Pantera performed without founding bassist Rex Brown during their set at Knotfest Chile on Sunday night (December 11th) in Santiago.
An official statement from fest organizers cited “health problems” as the reason for Brown’s absence. However, local radio station Futuro reported that Brown contracted COVID-19 and flew back to the US to quarantine following Pantera’s Knotfest Colombia performance in Bogotá last Friday (December 9th).
Pantera later issued a statement from Brown, confirming that he contracted COVID: “I caught a very mild strain of COVID, but because of our own protocols, I simply do not wanna risk getting my brothers or the crew sick!! I’m feeling better & am on my way to a speedy recovery. Merry Fckn Christmas & see you all next Year!”
Bassists Derek Engemann and Bobby Landgraf filled in for Brown at Knotfest Chile. Both were ideal choices as Engemann plays with frontman Philip Anselmo in the latter’s solo band Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals, while Landgraf performs in Anselmo’s band Down.
Drummer Charlie Benante shared a video from the Chile set on Instagram with the following message: “#chile was on fire!!!! We missed Rex tonight, get better buddy! Damn it was a hot one.”
The re-formed Pantera lineup featuring Benante on drums and guitarist Zakk Wylde has played a handful of shows now, having made their debut on December 2nd at Mexico’s Hell & Heaven Metal Fest before a December 6th appearance at Monterrey Metal Fest in Mexico and the aforementioned South American Knotfest gigs.
Pantera played their first headlining concert in Santiago on Monday night (December 12th), and will wrap up their South American shows in São Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday (December 15th with Judas Priest) and Sunday (December 18th as part of Knotfest Brazil).
Below you can view a list of Pantera’s upcoming concert dates, including their 2023-2024 North American gigs supporting Metallica. You can also stream fan footage of the band’s Knotfest Chile show without Rex Brown.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with the confirmation from Rex Brown that he contracted COVID-19 and will miss the remainder of the South American tour.
Pantera’s 2022, 2023 and 2024 Tour Dates:
2022:
12/15 – São Paulo, BR – Vibra São Paulo
12/18 – São Paulo, BR – Knotfest Brazil
2023:
05/26 – Sofia, BG @ Armeets Arena
05/27 – Bucharest, RO @ Metalhead Meeting Open Air Festival
05/30 – Budapest, HU @ Barba Negra
05/31 – Vienna, AT @ Gasometer
06/02-04 – Nürburgring, DE @ Rock Am Ring
06/02-04 – Nürnberg, DE @ Rock Im Park
06/05 – Lodz, PL @ Atlas Arena
06/10 – Sölvesborg, SE @ Sweden Rock Festival
06/12 – Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena (Tix)
06/13 – Berlin, DE @ Verti Music Hall
06/15 – Copenhagen, DK @ Copenhell
06/21 – Hamburg, DE @ Edel Optics
06/22-24 – Oslo, NO @ Tons of Rock (Tix)
06/29 – Viveiro, Spain @ Resurrection Festival
07/02 – Bologna, Italy @ Return of the Gods Festival
07/13-15 – Cadott, WI @ Rock Fest
08/04 – E. Rutherford, NJ @ MetLife Stadium ^ (Tix)
08/11 – Montreal, QC @ Stade Olympique ^ (Tix)
08/18 – Arlington, TX @ AT&T Stadium ^ (Tix)
08/25 – Inglewood, CA @ SoFi Stadium ^ (Tix)
09/01 – Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium ^ (Tix)
11/03 – St. Louis, MO @ The Dome at America’s Center ^ (Tix)
11/10 – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field ^ (Tix)
2024:
08/02 – Foxborough, MA @ Gillette Stadium ^ (Tix)
08/09 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field ^ (Tix)
08/16 – Minneapolis, MN @ US Bank Stadium ^ (Tix)
08/23 – Edmonton, AB @ Commonwealth Stadium ^ (Tix)
08/30 – Seattle, WA @ Lumen Field ^ (Tix)
^ = supporting Metallica