Derek Engemann, bandmate of Philip Anselmo in the extreme metal group Scour, has shared insights about Anselmo’s infamous racist gesture at the 2016 ‘Dimebash’ event in an interview with John The Ninja. He was present at the tribute concert for late Pantera guitarist ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott and offered firsthand context about the controversial moment.
“Yeah, that was an unfortunate event, to say the least. [Scour’s] John Jarvis and I were actually there at the ‘Dimebash’ that night,” Engemann said. “We were backstage hanging out and drinking. There was a lot of drinking involved. It is what it was back then. But a lot of people don’t really realize what happened.”
“So, they jammed all night for Dime, bringing out supergroups of [different] people. Rex [Brown, Pantera bassist] was there; all kinds of people were there. And Phil came out at the end for three songs,” he continued, describing the event’s atmosphere.
“I think they did [a cover of a] Motörhead [song], they did [Pantera’s] ‘A New Level’, I think, and something else. The second [Phil] came out on stage, there was a group of these three guys that were just — they were just heckling him from the second he walked out on stage, like, ‘You racist. You f*cking racist,’ blah, blah, blah,” Engemann explained. ‘And everyone’s, like, ‘Yo, shut the f*ck up. We’re trying to enjoy Pantera. This is for Dime. This isn’t about your bullsh*t.”
“And they just kept on heckling him the entire time he was out. And at the end, he just lost it. And he was a little drunk and he did the most offensive thing he could to those people. And they were there with their camera,” he added.
“It wasn’t like he had pure hate in his heart, and he’s, like, ‘This is what I’m gonna say tonight. I’m gonna make a statement.’ It was, like, these motherf*ckers were heckling him all night long, and he just threw gas on the fire. And it was super unfortunate. I know he feels terrible about it. [It was] probably a little embarrassing, I’m sure,” Engemann concluded.
The incident created widespread controversy in the metal community. Its consequences continue to impact Anselmo’s career today.
Initial Response And Controversy
Decibel Magazine reported that Anselmo tried to minimize the incident. He claimed it was a joke about drinking white wine backstage. This explanation met with significant skepticism from fans and industry figures alike.
The response drew intense criticism. Loudwire documented how many viewed his explanation as inadequate given the situation’s severity.
Impact On Musical Projects
Chaoszine detailed the controversy’s immediate effects on Anselmo’s musical ventures. The incident caused delays in Scour’s planned releases and performances.
The fallout extended beyond immediate reactions. Multiple bands associated with Anselmo experienced disruptions in their scheduling and promotional activities.
Long-Term Consequences
Metal Injection has tracked the controversy’s ongoing impact. Several festivals have canceled Pantera performances due to the incident.
These repercussions demonstrate the incident’s lasting effect. Both Anselmo’s reputation and his band’s activities in the metal community continue to face scrutiny.
