Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown went back on the road, bringing along Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth and Australian grindcore band King Parrot. It was a neck-breaking line-up for this sold-out show.

First up were the Aussies, King Parrot, who came out swinging with their opening song “Bozo.” It was a rude awakening in the best way possible, shaking the room awake after a long day of waiting in line. Formed in Melbourne in 2010, King Parrot is a five-piece made up of Matt Young on vocals, Ari White on lead guitar, Andrew Squires on rhythm guitar, Wayne Slattery on bass and backing vocals, and the newest member, Max Dangerfield, on drums. Their set was a whirlwind of energy and chaos that did the tour justice with their heaviness. Highlights included “Disgrace Yourself” and the fan-favorite “Shit on the Liver,” which had the pit tearing open early. King Parrot knew exactly how to kickstart a night like this.

The stage setup for Amon Amarth was next-level. Towering Viking statues stood on each side, and the helm of a Viking ship loomed in the center. Watching the crew put it all together built the anticipation until the lights dropped and the band stormed the stage. They opened with “Guardians of Asgaard,” and the crowd erupted. Johan Hegg’s booming voice filled the Kia Forum with a sound that felt larger than life, like a call to battle. With Olavi Mikkonen on lead guitar, Johan Söderberg on rhythm, Ted Lundström on bass, and Jocke Wallgren on drums, the band unleashed one epic track after another. The live Viking battles on stage added to the spectacle, making the performance feel like a cinematic journey. Songs like “Raise Your Horns” and “Twilight of the Thunder God” had the crowd shouting every word and thrusting fists high.

A black curtain with the red Pantera logo shining covered the stage. Behind it, “Suicide Note Pt. I” played while a tribute video honored the late Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. It was a heavy, emotional moment that had the entire arena quiet. Then the curtain fell and “Suicide Note Pt. II” ripped through the speakers, cutting that silence with pure rage.

Phil Anselmo walked out barefoot, which somehow felt even more metal. His raw, aggressive vocals sounded as feral as ever, shredding through eardrums and commanding the room. Rex Brown held down the bass with thunder, locking in the low end that made the walls shake. Joining them were Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) on lead guitar, shredding with a lightning-bolt guitar that gave each riff extra power, and Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Stormtroopers of Death) on drums, pounding behind a kit decorated with the faces of Dime and Vinnie. That alone was a beautiful tribute to the fallen brothers.

Formed in Arlington, Texas in 1981, Pantera broke up in 2003 and was revived in 2022 by Anselmo and Brown. Seeing them back on stage felt monumental. Between songs, Anselmo thanked the crowd with sincerity, even clapping for the fans after every track. That kind of humility was unexpected and refreshing.

The setlist was packed with classics. “Hellbound” and “5 Minutes Alone” brought the fire with pyro blasting across the stage. “Mouth for War” and “I’m Broken” hit like sledgehammers, while “This Love” slowed things down into a haunting sing-along before the pit came back alive with “Cowboys From Hell.”

For the encore, Pantera pulled out all the stops. “A New Level” bled into “Walk,” joined by King Parrot and Rita Haney, which made the moment even more special. “Domination/Hollow” kept the energy high before closing with a furious “Fucking Hostile,” complete with a “Stairway to Heaven” sing-along outro that left everyone hoarse but smiling.

This tour wasn’t just heavy. It was history being written in real time, and the Kia Forum was lucky enough to witness it.

Pantera