Pantera singer storms race with Nazi salute

The former frontman of influential heavy metal band Pantera made a Nazi salute and appeared to shout “White power!” onstage at a star-studded benefit concert in Los Angeles. A YouTube clip posted by a viewer shows singer Phil Anselmo raising his arm before seemingly making the offensive remark. Anselmo, who has not apologized for the insult, stood on a nearly empty stage at the end of a Jan. 22 concert raising money for cancer research. He had been playing Pantera covers with major stars including Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, known for his left-leaning politics, and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Anselmo defended himself in the comments section on YouTube, saying the gesture was an inside joke after the band members drank white wine. “Some of you should grow thicker skin,” he wrote, suggesting critics should instead focus on those with “a more realistic agenda.” “No apologies from me.” Yet many fans on social media voiced their outrage, calling Anselmo a racist, although some said they distinguished the singer from Pantera’s music. Pantera was one of the defining metal bands of the 1980s and 1990s, with a dark sound reminiscent of the genre’s pioneer Black Sabbath and lyrics full of anger and violence. The Texas-based band has long faced accusations of racism, with Anselmo known for provocative remarks on stage as well as drug problems. But last year Anselmo distanced himself from the Confederate flag that Pantera had incorporated into their art. Last week’s concert also featured a cover of Motorhead, whose frontman Lemmy died of cancer last month. The annual charity show is held in memory of Pantera guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, who was shot on stage in 2004 by an apparently possessed fan.