PHILIP ANSELMO: 'The PANTERA Guys Won't Talk To Me'

PANTERA frontman Philip Anselmo has revealed that he is no longer on speaking terms with the group's guitarist Dimebag Darrell — the result of a "falling out" that the singer says he is not sure "what the hell it's about."

Speaking to Revolver magazine for its September 2003 issue, Anselmo — who is currently focusing all of his attention on SUPERJOINT RITUAL — said that he doesn't expect his PANTERA bandmates to wait around on him before pursuing other projects of their own.

"They're doing it [already]," Anselmo told the magazine, referring to Darrel and PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul's new project, provisionally called NEW FOUND POWER. "They're gonna name it something else [other than PANTERA], but they're doing it, and best of luck to them. I have no bad feelings toward those guys at all."

Asked if he thinks the other guys harbor any resentment toward him, Anselmo replied, "Sure. Absolutely. They won't talk to me. I speak to Vinnie maybe once every blue moon. But I think Dimebag and I have had a falling out that's going to be a little tough to reconcile. I'm not even sure what the hell it's about."

When questioned if the disagreement between him and Dimebag is of a musical or personal nature, Philip said, "Both. He's got a lot of resentment in his heart, and I don't really know where it's coming from. I'm not sure he's mad at me at all, you know? He's got a lot of personal issues in his life that he has to face, and once he does, I really, truly hope he becomes a better person — the beautiful person that I came to know and love."

With regards to whether doing another PANTERA record is where his head is at right now, Anselmo said, "No, it's not. It's not the right time. One thing you've gotta understand is, with PANTERA I've always been the one to question things. I've always been the one to say, 'Are you sure you wanna do this?' 'Are you sure this is right?' And they listen to me, they hear me out. And by no means am I saying that I'm the brains behind the entire thing. But I am saying that when it comes to music, due to my knowledge and very natural connection to what the underground scene is, I had to enlighten them several times over. Without me, it'll be real interesting to hear what they come up with."

Asked if he is interested in hearing the final product once it's completed, Philip said, "I'll listen to it when it comes out. And sure, it's gonna sound like PANTERA in a bunch of spots musically. And I'm also sure they've got a singer who — if it's Dimebag Darrell's dream — is gonna be a cross between Philip Anselmo and a guy who can hit, like, Rob Halford-style extreme high notes and shit. That's just a wild guess. But as for me being interested in it, what I'm really interested in is SUPERJOINT RITUAL. That's what interests me right now."