Pantera - OVO Hydro 18/02/2025

Ive just witnessed something special

Twenty-five years is a hell of a long time to wait for anything, let alone the return of one of metals most iconic acts. But last night, as the temperature outside Glasgows OVO Hydro dropped below freezing, things inside were about to heat up in spectacular fashion.


Pantera at OVO Hydro - photography by Stewart Fullerton

Before diving into the main event, lets talk about the absolutely unhinged mayhem that was King Parrots opening set. The Aussie grindcore merchants took to the stage like a pack of rabid dingoes, turning the usually polite "filing in" period into a proper metal show. Frontman Matt Young prowled the stage like a man possessed, his banshee screams and manic energy setting the bar terrifyingly high for what was to follow.

Power Trip had the unenviable task of following that chaos, but the Dallas thrashers proved more than up to the challenge. With Seth Gilmore now commanding the mic, the band paid perfect tribute to their late brother Riley Gale while blazing their own trail forward. Their crossover thrash assault had the rapidly-growing crowd forming circle pits that would make a tornado jealous. When they launched into "Executioners Tax," the floor became a seething mass of headbanging humanity - a sight that brought a smile to more than a few old-school metalheads in attendance.


Pantera at OVO Hydro - photography by Stewart Fullerton

But lets be honest - tonight belonged to Pantera. The elephant in the room? Sure, this isnt the same band that terrorized the Barrowlands back in 94. But from the moment the opening riff of "A New Level" tore through the PA system, any doubters in the crowd were forced to eat their words (along with the occasional accidentally flailing elbow).

Phil Anselmo, looking like hed just emerged from a Louisiana swamp to kick everyones ass, growled and roared his way through "Mouth for War" and "Strength Beyond Strength" with the kind of intensity that made you forget what year it was. Rex Browns bass tone was absolutely monstrous - you didnt just hear it, you felt it rattling your ribcage. Meanwhile, Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante proved themselves more than worthy torch-bearers, honoring Dimebag and Vinnies parts while bringing their own fierce energy to the proceedings.

The setlist was a masterclass in metal dynamics. The brutal one-two punch of "Becoming" (with that nasty "Throes of Rejection" snippet) flowing into "Im Broken" had the crowd absolutely feral. During "Floods," the tribute video to the Abbott brothers on the giant screens brought a moment of genuine emotion to the chaos - a reminder of why we were all really here.


Pantera at OVO Hydro - photography by Stewart Fullerton

The night hit its peak during "Walk," when members of both support acts joined the band onstage for what can only be described as a metal family reunion gone beautifully wrong. And just when you thought things couldnt get any more surreal, they dropped that "Mississippi Queen" intro before "Fucking Hostile" in the encore - a nod to that legendary Zakk Wylde parking lot performance that had the old-school fans grinning ear to ear.

By the time they closed with "Yesterday Dont Mean Shit" (complete with that cheeky "Stairway" outro), the Hydro had been transformed into something resembling a war zone - albeit one where everyone was having the time of their lives. Security looked shell-shocked, the floor was a swamp of spilled beer and sweat, and every single person leaving the venue had that distinct "Ive just witnessed something special" look in their eyes.


The crowd went absolutely mental - photography by Stewart Fullerton

Twenty-five years was a long wait, but bloody hell, was it worth it. This wasnt just a nostalgia trip - it was a reminder of why Pantera became legends in the first place. The songs are still massive, the energy is still raw, and the crowd still goes absolutely mental. If this is what "half a band" sounds like, then sign me up for seconds.

Review by Fraser Doig, photography by Stewart Fullerton.

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