Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante opened up about his struggles with the backlash he faced since joining the Pantera reunion as a replacement for the late Vinnie Paul. In a recent interview with Consequence, Benante discussed the challenges he has faced in filling the void left by Paul and the emotional toll it has taken on him.
Ever since the announcement, it has been met with mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The decision to have Benante fill in for the legendary drummer Vinnie has been a source of controversy, where some fans even questioned the choice and accused the band of betraying Paul’s legacy.
The backlash intensified after allegations of racism against Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo surfaced, adding fuel to the fire. Amidst this turmoil, Benante has tried to focus on the music and his role in the band while dealing with the onslaught of negativity.
In the interview, Benante revealed that he tries not to seek out negative comments online, but sometimes they find their way to him. He expressed his frustration with the constant judgment and questioned why people feel the need to share their negativity so openly.
Charlie Benante’s words about coping with the backlash ever since the Pantera reunion read:
“I don’t go [online] looking for [people’s comments]. There are people that send me, ‘Hey, did you see this?’ And I’m, like, ‘Why did you send me this? Why ruin my day?’ I think the people who do these things, these comments, I don’t even think they realize how much of an effect that they could have on people and whether or not you hate the situation, or whatever it is, why can’t you find some restraint? Why do you need to say this thought that you have? Can’t you just hold it in and maybe be, like, ‘I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.’ No, they have to tell you. I’ve never seen more of it in my life than I [did] in these past couple of months about just people judging.”
Despite the challenges and backlash, Charlie remains committed to honoring Paul’s legacy and bringing new life to Pantera’s music. As the band continues to navigate this difficult time, fans can only hope that the music will prevail and help heal the wounds left by the loss of a beloved member and friend.
