From the Vinnie and Dime.com site, a message from "J," purported to be related from Philip Anselmo, former Pantera lead singer, estranged from murdered former guitarist of the band, Dimebag Darrell:
- I don't have a big official statement. I do have a lot of inside knowledge on the Pantera feud from Philip's side and tonight he gave me the green light to let everyone else in on what I know. He trusts me to do this, and I take 100% responsibility for anything that is inaccurate, but I'm confident you all know I'm not going to touch on this subject unless it's from the heart. He didn't even give me any specifics except for the final part of this post... he just wants me to tell people what I know to be true.
Philip loved Darrell like a brother, always. They accomplished things together that most wouldn't even dare to dream. None of us can know what it's like to be riding such a big machine, it changes the face of music and brings joy millions of people's lives around the globe. The rewards are big, but the stress is unimaginable if things don't go perfectly. Yes Pantera broke up and there was a lot of shit talking through the media. There are two people on this board (WOLVIE and NGJ) who would periodically ask me about what's going to happen with Pantera in the future. I told them each time that I don't know when, but I'm 100% sure that we will see Pantera together again. I told them that when Pantera does get back together, you will know somebody who never lost faith, not for a second. Why did I tell them this? Because I know Philip loves those guys and when he was ready, he would reach out to them and try to make it work again. I had the feeling that one morning (afternoon maybe), all the CFH boys would just roll out of the rack and say "let's go!".
Of all the time I've spent with Rex and Philip, I never badgered them about Pantera, but the subject did come up every once in a while. As for Rex, he would refer to the state of things simply as "silly nonsense". All I ever got out of Philip was something like "nyaaaa... I just don't feel like sitting down and writing Pantera riffs right now."... and that's it! No crazy accusations, name calling, or carrying on. As a matter of fact, in the middle of all the heat, Philip described Vinnie as "the perfect drummer" and that Vinnie could drum more perfect than a drum machine if he so chose. What he said of Dime, he also repeated tonight. "The best of the best".
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Aaman
That's a deep statement, Eric. The media does indeed distort reality. Thanks for this update.
The pic below the message on the messageboard is very touching too.
2 - Aaman
Eric, a tribute video to Dimebag Darrell has been also posted to the forums - the video (Flash) URL is
http://www.westernwingshooter.com/DimebagDarrell.swf
You might want to add this to your article here and delete this comment
3 - Eric Olsen
thanks Aaman, added it and deleted the first trackback as you suggested
4 - derek
Ok, I just have to add this. I am a PANTERA fanatic, I'm a junior in high school and have been listening to PANTERA since I heard I'M BROKEN in 3rd grade. I never saw them, and am kicking my own ass for missing them. I've seen Phil twice with DOWN and SUPERJOINT RITUAL. With SJR he said some things about PANTERA that I knew he would regret, and I'm sure that even though he never meant it, he knows what he said and probably regrets it now. And as far as DIME, the man is going to be missed terribly. He was an innovator and a metal legend. Everyone that I'm friends with shed tears when we heard what happened. It absolutely tore us up. The press shouldn't try to deface Phil, because true PANTERA fans know that it was all bull shit. And you know, Nathan Gale is rotting in hell right now probably getting his ass kicked by all the PANTERA fans there. He wouldn't have made it a week in prison because some convict who happens to be a fan would've killed him.
5 - kyle
this whole situation is just a huge tragedy for the music world, fans, and family of dime. i really feel for phil also. he is taking way too much heat for this incident which he had no control over. there is only one person to blame for this and we all know who that is. the fans blameing phil need to ask themselves if they have ever got into a fight with any of their friends and talked some shit about them. ive met phil on a couple of occasions, i was in the same circle of friends as his younger sister in new orleans, and he was a genuinely good dude from what i saw.this is a shitty situation for him and people need to stop pointing the finger his way
6 - someone
i'll miss u brother
7 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Sorry mate Kyle there is a big difference between you and yer mates getting into an argument and saying things and someone of Anselmo's stature saying & doing some of thing he does. Its pathetic there are idiots who would go out there and try to put what they think he suggested into action. But Anselmo or his minders should realise there are people out that like that and act accordingly.
