Filter Frontman Reckons Phil Anselmo And Rex Brown Should Reunite Pantera with Friends of Abbott Brothers

Our friends over at Metal Injection report that Richard Patrick, frontman of Filter and brother of the T1000, has a suggestion for Rex Brown and Phil Anselmo - sadly the only two members of Pantera still with us. It reads as follows:

Statement!! For some reason… I just feel the need to say this!! Phil Anselmo!! Is the greatest singer in metal. He’s the sweetest dude ever. I love that guy!! I really hope he knows how much we all love him. He’s been vilified! He’s been misunderstood!! But I absolutely just need and want to say this!!!

Coming from my punk Industrial past when I heard and saw Phil I was completely blown away. I was not into metal at the time but… when I saw a shaved headed punk fronting Pantera I thought to myself thats one of mine… a punk, mean as fuck, super voiced, crushing mother fucker who is speaking to me. Trent Reznor Played me A Vulgar Display of Power and I was awe struck. I was never the same!!!

HAVING SAID THAT… (I know I’m stepping in it and it’s none of my business no one put me up top this) IT WOULD BE A CRIME AGAINST MUSIC TO NOT PUT PANTERA BACK TOGTHER WITH TRUSTED FRIENDS OF VIENIE PAUL, DIME BAG!!! Off the top of my head.. I would think guys like Zack Wylde and Ray Luizer. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVED VINNIE AND DARREL!!

I KNOW IT’S RIGHT AFTER VINNIE‘S DEATH.. I WILL TAKE THE HEAT I UNDERSTAND I LOOK INSENSITIVE BUT FOR GOD SAKES PLEASE BRING PANTERA BACK TO US SO WE CAN CELEBRATE THE TRUE MEMORY OF VINNIE AND DARREL AS WELL AS SEE THE ABSOLUTE, MIND BLOWING, LIVING LEGENDS PHIL AND REX!!! SEARCH YOUR FEELINGS! YOU KNOW I’M RIGHT!! Nineties rock genius are dying way to fucking fast… For fuck sakes you were thinking it, I said!! #PANTERA

We're not sure about this. First of all, no disrespect to Richard Patrick, he's just speaking his mind, but Vinnie's not been gone a month, so this kind of talk seems a little (a lot) too soon. Second of all, yeah, it'd be fun to see Zakk Wylde's take on some Pantera classics, but if that happened let's keep that to a one-off benefit show - no one needs a "Pantera Allstars" tour, the Abbott brothers' legacy is too special to mess with.

As always, though, we're keen to hear you guys' thoughts!