Zakk Wylde about upcoming Pantera shows: “Of course it’s not Pantera!”

In a recent interview to Ultimate Guitar, Zakk Wylde addressed the upcoming Pantera shows.

Wylde said:

“It was so funny, because somebody was like, ‘It’s not Pantera!’ Of course it’s not Pantera. Laughs. It’s Phil (Pantera‘s lead vocalist), Rex (Pantera‘s bassist) and two of their buddies getting together to honor Dime, Vinnie and all their achievements.

It’s a celebration of Pantera and all the mountains they conquered. It’s the way I look at it.”

About past rumors of a Pantera reunion:

“There was always word about that going around. And I just always said, ‘That’s up to the guys.’ It’s almost kind of like, the way I always viewed it, if Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding called up Eric Clapton because Eric and Jimi, they’re all friends. And they’re just like, ‘Eric, we’re gonna get together, and we’re gonna go honor Jimi. Would you sing and play Jimi’s stuff?’ Of course Eric would do it. I mean, that’s his buddy.

It’s like, ‘Zack, would you ever do it?’ It’s like, ‘Well, of course I’m going to do it. Why would I not?’ I’m going to do best job I can, obviously, but that’s not my decision, that’s the guys. Back in the day with Vinnie, there were discussions, and then, after Vinnie passed away, I didn’t think anything would ever happen. I remember Phil called me one night, and was like, ‘Zakk, me and Rex would really love it if you would honor Dime.’

I was like, ‘Of course, guys, I would always be here to honor Dime and all your achievements.’ The way I looked at it. It’s just a bunch of friends getting together, honoring their buddies.”