Even on the hottest day of the week, Ohio showed up in full force at Blossom Music Center to support the one and only Pantera on their current “Heaviest Tour of the Summer” run. Opening for the band were the hardcore punk outfit SNAFU and legendary Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth, whose high-energy performance got the crowd amped up for Pantera to close out the night.
First to take the stage was SNAFU, delivering a heavy-hitting sound reminiscent of Municipal Waste, Toxic Holocaust, and early Slayer. From the very first note, it was clear this band had no intentions of holding back. Powering through a six-song set, they tore into tracks from their latest album like “Choking Game” and “Bring Suffering,” along with what seemed to be new material titled “Zenith,” “Bloodletter,” and “Napalm in the Morning.” Whether or not the crowd knew the lyrics, fists were in the air and shouts of approval echoed across the venue.
Next up was the legendary Amon Amarth, whose stage setup was nothing short of epic. With massive stone guardians flanking the sides and a giant Viking helmet at the center, the atmosphere was set for something unforgettable. Having built a dedicated following since the late ’90s, they drew a massive crowd and delivered a powerful set featuring fan favorites like “Guardians of Asgaard,” “Raise Your Horns,” and “We Rule the Waves.” The entire audience sang and roared along, setting the perfect stage for the night’s headliner.
Finally, as the lights dimmed and the intro music rolled in, the crowd erupted. When the curtain dropped and photographers rushed the pit, the sound of “Hellbound” blasted through the speakers—and everyone in the venue knew they were in for an intense performance.
Fresh off their return from the U.K., where they played the “Back to the Beginning” show for Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance – just a couple weeks before the recently announced passing of the Prince of Darkness – singer Phil Anselmo emerged wearing a “Back to the Beginning” shirt in tribute. He called on the audience to chant Ozzy’s name after every song, and they delivered.
The band then launched into “5 Minutes Alone” and “Strength Beyond Strength,” with the same power and energy that once defined the late Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. When I returned to my seat, Ozzy’s name continued to echo across the venue. After “Goddamn Electric,” Phil was handed one of Dimebag’s original guitars and played a solo in his honor.
Blazing through massive hits like “Becoming,” “I’m Broken,” “This Love,” and “Cowboys From Hell,” Pantera held the audience captive, with everyone shouting along to every word. As the night wound down, the band paid a touching tribute to the fallen rock icon by playing Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan” as images of Ozzy filled the big screens.
With just a few songs left, Pantera closed out the night with some their biggest anthems to date: “Walk,” “A New Level,” and “F***** Hostile.” As fans began to file out, there was no doubt—this show was one for the books.
Setlist:
- Hellbound
- 5 Minutes Alone
- Strength Beyond Strength
- Mouth For War
- Goddamn Electric
- Becoming
- I’m Broken
- 10’s
- I’ll Cast a Shadow
- This Love
- Cowboy’s From Hell
- Planet Caravan (Black Sabbath Cover)
- A New Level
- Walk
- Domination/Hollow
- F*****g Hostile
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