THE BEAST

Pantera's announcement of Power Trip as the opener for their 2025 European tour has sparked intense backlash among Power Trip fans, with many citing past comments made by late vocalist Riley Gale about Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo as the root of their outrage.

Riley Gale, who passed away in 2020, had expressed discomfort with Anselmo’s controversial behavior, particularly regarding a 2016 incident at Dimebash where Anselmo was filmed shouting "white power" and performing a Nazi salute, which he later attempted to pass off as a joke. Gale’s strong opinions on the matter surfaced in multiple interviews, leading fans to question the decision to have Power Trip support Pantera on tour.

In a 2017 interview with the Toilet Ov Hell podcast, Gale revealed that Power Trip had already turned down a tour offer from Anselmo's other project, Superjoint Ritual, citing his discomfort with the incident and the perception of Anselmo’s fanbase. "We didn’t need the tour, as cool as it would have been," Gale explained. He added that the decision was based on a desire to avoid being associated with a scene or ideology they didn’t align with. Gale was also wary of the possibility of being forced to defend Anselmo's behavior while on tour, calling it "something that made us too uncomfortable."

A year later, Gale reiterated his stance during an interview with the Chicago Tribune, stating bluntly, "I didn’t want to be in the position of defending that. It’s down to what kind of band we want to be associated with."

Fans, still deeply loyal to Gale's principles, are now voicing their frustration over Power Trip’s participation in Pantera’s tour. Many feel it goes against everything the band once stood for under Gale’s leadership. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments from upset fans, some calling for Power Trip to withdraw from the tour.

Since Gale’s passing, Power Trip has continued with Fugitive vocalist Seth Gilmore at the helm as of 2023, and the band has yet to issue a public response to the fan outrage. Whether or not they will address the controversy surrounding their involvement with Pantera remains unclear.

As Power Trip embarks on a new chapter without Gale, they are now faced with navigating the tension between honoring their legacy and continuing to tour on their terms. For many fans, the band’s connection to Anselmo and Pantera is a stark departure from the values that once defined them. Whether this controversy will affect Power Trip’s upcoming performances or change their future plans remains to be seen.