10 More Hugely Outspoken Men In Rock And Metal Music

Few bands in metal music possess a more divisive legacy than Pantera, who always seem one final allegation or PR disaster away from disappearing into cancelled obscurity. The frontman for the disbanded metal group, Phil Anselmo, clearly has no interest in reducing the chances of this happening, as he regularly rolls out highly controversial and even overtly racist remarks.

Pantera were criticised throughout their career for using the confederate flag as part of their live show, but Anselmo went way too far in 2016. During a live music event which was celebrating the life of murdered Pantera guitarist, Dimebag Darrell, Anselmo took to the stage throwing Nazi salutes and shouting "white power", shocking all in attendance.

The video quickly went viral online, but Anselmo initially refused to apologise, issuing the following statement:

"I was joking, and the 'inside joke of the night' was because we were drinking f*cking white wine. Some of y'all need to thicken up your skin. There's plenty of f*ckers to pick on with a more realistic agenda. I f*cking love everyone, I f*cking loathe everyone, and that's that. No apologies from me."

Less than a week later though, Anselmo did apologise and urged fans to "move forward" in an interview with Rolling Stone.

Digging the hole deeper at a 1995 Pantera show in Montreal, Anselmo gave a speech on rap "p*ssing all over white culture" and concluded by saying "tonight is a white thing." He has also refused to condemn Pantera fans who shout "white power" at shows, responding with:

"I ain't them kids, and them kids are going to yell what they’re going to yell anyway."

However, Phil Anselmo has always insisted that he, and Pantera as a whole, are not racist.