Pantera’s Phil Anselmo Apologizes For Racist Remarks After The Metal World Reacts With Disgust

This is a far cry from “thicken up your skin.”

Phil Anselmo of Pantera caused a major sh*tstorm in the metal world this week after he went on stage at Dimebash and casually informed fans that “Walk” is actually more of a goose-step. When video emerged of Anselmo snapping a Nazi salute and shouting “White Power” at the crowd, metal fans and musicians were quick to react.

All Shall Perish called Anselmo’s actions “disgusting and inexcusable” before pointing out that metal has “no gods, No masters, and certainly no master race.”

Machine Head guitarist Robb Flynn uploaded an 11-minute YouTube video going after Anselmo and the people that support him (while providing a quick history lesson to people who see no difference between ‘white pride’ and ‘black pride.’)

“I’ve talked to people on so many tours: ‘Yeah, Anselmo is up there ‘sieg heiling’ and mouthing the words ‘white power.” ‘Why don’t you call him on it?’ ‘Oh, ’cause I love Pantera, man. And who wants to start sh*t with him?’ Exactly. Who wants to start sh*t with you? You’re a big bully. A big, scary dude. But… enough’s enough. Enough’s enough. Now, I haven’t felt connected to the metal community for quite some time now. I don’t get it. I don’t get how this kind of sh*t is tolerated. I don’t get how this sh*t is even blown off as acceptable, brushed off as acceptable.”

Killswitch Engage tweeted a link to their most recent single “Hate By Design.” The song features a very clear anti-racist message.

Fans also jumped in on the (deserved) anti-Anselmo sentiment.

Anselmo must have heard, because he uploaded his apology on January 30:

“Philip H Anselmo here, and I’m here to basically respond to all the heat I’ve been getting that I deserve completely. I was at the Dimebash and it was extremely late at night, there was heavy-duty talk between myself and those who love Dime. Heavy emotions were flowing, jokes were made backstage, that transpired upon the stage, and it was ugly, it was uncalled for, and anyone who knows me and my true nature knows that I don’t believe in any of that…I am a thousand percent apologetic to anyone that took offense to what I said, because you should have taken offense to what I said. And I am so sorry. I hope you give me another chance.”

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