PANTERA
w/ Amon Amarth, King Parrot
8/6/25 – American Family Insurance Amphitheater – Milwaukee, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
Once again, the American Family Insurance Amphitheater played host to Pantera and their Heaviest Tour of the Summer. The fanfare was at a fever pitch—fans lined up well before the gates opened. When they finally did, a wave of people rushed toward the next set of gates, while others hung out in the massive courtyard, enjoying the open beer garden and food vendors. The mood was electric—you’d think it was the weekend, not a Wednesday.
As the secondary gates opened, fans with floor seats sprinted up the ramp and into the amphitheater. Inside, the venue features three tiers: two with seating and a grassy hill at the very top. It filled up quickly, and the crowd’s roar rose to match. Meanwhile, out on the concourses, food and beverage stands were busy, but the merchandise booths were absolutely packed. Fans lined up for shirts, hoodies, posters, vinyl, and trinkets—everything you’d expect at a heavy metal show.
Openers King Parrot, an Australian grindcore act signed to Philip Anselmo’s Housecore Records, set the tone for the night. This past June, they dropped a new album titled A Young Person’s Guide to King Parrot. Bursting onto the stage, they launched straight into the heavy and didn’t let up. Matthew Young’s vocals cut through like a hot knife through butter—whether guttural growls or screeching screams, he was locked in. King Parrot embodied everything extreme metal mixed with hardcore and grind should be.
Check out the King Parrot concert photo gallery below:
Despite their short set, they managed to blast through eight tracks, including singles like “Shit on a Live,” “Home is Where the Gutter Is,” and “Fuck You and the Horse You Rode In On.” It’s safe to say they easily won the crowd over.
The melodic death metal giants Amon Amarth set sail once again, crossing oceans to stand tall among metal gods. With twelve albums of Viking lore and mythology under their belt, fans weren’t just getting a concert—they were getting a brutal history lesson, complete with melted faces.
After King Parrot’s wild opening set, Amon Amarth stormed the stage like true metal warriors. They kicked things off with “Guardians of Asgaard,” and the crowd was fired up from the first note. Flames, lights, and pure Viking energy filled the amphitheater. Johan Hegg’s growls were spot-on, and the band sounded tight and heavier than Nordic steel.
Check out the Amon Amarth concert photo gallery below:
With “Deceiver of the Gods,” the set took a darker turn, then came a fun surprise—“Put Your Back Into the Oar”—where fans actually sat down and pretended to row like Viking raiders. It was chaotic and awesome. This is also a signature of every Amon Amarth performance. Next came “We Rule the Waves” and “The Way of Vikings” kept things heavy, before “Raise Your Horns” brought the whole crowd together. Everyone had a drink in the air, singing loud like it was a battle cry.
They closed with “Twilight of the Thunder God,” a powerful, fiery finale that shook the entire venue. Amon Amarth didn’t just play music—they delivered a full Viking experience, worthy of an entrance to Valhalla. With a giant Viking helmet as the drum riser and massive inflatable warriors on stage, the visuals were everything fans could hope for. Amon Amarth are, without a doubt, one of the must-see acts touring the world today.
The moment everyone had waited for arrived in grand fashion. A massive curtain draped over the front of the stage, and on the large video boards, a montage of past footage played. The love for the Abbott brothers was alive and well. Then, with a bang, the curtain dropped and Pantera tore into “Hellbound.”
This run of shows features a fresh setlist, including songs from Reinventing the Steel. With a blazing light display and pyro erupting across the back of the stage, it was clear: Pantera are back at full force.
Songs like “5 Minutes Alone,” “Mouth for War,” and “I’m Broken” had the crowd roaring, with the pit erupting into chaos. These staples of Pantera’s earlier catalog still carried the same fire and intensity that first captivated fans. Hearing these tracks live in their raw, natural form was breathtaking. Frontman Phil Anselmo knew it, too—consistently engaging the crowd and speaking candidly between songs.
Armed with a Dimebag Darrell-inspired Wylde Audio Warhammer, Zakk Wylde electrified the crowd as his fingers danced across the frets during “Goddamn Electric.” The energy only ramped up with the legendary “Becoming”—its signature wah-pedal punches were executed to perfection. Those riffs, etched in metal lore, were honored note for note, with Wylde adding just the right touch of his own flair.
A surprise highlight came with the emotional weight of the deeper cut “10’s.” Its slow build marked a perfect mid-show transition into “I’ll Cast a Shadow.” The crowd’s eruption was deafening. These lesser-played tracks slid seamlessly into the set, amplifying the energy before a short encore break.
Before exiting the stage, Pantera dropped “This Love,” and as the intro to “Cowboys From Hell” kicked in, Anselmo took a moment to thank the crowd and every band on the bill. Then, with a string bend and a thunderous bass kick, they exploded into the song. The opening scream alone triggered a massive circle pit—bodies spinning, fists raised, metal horns everywhere.
After a brief break, the encore began with an Ozzy tribute chant that led into “A New Level,” symbolizing Pantera’s respect for metal’s roots while continuing to carve their own brutal path. The band’s genuine love for the Godfather of Metal was heartfelt.
As the band launched into the final stretch of monster hits, Anselmo started talking about the ‘90s, then caught himself. Looking at the crowd, he joked:
“All of that, kids are—” (then mimicked a whining child) “We’ve heard the story, Phil!”
He laughed and fired back:
“If you know the fucking story, let us get on with business. You’re about to get something nebulized, and one riff is gonna do it. Check this out.”
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 30 years, you knew exactly what was coming: “Walk.” The moment those string bends hit, the already frenzied Milwaukee crowd lost it. Members and crew from the tour stormed the stage, screaming “WALK!” at every opportunity, surrounding Wylde as he shredded the ending. The moment hit epic proportions—only to segue straight into founding member Rex Brown’s rumbling bassline for the “Domination/Hollow” mashup. Charlie Benante brought absolute precision on drums, locking in with Brown. He was the pace-setter, the glue—never missing a beat.
Before the final song of the night, Phil asked the crowd if they’d ever seen the Pantera Home Videos—specifically the first one. He referenced a kid who once ran on stage, then invited out his nephew, Jack, and a young fan named Pip. Handing Jack the mic (he couldn’t have been older than ten), the kid screamed:
“Fucking Hostile!”
Anselmo smirked and mouthed “sorry” to the crowd—then boom. Pantera blasted into the aggressive beast of a closer. The crowd roared every word with full force and spirit. You couldn’t have scripted a better ending.
Check out the Pantera concert photo gallery below:
Pantera’s fanbase now spans generations—and it’s not slowing down. With a phenomenal live show, spot-on sound engineering, and pure heart, the sky’s the limit. This tour isn’t just a tribute to the Abbott brothers—it’s a reaffirmation of the band’s legacy. And the devoted fans of Milwaukee and Wisconsin will no doubt be there every step of the way.
