Already off to a flying start, the return of Pantera has been a hot target of attention and controversy. The band performed their first tour dates in 21 years in Mexico and South America. Many consider Zakk Wylde and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante have been considered by many to be the obvious choices to stand in for to fill Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul’s shoes in this tribute tour. Charlie Benante has gone on record to say new music under the Pantera banner is a possiblitiy. At the same time many others have said this is blasephemous to tour as “Pantera.” In a new interview with Reckless Rock Radio 89.3 KNON FM, transcribed by Blabbermouth.net, longtime producer, a guitar tech, and best friend to Dime and Vinny, Sterling Winfield suggested that Zakk was just one of many guitarists considered. Winfield, a stakeholder in Vinnie Paul’s estate has previously said this is a tribute. 

“There was no doubt in my mind that [Charlie Benante] would be the one to take over for Vinnie. [It was a] no-brainer — absolute no-brainer. Now, there were some other guitar folks that were brought up. I’ll just say this — that it would not have been a good fit, and quite honestly, they would not have been able to pull it off. But it always kept circling back around to Zakk. And after a couple of times, it was, like, again another no-brainer. Because he knew Dime better than most any other guitar player on the planet knew him. Is it gonna be Dimebag Darrell’s exact notes and riffs and everything? No. It’s Zakk Wylde, you idiots. It’s Zakk.” 

You can check out the full interview with Winfield in the clip below.