DevilDriver singer and Coal Chamber guitarist Dez Fafara has made a bold statement about the hierarchy of heavy metal frontmen. He places Pantera’s Phil Anselmo at the absolute top. In a recent appearance on the Garza Podcast, Fafara praised Anselmo’s unmatched talent and presence, declaring him superior to even the legendary Ozzy Osbourne.
“Phillip – for me – I would say is the top frontman in the world, period, end of story,” Fafara stated emphatically. “I love Ozzy, but I put him above Ozzy. That’s just cause…f*ck, I don’t know, man. Plus, he’ll beat your f*cking ass. He’s real. He’s a real f*cking deal – Holyfield.” The comparison to former boxer Evander Holyfield underscores Fafara’s assessment of Anselmo’s commanding and authentic presence both on and off stage.
Fafara’s admiration extends beyond Anselmo’s stage presence to his broader contributions to metal music. “He’s an amazing front man, amazing writer, and obviously one of the biggest bands in the world. Influenced everybody. I don’t think there’s anybody not influenced by Pantera. I wish I would have found him earlier, I would have got influenced vocally. But that just never happened,” Fafara reflected, acknowledging the pervasive impact Pantera has had on the metal community.
When Anselmo joined Pantera in 1987, he became the catalyst for the band’s transformation. The group evolved from a glam metal outfit into a groove metal powerhouse. His aggressive vocal style and commanding stage presence proved to be the missing ingredient that elevated Pantera from relative obscurity to international stardom. The 1990 release of “Cowboys from Hell” marked the beginning of a new era in metal, blending the fury of thrash metal with southern groove sensibilities in a way that had never been heard before.
Pantera went on to sell approximately 20 million records worldwide and earned four Grammy nominations. The band established themselves as one of the most successful and influential acts in heavy metal history. Pantera’s groove metal sound, pioneered with Anselmo at the helm, became the template that countless bands would follow. This made the frontman’s vocal and stylistic contributions foundational to modern metal.
Anselmo’s influence extended far beyond his work with Pantera. He continued to lead several significant musical projects throughout his career, including the southern metal supergroup Down, the hardcore band Superjoint, and his solo project Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals. Each project showcased different facets of his artistry while maintaining the intensity and authenticity that defined his approach to music.
The legacy of Phil Anselmo as a frontman rests on his technical abilities as a vocalist and his embodiment of metal’s raw authenticity. His early influences were drawn from acts like Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Slayer. These influences were synthesized into a unique vocal approach that became instantly recognizable and widely imitated. The combination of his theatrical stage presence, his songwriting prowess, and his genuine connection to the metal community created a template for frontman excellence. This template continues to influence musicians across the genre today.
