Phil Anselmo: "You Bet Your Ass" Metallica Fans Support Down

Guitar World recently had the chance to catch up with ex-Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo while his current band, Down, is on tour supporting Metallica. Down, also featuring guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, have been touring behind their latest release, Down III.

Never one to mince words, here's what Anselmo had to say about the challenge of opening for the biggest metal band in the world.

GUITAR WORLD How you holding up?
ANSELMO Oh, I’m a little tired, man. We did two in a row with Metallica last night. Other than that, I’m doing great.

Where are you?
I’m in Milwaukee and I ain’t gonna lie, it’s a little chilly.

How’s the tour going?
Very interesting. It’s one of those different type of tours because of the stage setup: a big circular stage. It’s kind of fucking crazier, more like a horseshoe-ring stage. It’s a different experience working two sides of the room, if not six different sections. It’s really tough, because I’m used to [playing] head-on on an old-school style stage.But it’s something that grows on you. You begin to deal with the circular stage. And I guess by about the third show is when we had our best show up to that point. But, you know... Other than that, shit, it’s been awesome. The crowds have been really, really fucking super receptive.

So the Metallica legions are into Down?

You bet your ass.