Phil Anselmo, the singer for Pantera did this interview just recently on 12/01 in the latest issue of Metal Hammer magazine - relevant after the death of Dimebag Darrell
"I think, more or less, it lies between Dimebag and I. There was never a point when he could not get drunk. Which was pretty much every day. And now I'm hearing it's worse than ever.
"He would attack me, vocally. And just knowing that he was so much smaller than me I could kill him like a fuckin' piece of vapor, you know, he would turn into vapour - his chin would, at least, if I fuckin' smacked it. And he knows that. The world should know that. So physically, of course, he deserves to be beaten severely.
"But of course, that's criminal and I won't do such a thing... Really, I just let him prattle on. I grew very tired of it very quickly, and whenever it came up, like it has come up today, I just chose to wish them the best of luck. And in all honesty I really wish that they would be men, which is very hard for them, figuring that they were living in their mother's house until they're 30 years old. In comparison, I was on the street by choice at the age of 15, living anywhere I could - but living, and successfully living, through my will."
.......
On Dimebag's implication in interviews that Anselmo has returned to heroin:
"What a stupid man. What a shallow, stupid man. How would he know what I do? And by the way, I've been fucking bone-sober for three and a half years now. Anybody who has seen me on stage, anybody who has seen the shape of my body and the size of my arms, and the fucking burning desire in my eyes, knows that I am fuckin'... I drink four beers and I have a buzz now. Gimme a break. I couldn't even say that in my twenties."
On the possibility of a PANTERA reunion:
"It would take a lot of soul-searching. It would take a lot of negotiation. And we'll see. In the end, it's what's most important to the fans.
"That's the last time I'm ever - you can put this in your article - this is the last time I am ever talking about PANTERA."
Continued on the next page
Page 1 — Page 2
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Lono
What a weird and strange story. In all of my years following every single detail of everything that has ever happened in rock, I have nothing to compare this to. What a bizarre and horrible horrible tradgedy. What the fuck is wrong with people that would cause someone to start shooting at entertainers. I was discussing this at work with a friend and he made a good point: dude died quickly, and doing what he loved. So maybe that ain't so bad.
2 - Andrew Ian Dodge
More proof, if you need one, that Anselmo is a fuckwit in the first degree. I was exactly surprised when Pantera broke up. Its just a great shame that Damageplan who had such potential has been ended so brutally.
3 - Dawn
It's merely a macro of the micro of life.
Two once "so called" friends had a falling out and decided to make it public (because they were like, famous and stuff) like a couple of crying three year olds and some half-brained assplow who allowed his life to some how become revolved around the existence of a "rock band" mere entertainers for crimninies sake, took it hard and lost what was left of his little mind.
People need to have more important things to do with their lives than be involved with this sort of goings on. That's what's truly pathetic - and for the record I hope Anselmo seeks forgiveness for being such a meanspirited fuckhead.
4 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Here here Dawn, never a truer word been said.
5 - Tim Hall
I wonder if deranged nutjob who killed Dimebag had read that garbage from Phil Anselmo? And if so, did it influence his twisted mind into doing what he did?
6 - Dawn
Well, it is alleged that he blamed DBD for breaking up Pantera - it would seem to imply that he had a "band break up" related grudge - if you can ignore the tragedy for a sec - which I admit is hard to do - it's rather silly and immature.
I think a more appropriate response would have been to climb up on stage, drop trou and moon the poor bastard - or better yet, shrug your shoulders, dig into their metal goodness and rock out to their pre-break up tunes.
I mean hell, we all wish we could have beaten the shit out of Yoko - but being a diminutive little Asian woman, that would have seemed barbaric.
It's just so sad.
7 - Tim Hall
According the the BBC (who have now picked up this angle on the story), Metal Hammer isn't published in the US.
Doesn't mean that Dipwad didn't read the Blabbermouth.net transcript, though.
8 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Tim actually you can buy Metal Hammer is places like Borders in the US. (Not to be snippy.) They have a pretty wide ranging import music section. It is easy to imagine this cretin being able to buy the mag in Ohio.
9 - Dawn
and there are plenty of cretins here in Ohio
10 - hank
This is fucking sad. Too metal gods bitching in the magazines like fuckin niggers. It comes down to this.
11 - Dawn
hank, I think you mean like "fuckin hillbillies" as I think that is a better description and less disgusting and offensive you creepy jerk.
12 - John
An insane, almost unbelievable tragedy. I feel terrible for everyone involved. The metal community (as well as the music commuinty) has lost an amazingly talented musician who enjoyed doing what he loved and made people happy through the music. Pantera got me through some pretty tough times and even now 10 years later I still pull out Far Beyond Driven (my personal favorite) as well as VDOP & the others and relax, get my aggression out and just remember what is was like to be younger and angry at the world. Pantera made me realize that it was okay to be pissed off and it gave me a positive outlet so I could be an adult when dealing with hard times. This loss is truly fucking shocking and horrible.
