Sorry, but now I have to reach out again into the past again. Because when I look at Philip Alnselmo up there on stage, all this memory is coming back to me from past times. It was a time, when Pantera , the Cowboys From Hell, rose up to Metal Heaven  in the early eighties. Although singer Philip Anselmo came first in the band in 1987, the band, who also included Dimebag Darrel as a founder member. They started out as a hair metal band, but developed soon more and more to a thrashmetal act. 
Pantera could finally look back on nine studioalbums and four live recordings, whereby the 1990 album 'Cowboys From Hell' was probably the absolute highpoint. At this time I saw this lot with Phil live in London, England for the first time.Another time, a few years later, I met 'em again in Augsburg, Germany supporting Megadeth. That must have been around 1992 or 93. To be honest, in the following years, I can't exactly remember, whether the band had been here again. But however, this all is history now. Officially Pantera have split in 2003. And Dimebag Darrel... yeah well, you know what happened to him. Make it better up there boy.... 

Down now exists since 1994. One year later, the debut album 'Nola' came out, But first eight years later the second CD came along named 'DownII . A Bustle In Your Hedgerow'. And past September the third longplayer was released. Now they are finally over here again. The venue here ain't sold out. Only about 800 fans found their way here tongiht. I see many young faces in the audiance. These are kids, who surely can't draw any comparison to Pantera, because of beeing too young. 

However, Down are currently the one and only Philip Anselmo on vocals, Pepper Keenan (git), Kirk Windstein (git), Jimmy Bower (Drums) and Rex Brown (Bass) – 
The setlist includes only songs from the 3 albums. Not a single Pantera song, maybe as a nostalgic reminder found it's way on the list. Maybe it's due to copyright reasons, who knows. By the way, tonight there ain't no supportact, but videoclips are shown on a large screen 'till 9 p.m. Thanks god, it doesn't realy affect the generell mood. Because everybody in here is waiting for just one person anyway. And he gets greeted with a huge applause. It get's down like oil, and Phil is bathed in the enthusiasm of the first rows. He does look so much better nowadays what's up to his physical condition as well as  his look, the hair - just everything. And don't forget, he's turning 40 this year... but he definately doesn't look it...

Back to the Action, who he is directing up there. Partly highly explosive, and then again almost quietly. His voice is the big bonus, though the music of Down ain't that heavy like Pantera's sound used to be. At some points i personally feel a bit of monotony in the performance. But the fans don't, so what.... Phil communicates with the audiance a lot. Towards the end, the other's in the band get their solo stint as well, and inbetween Philip presents the backlines as Snake Sabu from Skid Row, and one of our local security as Robert Plant.... very innovative, I have to say... - That's how to get a special guest...  by taking care about the entertainment aspect. At the grand finale the band hands their instruments to the technicians, who continue to play. 
One thing is for sure... Philip is back again, and has conquered the old Pantera fans and the new kids by storm. And over all the spirit of Dimebag Darrel is swinging. 

http://www.down-nola.com/