No one is saying its Anselmo's fault that DD was killed. People are just debating whether Anselmo's words might have influenced the nutter who pulled the trigger.
8 - Creepsta
Darrell will be missed. He was one of the greatest fast playing guitar players. It so amazing how a person you think that nothing like this would happen to. I have darrells picture by my work desk and look at him every day and know he's not suffering anymore. God Bless Vinnie, stay strong and keep on rocking dude!
9 - ERIC BARELA
I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU DARRELL, R.I.P.
10 - Edward S
I been a fan of Pantera all my life thats because my dad listen to them so then I started liking them I hope Philip has Dimebag as a good memory and that is not true about you saying you dont care if dimebag died that would be cold because like you said:"Darrel Brother, The best for the best"
Rest in Peace Darrell
11 - SHAZZAM
well fuck me, this brings tears to my eyes. Phil my heart goes out to you, and to the others but i was really broken when i went to his site and there was nothing.............
searching til i found this.
Indeed Dimebags death has shattered us all.
PanterA rocked and for me always will i have always loved phil for who he is and for the music PanterA produced.
As far as i see it the past is the past and when i heard Phil was not welcome at DD's funeral my heart sank, he still deserves to respctfully say goodbye to his "brother", weather he is welcome or not phil should have still been there. Imagine now what phil has to live with........ He never got to say goodbye
And that breaks my heart.
R.I.P Dimebag. lets cherish the music he gave us because he was The best of the Best.
12 - clan Abbott
I still cant for the life of me begin to comprehend the fact the some senseless afn killed the truly best of the best guitarist that ever walked in a pair of shoes . Dime was in fact THE TOP of his heat when it comes to guitarit's . Having toured on and off with PanterA on the CFH,Vulgar,& Far Beyond Drunk. I can say first hand that they knew they were gonna stay the course.every band that ever broke up always remembers where they come/came from. The same was for PanterA A few side projects and a few records later can do alot for people (Dime Vin Phil Rex) so for all those who lost faith that PanterA was never going to record again....I am ashamed of you all. Dime said every night touring with Damageplan "We never turned our backs on you" and it ment just that .PanterA was going to come back just to fu** you up. you cant always belive what you read . I does get twisted in the media and we all know that but we still all buy into it.
I lost a freind and an insparation to my life. Dime was a very motivating, heartfelt, soulfilled, caring, nicest amd most accommodating person that you would ever had the luck to meet in your entire life . It is very saddening to know that he is dead. The bodys gone but the soul is not and he will live in our hearts & memories & in his recordings forever. Dime will never be forgotten. Thank you for every thing you ever did for me and my life. R.I.P. Brother Dime. I never lost faith and I never will forget that sparkley light that was always in your skwinty eyes.
13 - PinheaD
Man I've been fucking grieving since I heard the news about Dime. All the times I've seen Pantera play, I would of never figured this shit would of happened. Pantera definitely needed Phil! Phil definitely needed Pantera. And here we all sit with our fingers up our ass now because of all of this SHIT! No Pantera, No Damageplan, no nothing, But our memories in our heads of the concerts we saw. Its a fucking shame that at 38 yrs old we would be done seeing Dimebag play-Motherfucker man you can still see Ozzy play Ozzfest, and Dime is gone. Nathan Gale you fucking piece of SHIT....YOU BETTER BE GLAD YOUR GONE MOTHERFUCKER...You loved Pantera? fuck you, you didnt even have love for yourself you fat piece of shit. Words cant describe the fucking hate I feel for you. Knowing that your mom bought you that gun you could probably imagine what we all think of her too.I hope she joins you in the fucking deepest pit of hell to burn forever you FUCK. You know your a fucked up piece of shit, when you dont have nothing better to do, than to go fuck with people. Oh Ya, Alrosa nightclub with their mickey mouse security.......Thanx for nothing...............
14 - stace
i have a terrible connection and could not view this video of Phil anselmo talking about his brother's death....and i could only listen to the audio in fragments.
does anyone have this video saved and would be able to email it to me? i would appreciate it SO much! my email is Hammett27@aol.com. thanks!
