should have happened a long time ago.

The surviving members of the heavy metal band - Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown, Zakk Wylde, and Charlie Benante - decided to come together again to perform under Pantera's banner. They marked their return at the Hell & Heaven Metal Fest in Texcoco, Mexico, last year.

But for Appice, the members could have done it earlier, especially when Vinnie Paul Abbott was still alive.

Vinny Appice Happy To See Pantera Members Play Together Again

Appice, who previously promoted with Brown in the band, Kill Devil Hill, sat for an interview with TotalRock and opened up about Pantera's long time coming reunion.

"I always thought, even when Vinnie was alive - he was a good friend; rest in peace - I thought back then, 'Why don't they get Zakk in the band and go out and play this stuff?' Because it's classic stuff. People love the music; people love to hear it," Appice said.

The musician, just like Pantera's fans, expressed how happy he is that the surviving members are finally doing the reunion. While he thinks the members waited but could have done it earlier, he said the reunion is great.

Appice went on to praise Brown's capacity to play bass. He applauded the bass player's amps that he always blows, even during rehearsals.

As of press time, Pantera is busy headlining several major festivals across the globe. The band has also been tapped to support Metallica on the band's 2023-2024 North American stadium tour.

Vinny Appice Has Been Looking Forward to a Pantera Reunion

It was not the first time Appice spoke about Pantera's reunion.

In October 2022, Appice told Rocking With Jam Man that seeing the members together would be exciting. The host also asked him whether he received an offer to play drums for the comeback, to which he immediately shook his head in response.

Although Appice can play the instrument, he revealed that he does not use a double bass.

Aside from Pantera, Appice also recently spoke about Ronnie James Dio and whether he ever used backing tracks in his career. He revealed on Syncin' Stanley YouTube channel that the Heaven and Hell's former vocalist, who passed away in 2010, used it once since his illness was already affecting his performance.

Dio died six months after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in November 2009.

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Pantera