Phil Anselmo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Phil Anselmo | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Philip Hansen Anselmo |
| Also known as | Anton Crowley |
| Born | June 30, 1968 |
| Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Genre(s) | Heavy metal, southern metal, sludge metal, hardcore punk, black metal, death metal, groove metal, thrash metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, vocalist, songwriter, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, bass, drums |
| Voice type(s) | Baritone (D2-A5) |
| Years active | 1983-present |
| Label(s) | Housecore Records |
| Associated acts | Pantera Necrophagia Down Arson Anthem Viking Crown Southern Isolation Superjoint Ritual Christ Inversion Tapeworm Soilent Green |
| Website | www.philanselmo.com/ |
Philip Hansen "Phil" Anselmo (born June 30, 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana) is an American musician who is best known as the frontman for the heavy metal band Pantera. He is currently the frontman for heavy metal band Down. He is also the owner of Housecore Records.
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[edit] Early life
Anselmo grew up in the inner city of New Orleans. Currently his father is operating a restaurant in Metairie, LA called Anselmo's.[1] Anselmo has a younger brother, Jerry Anselmo. Jerry is currently residing in New Orleans and owns a venue named Jerry's. Anselmo also has a half-sister, Mary Colclough. She has been credited as a backup singer on the Southern Isolation EP.
Anselmo has said in various interviews that he was very quiet and secluded as a child. He spent some time working on fishing boats as a young man.[2] During a 2002 Ozzfest interview with radio show Opie and Anthony, Anselmo shared a story that, at the age of 14, he started a fire in his home to scare his sister but accidentally burned the house down in the process.[3]
Around the same time, Anselmo started/joined the band Samhain (not to be confused with Glenn Danzig's band of the same name). The name was inspired by Anselmo's love for horror films. From the early to mid 80s, Anselmo was a member of the band 'Razor White'. While they did have some original material, they mainly played Judas Priest covers. Anselmo gained general gig experience and a reputation as being a top frontman.
[edit] Pantera
[edit] Joining Pantera and Cowboys from Hell
Pantera were an unsigned glam metal band, with three self-released albums to their name. In 1986 it was decided by the band to replace singer Terrence Lee who was primarily a 'glam metal' singer as they were heading in a different direction musically. Seeking a new frontman to continue on this heavier path, the band was led to 19 year old Anselmo. In 1987 after several meetings, Anselmo was added to the Pantera lineup. The band were so impressed with Anselmo that they re-recorded some of Terrence Lee's vocals for their latest release. Anselmo relocated to Texas to record Power Metal which was released in 1988 on the band's own record label 'Metal Magic Records'. After the release of this album, the band dropped the glam image and went in just as themselves. The band were signed to a record label when a scout was stranded due to a hurricane. The band saw him at the venue and were disheartened when he left mid-set. It turned out that he had left the venue to phone the record label and to tell them to sign Pantera as soon as possible. The album Cowboys from Hell was recorded by Pantera in 1990 and a long tour began. Some of this tour was documented on the band's first home-video, Cowboys from Hell: The Videos released in 1991.
[edit] Vulgar Display of Power
In 1992 Pantera recorded Vulgar Display of Power. That same year Pantera released a promo titled Hostile Mixes which contained 4 songs, 3 of which were remixes. The first two were done by Justin K. Broadrick of Godflesh and the last was done by J. G. Thirlwell of Foetus.
[edit] Far Beyond Driven
In 1994 Pantera released Far Beyond Driven, which debuted at #1. In late June, Anselmo was charged with assault following an altercation with a security guard when fans were prevented from getting on stage. Anselmo was released on $5,000 bail the next day.[4][5][6] The trial was delayed three times.[7] In May 1995, he apologized in court and pleaded guilty to attempted assault and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service.[8][9]
[edit] The Great Southern Trendkill
In 1996 Pantera released their forth studio album titled The Great Southern Trendkill. Anselmo recorded the vocal tracks for this album in New Orleans while the other members of Pantera recorded in Texas.
[edit] Official Live: 101 Proof
In 1997 Pantera released their first and only official live album titled Official Live: 101 Proof. This album contained two new tracks, I Can't Hide and Where You Come From.
[edit] Reinventing the Steel
In 2000 Pantera released their final studio album titled Reinventing The Steel.
