Philip Anselmo (born June 30, 1968) is a heavy metal vocalist and musician. Although he is best known for his work as a vocalist and lyricist with the now defunct Pantera, Phil has been involved with numerous other musical projects in the realm of heavy metal.

Biography

Anselmo replaced Terry Glaze as the vocalist for Pantera in 1987 and made his recording debut on 1988's Power Metal.

Pantera lost their glam sound and image for 1991's Cowboys from Hell, and Phil is insistent that CFH is Pantera's "actual debut".

While still fronting Pantera, Phil Anselmo joined forces with friends and fellow New Orleans musicians Pepper Keenan , Jimmy Bower, Kirk Windstein and Todd Strange to form Down. Down was more blues-inspired, stoner metal than Pantera. They released two albums, 'Nola' and 'Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow'.

Also while fronting Pantera, Phil formed Superjoint Ritual with Jimmy Bower, Kevin Bond, Joe Fazzio and Hank Williams III. Combining the raw aggression and punk-flavor of old-school hardcore with the negativity and craftsmanship of brutal New Orleans drug metal.

In 2002, Superjoint Ritual released 'Use Once And Destroy', and Phil left Pantera to focus on SJR full-time, while his Pantera band mates, Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul went on to form Damageplan. They then released 'A Lethal Dose Of American Hatred' in 2003.

After the horrific and violent murder of ex-Pantera bandmate Dimebag Darrell, Phil has become fairly reclusive and had hinted at retiring completely. That is until he officially released a statement describing the anguish of losing "a brother" and also mentioned that Pantera would have reunited eventually. Anselmo said he had considered retiring, but is instead taking a long hiatus.

Phil also featured as a guitarist in other death and black metal bands, such as Necrophagia, Christ Inversion and Viking Crown.

Discography (albums only)

All appearances are as a vocalist, unless mentioned otherwise.

• Power Metal (Pantera) (1988)
• Cowboys From Hell (Pantera) (1991)
• Vulgar Display of Power (Pantera) (1992)
• Far Beyond Driven (Pantera) (1994)
• Nola (Down) (1995)
• The Great Southern Trendkill (Pantera) (1996)
• Official Live: 101 Proof (Pantera) (1997)
• Unorthodox Steps of Ritual (Viking Crown Guitars, Bass, Drums) (1999)
• Reinventing the Steel (Pantera) (2000)
• Innocence From Hell (Viking Crown Guitars, Bass, Drums) (2000)
• Banished Rhythmic Hate (Viking Crown Guitars, Bass, Drums) (2001)
• Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow (Down) (2002)
• Use Once and Destroy (Superjoint Ritual) (2002)
• A Lethal Dose of American Hatred (Superjoint Ritual) (2003)

External Links

Phil's own words on the death of Dimebag