Pantera rock NJ in rescheduled show following Ozzy’s passing (review, photos)

After 39 years of waiting, I finally got to witness Pantera live, and it wasn’t just another show. It was a pilgrimage. This was the show that was rescheduled after Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, adding a somber weight and an even deeper sense of occasion to the night. Rest in peace, Ozzy.

Seeing Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown on stage with Zakk Wylde on guitar and Charlie Benante on drums will never replicate the raw, untouchable groove of Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. Yet, it still hit me with the force of a freight train. Zakk masterfully held down those iconic riffs, honoring the originals without turning the performance into a cheap tribute.

The moment “Cowboys From Hell” exploded from the speakers after decades of me blasting that song on repeat was worth every single second I waited. The crowd went ballistic, a sea of heads banging in unison, a testament to the band’s enduring legacy.

Towards the end, unadulterated chaos—and it was perfect. When the opening chords of “Walk” rang out, the stage became a free-for-all. A slew of band members and guests piled on, including a mini-Slash impersonator whose guitar shot off a stream of sparklers. It was the kind of gloriously messy, completely unforgettable moment that only a Pantera show could deliver.

I will never miss another Pantera show that comes through. I mean shit, I got banned from MSG when I saw Phil open up for Slayer and I was carried out of the arena for crowd surfing, to what song? Walk. WALK, RIGHT THE FUCK ON HOME BOY!

Amon Amarth didn’t just play a show; they brought a Viking saga to life on stage. The setup alone was a visual feast that commanded attention. Huge Viking statues stood guard on either side of the stage, flanking massive horned helmet drum risers. Towering props looked as though they had marched directly out of Valhalla. While their signature Viking longship was absent this time, the entire scene felt like a dramatic, legendary gate guarded by warriors with axes and shields raised.

The band delivered a setlist of their greatest hits without a single dull moment. The crowd’s energy surged during anthems like “Guardians of Asgaard” and “Raise Your Horns.” A highlight of the night was “Put Your Back Into the Oar,” as the lights dimmed and smoke billowed, prompting the entire audience to mimic the rowing motion in unison. The darker, more savage songs were enhanced by visuals of swords and shields, creating an epic atmosphere that matched the brutal sound.

Throughout the entire spectacle, frontman Johan Hegg was in full command, not just of his band but of the entire audience. He wove the music and the visuals together seamlessly, keeping everyone completely locked in and part of the Norse legend unfolding before them.

King Parrot didn’t just open the show; they launched an all-out assault on the audience. The moment they hit the stage, the entire atmosphere shifted. The relaxed vibe of people grabbing beers and chatting evaporated, replaced by a frenzy of pure, unhinged chaos. The Australian grind-punk outfit is a force of nature in human form. Frontman Matt Young, with his banshee-like screams, was a whirlwind of energy, constantly baiting the crowd and even eating one girl’s phone.

This wasn’t a polite warm-up act. It was a 30-minute demolition derby that left everyone in the pit sweaty, exhilarated, and grinning from ear to ear. Even Phil Anselmo was side stage rocking out and wearing their merch. Their relentless energy and chaotic stage presence were a gut-punch that set the perfect, frantic tone for the rest of the night. If you walked in even a minute late, you completely missed the visceral shock to the system that proved you were in for something special. I was particularly glad to have caught them on their U.S. tour, especially since I had just missed their opening spot for Acid Bath two weeks prior.

Check out Dylan Lappin’s photos of Pantera, Amon Amarth, and King Parrot at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ on September 8, 2025, in the gallery below.

King Parrot:

Amon Amarth:

Pantera:

Pantera setlist:
Suicide Note Pt. II
Hellbound
5 Minutes Alone
Strength Beyond Strength
Mouth for War
Goddamn Electric
Becoming
I’m Broken
10’s
I’ll Cast a Shadow
This Love
Cowboys From Hell
Encore:
A New Level
Walk
Domination / Hollow
Fucking Hostile

Also Check Out: King Diamond delivers a ghoulishly electrifying performance at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre (recap, photos)