[edit] Best of Album
In 2003 Pantera released a best Album titled The Best of Pantera: Far Beyond the Great Southern Cowboys' Vulgar Hits! or Reinventing Hell: The Best of Pantera in Europe. The album featured songs from all 5 studio albums, also including three cover tracks, Planet Caravan and Hole In The Sky written by Black Sabbath and Cat Scratch Fever written by Ted Nugent. A bonus DVD was also made, containing all the bands music videos. After much speculation, later that year Pantera was disbanded as Dimebag and Vinnie Paul claimed that Anselmo had abandoned the band and failed to communicate with them about the issue.
[edit] Dispute with the Abbott brothers
Shortly after Pantera went into hiatus, Anselmo devoted much of his time to a long-time side project, Superjoint Ritual. Having heard this, the Abbott brothers (Dimebag & Vinnie) formed Damageplan with former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals and Bob Zilla on bass. Some fans blame Anselmo for the disbandment of Pantera, because of statements in the heavy metal press. Phil himself has stated that some journalists publish what they think sells magazines best. Also, the Abbotts publicly called Superjoint Ritual "Superarmdope Ritual." Pantera bassist Rex Brown, widely known as being the one neutral voice in the matter, blaming both sides for the split.
After Vinnie Paul slammed 'Superjoint Ritual', saying Anselmo couldn't even keep his eyes open, Anselmo replied: "I just hear a big and sad yellowbelly crybaby fuckin' knowing that his meal ticket is in a different fuckin' band, and... [long pause] You would have to know those guys to really understand where I was coming from, they're scared of their own fuckin' shadows. And, all that said, I wish them the best of fuckin' luck, I still love 'em."[10] Anselmo had engaged in a war of words with Abbott since the fall of Pantera, culminating in the statement "Dimebag deserves to be beaten severely " in the December 2004 edition of the UK's Metal Hammer magazine. Initially, he denied making the statement, but later changed his story in a VH1 Behind The Music special on Pantera, claiming that the comment had been light-hearted and made after the interview was finished. However, Vinnie Paul told the press that he had heard the audio files of the interview and that Anselmo had not been coerced by the Metal Hammer journalist into making the statement, and nor had he been misquoted.[citation needed]
[edit] The death of "Dimebag" Darrell
In December 2004, ex-Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was shot and killed while performing with Damage Plan. Anselmo travelled to Texas to attend the funeral of his former band-mate but was turned away by the Abbott family.[11].
In a lengthy, and emotional video posted to the website community YouTube, Anselmo describes his regret over previous behavior,[12] and has written and recorded music dealing with the loss of Dimebag on the new Down record, Down III: Over the Under. On the new Down tour, the band has dedicated the song "Lifer" to Dime.
[edit] Side Projects
[edit] Down
Down is an American heavy metal band formed in 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band is a supergroup, comprising members and former members of Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar, Eyehategod and Kingdom of Sorrow.
Since its inception, Down has released three studio albums and has gone on hiatus twice to focus on the members' respective bands.
[edit] Superjoint Ritual
Superjoint Ritual was a New Orleans metal band formed by Anselmo, Joe Fazzio, and Jimmy Bower in the early 1990s, later to be joined by Hank Williams III, and Kevin Bond. Their style can be considered a mix of Pantera's style of groove metal and hardcore punk. A small trace of black metal can be heard too. Bands like Venom, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Voivod, and Darkthrone have been noted as influences also. The name Superjoint Ritual comes from a lyric in the Darkthrone song, "The Pagan Winter." According to Bower, Anselmo wrote 70-80% of the group's music.
[edit] Viking Crown
Viking Crown was a side project started by Anselmo in the mid 90's. The members of the band are Anton Crowley (Anselmo) on Guitars, Bass and Drums, Killjoy on vocals and Opal Enthroned (Stephanie Opal Weinstein) on keyboards.
[edit] Christ Inversion
Christ Inversion was formed in 1994, the group was a short lived blackened death metal project formed by Anselmo. Most of their lyrics were based upon horror films and Satanism. The band recorded two demos and then disbanded without ever recording a full-length album. The first demo was renamed and re-released in 2004 by Funeral in Hell Records, the second demo is set for re-release on Anselmo's own Housecore Records in October 2008. On the band's MySpace profile the band describes their sound as "the venomous vomit of Satan!" and cites their influences as Venom, Celtic Frost, and Satan.
