Live Review: "The Heaviest Tour of the Summer '25" Pantera with Amon Amarth

7/22/2025

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Credit Union 1 Ampitheatre - Tinley Park IL
Saturday - July 19, 2025

"The Heaviest Tour of the Summer".
So let it be told, let it be done.
Song number three for the evening, "Strength Beyond Strength".
Simple words, song title and all, but convincing related to the bludgeoning, followed by brute force honesty, led by Phil Anselmo.

Their type of fierce and no compromising metal is gut punch related, more action than contemplation, more of a cathartic release compared to say, getting lost in the weeds.
That they've come this far on their own terms, sorting through personal loss first and foremost, and letting time do some healing of sorts before resurrecting the beast yet again, also speaks volumes.
Phil Anselmo and Rex Brown, the two remaining original members of Pantera, know full well what's needed to proceed, let alone the shoes to fill with the loss of the Abbott brothers, Dimebag and Vinnie.

Has to be true to the spirit and love of the band.
Enter Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante, two guys with formidable talents, guys who can play and play some more.
Since 2022 forward, that's what they've done, especially rewarding considering their other projects and bands that need tending to as well.
Makes things extra special going into 2025, and a full fledged tour through North America, with a stop in Tinley Park on a Saturday night.

Such was the show on Saturday night, meaningful and impactful, a case in point in convincing solidarity, related to their presence, the visuals displayed on their gigantic LED screen, let alone feel of all band members gelling as one.
The crowd- nutty and overly enthusiastic in seeing and hearing their heroes once again.
Phil made special note of it two songs in, how he always digs Chicago, the fans, the energy.
Sincere, that's Phil to the core.

Not that he needs to roam the stage like a bloodhound like back in the day, like the Aragon Ballroom back in the winter of 1997, and the utter chaos of that show from the main floor.
As much as that was body surfers on repeat throughout the night, followed by what felt like 110 degrees two songs in, the current feel is not immersed in that, but still unrelenting and steadfast nevertheless.

Phil ain't 24 anymore. Phil's 57 now, and wear and tear on the body over decades allows you time to look at things differently, especially in approach to a mighty catalog such as Pantera's and how to emulate sincerely the look and feel and vibe to get the songs across convincingly, and of course menacingly.

From the pit, first three songs in particular, Phil's mannerisms, his demeanor, more introspective, more dark and sinister without much fuss.
Loved witnessing this firsthand when photographing, seeing how he contemplates every lyric, every decisive move throughout.
Yes, once a badass, always a badass.
But Phil out of the four, when he gels, the band gels.
I mean just look at him,

This speaks volumes as well, a simple black t shirt, shorts, no shoes or socks, roaming throughout barefoot.
Just Phil and his mic, not much need for anything else.
Same goes with the other guys as well.

Everything about the current incarnation with all things Pantera- equals no bullshit.
Tried and true, reflecting on the songs, their history, surrounded by ghosts of sorts, Vinnie and Dimebag in particular, doing right by them, staying true to the Pantera schematic, and yet, to each his own as individuals, finding your own path with the songs, making them your own.
That to me is just so damn refreshing throughout their set, followed by a PA that can provide the wallop needed, punishing in all things audio from the pit to the back of the house up through the lawn.
This show- the stuff of heavy hitters, powerful riffs throughout, unrelenting in force and overall might.
Of course their encore was full boat strong, still no sign of weakness, or anything dialed in whatsoever, entering with "Cowboys From Hell", followed by "A New Level", and then into the mighty "Walk", which whacked you in the sternum, punched you in the gut, and still, not done yet, two more songs to go before close.

So yes, coming full circle with these guys, Phil in particular- the rage is still there, obviously seething underneath a bit. And yes, the overall mood is just as primal as ever before.
Music that is not just for weekend headbangers, that's for sure.
The heaviest of the heavy, staying true to their metal spirit is forever lodged in my brain, made more so with the caged animal restraint from Phil in particular, and not knowing when he will explode and or punish the shit out of you.
That kind of tension throughout, convincing, with a mind that reels out the demons, laser focused and yet thought of mind.
Just stunning to witness, the brute force honesty.
Such was the show at Tinley Park over the weekend.

Amon Amarth- Their immersion into "Viking Metal", Norse mythology front and center, led by a guy Johan Hegg- a guy who looks like he can snap you in two, proud as all get out, like the rest of his mates in Amon Amarth- make do with what you got, bring the show, even if it's only 9 songs in total.
And so they do, wicked light show and all, protected stage left / stage right with giant inflatable Nordic Viking warriors, protectors of all whom to enter.
It works, it really does, their version of anthemic Viking Metal that sounds furious and precise, all at once.

The only hiccup- song number five- "Put Your Back Into the Oar"- a recognized staple of audience/ pit participation, with the crowd down on the ground, usually all of them, pretending as one to be rowing the mighty Viking ships of lore, preparing to land as one.
Usually, that's the case.
But that Tinley Park pit man....unfortunate how tiny it was square footage wise, let alone the pit crowd not having enough room to organize and get their shit together to accomplish this as one.
Like it went over their heads on what the fuck was going on.
I praise Johan Hegg for attempting to give it a go- still, the definition of awkward, both pit size and crowd.
Still, the band, full force tight knit Viking Metal, polished and true to their spirit and vibe.

Bobby Talamoine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Amon Amarth, Pantera, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Tinley Park, JBTV Music Television, Jerry Bryant, Live Music, Summer 2025

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THE JBTV BLOG

Live Review: "The Heaviest Tour of the Summer '25" Pantera with Amon Amarth

Amon Amarth, Pantera, Bobby Talamine, Fiza Javid, Tinley Park, JBTV Music Television, Jerry Bryant, Live Music, Summer 2025

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