15 - A.M.
all of us has said things to people we care about that we later regreted at some time you know phil loved darrell hindsite is 20/20 enough said
16 - Numbshell
man i lived in East Texas back in 1985-87. attended Longview High school then. we would, my friend and his sister and i would go to Shreveprt, La to catch Pantera at the Circle in the Square. the Circle was a club that Pantera made their rounds in and paid their dues in. back then they still had Terrance Lee singing with them, but nevertheless they put on one hell of a show!! fucking Dimebag was "
Diamond Darrell" back then still and they were fun guys to hang with - they would roam around the floor in between their 3 sets a night! fucking cool guys! Darrell especially! he just wanted to make sure everone was having fun! he made playing the guitar look so easy! their cover of 'Metal Gods' was my favorite song they covered then! the song that sticks out the most anyway. as for Phil - God bless you brother! it's a fucked up industry you are caught up in anymore - i'm a musician and i'm glad things didn't work out for me to "make it big" - don't know if i could hang with such fake fuck limp dicks that run that industry anymore! love ya Phil! Keep the Faith!
17 - gonzo marx
ya hadda go dig this up..
today at work, after everyone else had left...was the first time i played Vulgar Display of Power since Dime's passing
i finally was able to listen without wanting to rip the lungs out of the thimble brained bastard that committed the Atrocity...
now, i wanna drag the miserable pigfucker to the nearest vivisectionist
gee...thanx...
Excelsior!
18 - bruce
Look i know that dime recorded all of his sessions. So phil you and vinnie need to get through whatever gay shit you two have holding us back from another album of nothing but gold heavy metal tunes. Both of you fuckers know that you have a gift that anybody wants. All I am saying is put the past to bed and do what only you guys can do with metal. Vinnie I put the ball in your court now, It's time to let your prodigal brothers help you through this. They need you as much, if not more than you need them. Come on stars of the real metal help my ears get some of your talents once more.And if nothing more let it fucking go. Make some decent metal like ya'll know how to do. Take it from me what you fuckers have is special. PERIOD!!!!
19 - danrocksny
I'm gald to see that as late as 5 4 2005 no one has forgotten...
DIMEBAG DARRELL FOREVER
20 - Pete
Damn its been a long year. I have to keep asking myself what is there to life, other than the usual stuff?
Dime you were and will be an inspiration. I cant still say enough about the level of sadness I feel knowing well never again get to see his awesomeness. To this very second my anger has not subsided. Ive spent some time since the shootings looking and reading things and its like damn, these guys live the dream make tons of money but are still vulnerable just like the rest of us. To all that know and care keep shredding and "Getcha Pull"
R.I.P Dime
21 - PsychoticBreak
After all this months, reading about Dime increase the hole his death left in my soul. Trying to ¿alleviate? what I feel I made a wallpaper as a tribute for him and I want to share it with all who loved and love him:
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/21311368/
I hope you like it. Blessed be.
22 - jody horn
i have no words of wisdom for the Abbott family. It doesnt get easier.It wont go away. All i can say is im sorry for your loss.Even though i didnt know Darrell, i still feel like i lost a brother. As for Phil, we still love ya. Dont disappear. All i keep thinkin is you are somewhere in the New Orleans chaos and i cant bear the thought of losing another member of the greatest band in the fuckin world.
23 - Wallisson
Jamais nos esqueceremos de você, Dime O som da sua guitarra me tirou da "fossa" vàrias vezes>>>>>WALLISSON-BRASIL-SAO PAULO
24 - ronny w.
R.I.P. dime.we love you dude.
25 - Cam
It's so damn sad to think Dime's dead...it really is. Pantera were the ONLY heavy fukin metal that there was. NOBODY could hold a candle to em. Slayer? NO! Metallica? HELL NO! Hell Metallica would wet their pants at a Pantera show. Pantera's 6 albums will remain the most brute, blistering, pant wetting, bone crushing, fucking heavy fuckin metal of all time. They were a gift from god. They were the heaviest, the most no-bullshit band there was EVER! Dime was the greatest fucking guitarist to walk the planet and always will be. It's a god fukin damn shame he fukin had to die. He was the GOD of heavy metal guitar PERIOD! In the bible of Heavy Metal he is the god. And for Phil...man dissing that guy is like dissing satan. He OWNS any vocalist. He was fucking possesed on doubt about it. R.I.P Dime. We will never for get you!!!!!