[edit] Eibon
The idea for Eibon was conceived in the summer of 1998, when Maniac (Of Mayhem) and Killjoy (Of Necrophagia) decided they wanted to work together. Soon after Fenriz (Of Darkthrone), Satyr (Of Satyricon), and Philip joined and the nucleus of the band was formed. Their MySpace page lists their influences as Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Slayer, and Possessed. Maniac soon left to focus on Mayhem but the others continued to record on and off for a while. The band have since disbanded due to tour schedules of their Primary bands. Their unfinished album has been dubbed by fans as "Eibon - The greatest black metal album never released". In 2000 one complete track titled 'Mirror Soul Jesus' was released on the 'Moonfog 2000: A different perspective' compilation album. Another track simply called 'Rough Mix' can be heard on their MySpace page.
[edit] Necrophagia
Necrophagia was a death metal band formed in 1983 that went in to hiatus in 1987. In 1997 frontman Killjoy reformed the band with then Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo (under the pseudonym Anton Crowley) on guitars, Wayne Fabra on drums and Dustin Havnen on bass. This lineup released the album Holocausto de la Morte and the EP Black Blood Vomitorium. Havnen was then replaced by Jared Faulk, with Gorelord mainman Frediablo also joining as a second guitarist and Opal Enthroned (then Anselmo's wife) joining the band on keyboards. This line up released the Cannibal Holocaust EP in 2001 before splitting up leaving Killjoy & Frediablo as the only members for a short time.
[edit] Southern Isolation
The band released one E.P. called Southern Isolation. It contained four songs to start with but was later re-released with a fifth bonus track. The band consisted of Stephanie Opal Weinstein on vocals and guitars, Philip on vocals, backing vocals and guitars, "Big" Ross Karpelman (Of Clearlight) on keyboards and Sid Montz (Of Crowbar) on drums.
One rare track called 'Faded' has been credited to Southern Isolation on the Manson Family Soundtrack which is due to be released on Anselmo's Housecore label.
[edit] Guest Appearances
In 1993, Anselmo produced Crowbar's self titled album and recorded backing vocals on some of the tracks.
In 1996 Anselmo recorded guitars on 2 songs ("Van Full Of Retards" and Manowar's cover "Gloves Of Metal") and contributed vocals/backing vocals on 18 songs for Anal Cunt's 40 More Reasons to Hate Us album.
In 1996 Anselmo recorded backing vocals for tracks on Crowbar's Broken Glass album.
Also in 1996, Anselmo provided vocals on Soilent Green's album Sewn Mouth Secrets. Although not credited he is given thanks in the liner notes.
In 1998 Anthrax released the album Volume 8: The Threat Is Real. Anselmo provided backing vocals on track 8 'Killing Box'. Also his Pantera bandmate Dimebag Darrell played guitar solo's on tracks 3 (Inside Out) and 7 (Born Again Idiot).
In 1998 Anselmo sang a duet (By The River) on Vision of Disorder's Imprint album.
In 2000 Tony Iommi released an album of collaborations with various well known vocalists. Initially Anselmo was going to co-create an entire album with Iommi but due to tour schedules it never happened. Philip did however manage to lay down some tracks for this album. Iommi and Philip wrote and recorded 3 tracks together, 'Time Is Mine', 'The Bastard' and a third unknown track. Iommi picked 'Time Is Mine' for the album. 'The Bastard' was never officially released but can be found online (YouTube for example). The third unknown track is now highly sought after by fans of both artists.[13]
In 2001 Anselmo provided vocals for "HFFK" on Biohazard's Uncivilization album.
On March 6, 2006 Phil Anselmo made an appearance along with Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist Duff McKagan and the surviving members of Alice in Chains at a VH1's Decades Rock Live concert, honoring fellow Seattle musicians Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart as well as Dimebag Darrell.
In 2008, Philip Anselmo recorded vocals for the Mahakali album by Jarboe. The track is sparse musically and features a raw, honest vocal delivery by Anselmo, as well as a short spoken word segment that Philip contributed of his own accord.
[edit] Further reading
[edit] Back surgery
On November 21 2005 Anselmo underwent surgery to repair damage to several disks in his lower back. The surgery was successful and after several months of recuperation and rehabilitation Anselmo returned to recording and touring.
According to Anselmo he had been suffering constant pain due to this injury dating back to the mid 1990's and has claimed that the medication taken to lessen the pain over these years caused his slurred speech.
Anselmo has stated that on occasion he still has pain due to the back injury but is in much less pain than he was prior to the surgery.
