Who Replaced Rex? A Look at Pantera‘s Lineup Changes

When founding bassist Rex Brown had to miss Pantera‘s December 11th reunion show in Chile due to COVID-19, former Cattle Decapitation bassist Derek Engemann stepped in to fill the huge void. Engemann, who also plays with vocalist Philip Anselmo in his current bands, took over bass duties for most of the set. So in answer to "Who replaced Rex?" – it was Engemann who got the call.

Examining the Timeline of Pantera‘s Reunion

Pantera‘s reunion tour generated huge anticipation among metal fans, marking the first time Anselmo and Brown shared the stage to perform Pantera classics like "Walk," "Cemetery Gates," and "Cowboys From Hell" since the band‘s acrimonious breakup in 2003.

Unfortunately, founding members Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul have passed away, leaving gaping holes in Pantera‘s lineup. Here‘s a timeline of how the reunion came together:

• 2004 – Tragically, Dimebag Darrell is murdered on stage while performing with his band Damageplan
• 2006 – Vinnie Paul forms his new band Hellyeah full-time
• 2018 – Vinnie Paul dies at age 54 from heart disease
• 2021 – First reunion rumors spread of Anselmo and Brown reuniting as Pantera
• 2022 – Zakk Wylde announced as Darrell‘s replacement on guitar
• 2022 – Charlie Benante announced as replacement on drums
• Dec 2022 – First reunion tour dates announced

Honoring Dimebag‘s Legacy

While no one could ever truly replace Dimebag Darrell, bringing in legendary guitarist Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society does provide a worthy friend and contemporary of Darrell‘s to honor his legacy. Wylde and Darrell were close, and Dimebag had given Zakk his blessing to fill in if anything ever happened to him.

Benante‘s Credentials

On drums, Pantera recruited longtime Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante. With his technical prowess and speed, Benante is considered one of thrash metal‘s most influential drummers. He brings credibility having pounded drums for Anthrax since 1983 and appeared on all of their classic albums. Benante has also played in crossover thrash icons Stormtroopers of Death.

Uncertainty Around Rex Brown‘s Future

When Rex Brown announced he had come down with a mild case of COVID-19 and would miss the Chile show, it raised fresh uncertainty about the future of Pantera‘s reunion. Some fans worried it could spell the end of Brown‘s involvement altogether.

But Brown stated on social media he expected to rejoin the tour after his recovery. Former Down guitarist Bobby Landgraf also stepped in to cover bass duties in Chile alongside Engemann. Still, Brown‘s absence sparked concerns over the band‘s stability without two founding members present.

Rex Brown‘s Enduring Pantera Legacy

While this reunion aims to celebrate Pantera‘s catalog, Rex Brown‘s importance to the band can‘t be overstated. He co-founded the seminal groove metal band in 1981 with the Abbott brothers, appearing on all 9 of their studio albums.

• Pantera albums Brown performed on:
  • Metal Magic
  • Projects in the Jungle
  • I Am the Night
  • Power Metal
  • Cowboys from Hell
  • Vulgar Display of Power
  • Far Beyond Driven
  • The Great Southern Trendkill
  • Reinventing the Steel

Brown‘s signature heavy bass tones helped define Pantera‘s groove metal sound that influenced a generation of bands. His chemistry with the Abbott brothers propelled their commercial success throughout the 90s.

Rex Brown‘s Net Worth

Having been there since the beginning, Rex Brown‘s net worth today is estimated at $5 million. Pantera went on to sell over 9 million albums in the United States alone during their commercial prime.

Brown also enjoyed success with the band Down after Pantera‘s dissolution. And he has released several solo records over the past decade, including his well-received 2019 album Smoke on This.

Showing Pantera‘s Lasting Influence

Pantera‘s ability to capture their original chemistry without two founding members has been questioned. But this reunion tour does provide a way for metal fans to celebrate Pantera‘s enduring influence. Their groove-heavy sound and intense live shows inspired countless metal and hardcore bands who followed.

Upon Pantera‘s induction into the Hall of Fame this year, Rage Against the Machine‘s Tom Morello spoke about their wide-ranging influence on metal, hardcore, punk, and rock. Morello said he "saw it firsthand" how Pantera‘s "confrontational, groove-heavy detuned swing blew the doors open for what metal could be."

Prioritizing Pantera‘s Music and Fans

In my opinion, this reunion tour offers a fitting tribute to Pantera‘s lasting legacy by putting the focus where it belongs – on their iconic, earth-shaking music and the loyal fans who have kept Pantera‘s memory alive. While no lineup will ever be the same without Dimebag and Vinnie, this celebration brings back together Pantera‘s surviving members to reignite the fire of songs that have meant so much to millions of fans worldwide. For the fans who never got to see Pantera live, it‘s a dream come true.