13 - jes
As someone who grew up listening to Pantera, I am shocked that something like this has happened. I had just seen damageplan in philly, not even two weeks ago, and was talking to Vinnie after the show. We tried to wait for Dime but he was taking so long. Didnt realize that it would be the last time we saw them. My thoughts and prayers are with Vinnie and the rest of the Abbott family, remember the legend that Dime leaves! To the creep who did this, rot in hell!
RIP Dimebag Darrell Abbott
14 - Mat
My heart goes out to Dimebags family and the families of thos murdered by this psycho.
Whichever way you look at it though, Phil Anselmos bullshit in the media had to set this guy off.
Why else would he blame Dimebag for the Pantera breakup and not go and shoot Phil at a SJR gig?
15 - Andrew Ian Dodge
Yeah, if that is really his reasoning you can bet he used Phil's words to spur him on. But to take an inter-band squabble and use it as an excuse for murder is beyond pathetic. That god there were no idiots like this into Judas Priest or Iron Maiden during their various kerfuffles.
16 - Brad
Well thats fuckin it hey
The world now official FUCKIN sucks.
Dimebag 4 EVA
Plus No.1 i no listen to this SJR shit.
Dimebag made you Phil And u destroyed Him. Some fuckin loyalty U have.
17 - richie gilmore
I just dont no what to think! how could
someone do this! I think the fucking prick that shot dimebag was a Phil want to be dicksucker! I will never think of phil assmo the same, maybe i am wrong or just pissed by all the bullshit that i have read, and mainly by the death of a metal god,I just wonder how vinnie is doing? man you in my prayers!
richie gilmore
owensboro,ky.
18 - Sonya
I am truly saddened by this tragedy. I also spent my teenage years rocking out to Pantera and using their sound to drown out the angst of growing up around metal followers, or rejects as we were in my high school. I can still remember sitting outside their gig in New Britain, CT in like 1992, trying desperately to find tickets... never went to another show, never tried to check out their new projects... this tragedy has really put into perspective how short life is and how we just never know when our time is coming... RIP Dimebag.... long live the fans who will carry his memory in their hearts... I only wish we could all get closure.... thanks!
19 - Brad Ollis
Let Phil the fuck off the hook. He's entitled to say his piece about the Pantera breakup however he chooses, and if he chooses to be a dickhead and talk about the size of his fucking arms that's his business. We can only speculate that those words were what set this deranged cocksucker off, and even if they were, Phil had no way of knowing they would have had this result.
As for Dime. Dude, you were an inspiration. You're the reason I picked up an axe 10 years ago and started a metal band, and even if I'm playing death and black metal these days, it wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for you. You'll live forever through your music, and the music of all those you've inspired. Rest in Peace.
20 - cantu
I believe it was not phil anselmos
fault for this tragedy it seems like
this dude had this in mind for a while he (the p.o.s gunman) took panteras lyrics too seriousley .
(watch your mouth when I'm not around its eazy to achieve one step from lashing out at you ) Dime Bag is the epitomy of metal there is no other there
will never be another ! I promise I will think before I speak especially about some one else. R.I.P dime bag
21 - Brother Glen
This an absolute shame!! Phil's comments probably fueled fuckups desire to kill Dimebag!! I have yet to see anything public from Phil yet!! Maybe it's cause he will look "weak" being sorry about Dimebags death after ripping on him.. Dimebag wuz the last person I wanted 2 see die!! His guitar work wuz unmatched!! THe only metal master I truly liked in this day and age. With him gone fuck I just hate about all music now!! THis world will never be the same. Tomorrow I am going to a big party at a buddies and they r all hardcore Pantera fans so its gonna be our own tribute! The least we can do!! Maybe bring out a bottle of Crown in tribute!! Fuck this hurts!! I never thought I would hafta put up with this so soon!! We'll miss u Dime!!! U're spirit will live in all of us!!
22 - CTG
My soul truly wreaks with sorrow. Dime, YOU were METAL man! We will always remember you for staying true to what you believed in. Thanks for being genuine and sharing that with us. We'll miss you..
23 - groovemetalhead
I would like to pay my respects to Vinnie and the Abbott family. Dime and Pantera inspired me more than i can even explain! There will never be another guitarist like Dime! I have been lucky and I am honored to have seen Pantera live several times! Though I have never met Dimebag, I felt like I lost a BROTHER yesterday! DIME I love ya BRO! R.I.P
24 - njohne
R.I.P.Dimebag...nothing else now matters.
25 - matthew bremner
I am truly devastated by dimes murder. It was unreal seeing some guy in a chessy suit on the news and utter dimebags name, let alone that he was shot dead.How the fuck in 2004 ,in the states can a guy get in a concert with a gun, then get onstage and fuckin start shooting!!60 cops on this case to find a motive, but they cant tell u how this is possible!fuckin sad,.. I love u man,u are in my stereo and my heart forever bro. R.I.P