Chad Gray of Mudvayne claims that Vinnie Paul was “never behind” a reunion with Pantera.
There are still those who think that Pantera’s current live shows can never compare to what it used to be, even if the band is now traveling the globe and rekindling a legacy that is totally irrevocable. Many people believe that the band would not be the same without the late Abbott brothers, drummer Vinnie Paul and guitarist Dimebag Darrell, whose talents were vital in the band’s success.
Mudvayne vocalist Chad Gray discussed his experience being in Hellyeah with Vinnie Paul and discovering firsthand from the man himself that there was no prospect of a reunion while he was still alive during an appearance on The Jesea Lee Show (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).
“I know what it is, and I know that on some levels the goal is sincere and pure, but I also know that [a Pantera reunion] wasn’t happening the entire time because I sat through a million fucking interviews with Vinnie Paul and him and me doing interviews together and shit.
And every time there was a clown interviewer who seemed to be setting himself up for failure, Vinnie would literally say, “My brother’s dead,” in response to questions like, “So what’s the deal with all the mutterings we’re hearing about the Pantera reunion with Zakk?” That was all he had to say. All he would fucking say was that. And they refused to utter another word of profanity. That’s where it was located. And that’s how Vinnie approached the situation.
Thus, when hearing that and realizing how fervently he expressed it, I can understand the depth of his sincerity. He was indifferent. The fucking money wasn’t necessary for Vinnie. Vinnie was in Hellyeah with all of his heart. He was tremendously in love with Hellyeah. Being able to play in that band with him and having him genuinely bleed for that band was such an honor. For him, it was everything, and he had lost interest in Pantera.
Before Pantera’s current fan base becomes incensed by Gray’s remarks or Vinnie Paul’s feelings at the moment, the singer had nothing but kind things to say about Charlie Benante and Zakk Wylde, who are both stepping in for the roles left empty by the untimely deaths of the Abbott brothers.
Although he acknowledges that “people are loving to fucking be standing on that floor again… blazing into those fucking songs and playing that setlist,” he said he can’t reconcile the fact that he knows exactly how Vinnie Paul felt about the idea, even though his estate has since approved of what’s currently happening. Despite this, he doesn’t mind the Pantera “tribute” going out and doing its own thing.
