Metal band Pantera have rescheduled two shows and cancelled three more in response to the recent passing of Black Sabbath frontman and metal legend Ozzy Osbourne.
Texan powerhouse Pantera are currently undertaking their Summer US tour, which they’ve branded “The heaviest tour of the summer.” This follows four huge shows they played in Europe as part of Metallica’s European tour.
However, in reaction to Ozzy Osbourne’s passing, the band has decided to immediately stop a few of their shows to process the “difficult time.” Osbourne passed on July 22nd, just over two weeks after the Back to the Beginning farewell show on July 5th, where he raised almost $200 million for charity. Pantera were included in this farewell show.
The band made the announcement on social media, linking to a statement on their official website. They began, “Ozzy wasn’t just a legend who shaped the very foundation of heavy metal and inspired Pantera from the beginning — he was family. A mentor, a brother, and a constant presence in our lives both on and off the stage. The bond we shared with him ran far deeper than music.”
They then referenced his passing as a “profound loss,” noting that they now need time and space to grieve, to “be with our families, our crew, and each other as we process and honor the life of someone who meant so much to us.”
They will reschedule their show in New York on July 28th, which will go ahead on September 9th. They will also reschedule their show in New Jersey, which was initially billed for July 31st, but will now take place on September 8th.
Consequently, the band will cancel their Gilford show on July 29th, and their September 8th and 10th shows initially billed for Birmingham and Virginia Beach respectively.
Osbourne’s cause of death is yet to be revealed. However, locals in Buckinghamshire have since confirmed to the Mail Online that an air ambulance arrived at his residence at around 10:15am on July 22nd.
