Music

Pantera's Phil Anselmo apologizes for his racist actions

by Jesse Locke

The fifth annual Dimebash (a metal charity show paying tribute to late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell) took place on January 22 with appearances from Pantera bassist Rex Brown, Dave Grohl, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, and many more. Sadly, the event will now be remembered for the racist onstage actions of former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo.

Five days after the gig, an attendee named Chris R posted a video titled “Phil Anselmo is a Racist! Ruins Dimebash 2016.” His handheld footage shows Anselmo giving a Nazi sieg heil salute and screaming the words “white power!” Watch it below:

Anselmo first responded in the comments section of the video via his label Housecore Records’ YouTube account. Read his baffling and disappointing response where he attempts to chalk up the “inside joke” to drinking white wine (???):

Ok folks, I’ll own this one, but dammit, I was joking, and the “inside joke of the night” was because we were drinking f—ing white wine, hahaha…
Of all f—ing things.
Some of y’all need to thicken up your skin.
There’s plenty of f—ers to pick on with a more realistic agenda.
I f—ing love everyone, I f—ing loathe everyone, and that’s that.
No apologies from me.
PHA ’16

Unfortunately, this is nothing new for Anselmo. As Loudwire explains, he has faced accusations of racism dating back to a white pride speech delivered at a 1995 Pantera show.

Many musicians and members of the metal community have since called out Anselmo, kickstarted by an 11-minute video response from Machine Head guitarist Robb Flynn:

Anselmo has now responded with a video of his own. He apologizes to “anyone that took offence”, owns up to his “uncalled for” actions, and asks fans to give him “another chance.” Comments on the video are currently disabled.