[edit] Housecore Records and Anton Crowley persona
Anselmo started his own record label called 'Housecore Records' to release his many side projects and material from other bands he supported.[14] Anselmo used the name Anton Crowley for many of these projects, it comes from 'Aleister Crowley' (British occultist) and 'Anton LaVey' (Founder and High Priest of the Church of Satan). For a time Housecore was merged with Baphomet Records owned by Philip's friend and ex bandmate Killjoy of Necrophagia forming Baphomet/Housecore Records. They have since split.[15]
[edit] Heroin overdose
On July 13, 1996, at the 'Coca-Cola Starplex' in Dallas Texas, Anselmo went into cardiac arrest due to a heroin overdose after a show.
"I, Philip H. Anselmo, immediately after a very successful show in Dallas injected a lethal dose of Heroin into my arm, and died for 4 to 5 minutes. There was no lights, no beautiful music, just nothing. And then after 20 minutes (from what I heard later) my friends slapped me and poured water over my head all basically trying to revive me. The paramedics finally arrived and all I remember is waking up in the back of an ambulance. From that point on I knew all I wanted was to be back on the tour bus, going to the next gig. Instead I was going to the hospital where I was released very shortly. You see, I'm not a heroin addict. But I am (was) an intravenous drug abuser. The lesson learned here is that every nightmare ever heard about O.D.ing, and or, heroin is terribly true. And for my friends and family as well as myself and our fans (Pantera, Down Etc.), I since then have recovered completely, the Pantera Tour uninterrupted. I intend to keep it that way! Special Thanks to my Family and Friends who supported me, and the fans who pump me up to the hilt. One message to everyone in this fucking world. I am not a weakling groping for sympathy. I WILL NOT DIE SO EASILY! I'm here to piss off the music press for a long time to come.[citation needed]
Very Sincerely, Philip Anselmo"
[edit] House of Shock
Anselmo and several associates decided to create something that little bit better than an average Halloween party. Together with Steve Joseph, Ross Karpelman and Jay Gracianette he started the House of Shock. Initially it began in Jay Gracianette's back yard but over time it has evolved and is now a world famous attraction. Around 5 minutes away from New Orleans, it consists of a very large warehouse that has been converted into an interactive haunted house with a 300+ member strong volunteer workforce. Anselmos plays the role of part time actor when his schedule permits.[16]
[edit] John Kaplan photo essay
Anselmo was featured in the John Kaplan photo essay, 21, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. The photographer documented the lifestyles of 21 year old Americans. Two pictures of Anselmo were included, one with a snake draped over his shoulders and the second as his head is being shaved to reveal a tattoo.
[edit] The Manson Family movie
Anselmo can be heard in the Jim Van Bebber movie The Manson Family as the voice of Satan. The soundtrack for this movie also contains pieces from several of Anselmos bands.
[edit] Marriage to Stephanie Weinstein
On the 31st of October (Halloween) 2001, Philip married his long time girlfriend Stephanie Opal Weinstein. That same year they created an acoustic band called Southern Isolation. Anselmo and Weinstein divorced in 2004. Later that year Weinstein auctioned off some items she was given by Philip over the years they were together.[17] The comment on Ebay for the items said, "To all of you who question my motives for putting items on eBay — RELAX — these are things that will mean more to you than me. I simply am keeping those possessions and memories that I wanted. There's nothing more to it. Thanks & enjoy!".
[edit] Influences
Anselmo is a hardcore punk and metal fan citing Black Sabbath, Venom, Judas Priest, Black Flag, Agnostic Front, Slayer, Discharge, Celtic Frost, Eyehategod, Morbid Angel, Darkthrone, Soilent Green, and Crowbar as major influences.[citation needed] Anselmo also pays tribute to two of his favorite bands in the lyrics of the Pantera song "Goddamn Electric", singing "your trust is in whiskey and weed and Black Sabbath"; in the second verse, the lyric is tweaked to "whiskey and weed and Slayer".
[edit] Discography and Filmography
[edit] References
- ^ "Philip's dad's restaurant". http://www.thebiofile.com/articles/stories/149799777.php. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
- ^ "Biofile quiz with Phil Anselmo". http://www.thebiofile.com/articles/stories/149799777.php. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
- ^ "Phil interview at ozzfest 2002 with Opie and Anthony". http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NRJg7KUb2II. Retrieved on 2008-06-18.
- ^ "DARIEN LAKE CONCERT FRAYS NERVES AGAIN BAND'S SINGER CHARGED WITH ASSAULT". Buffalo News. June 29, 1994. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/BN/lib00142,0EAF97EAAE9DA721.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "N.O. native, Pantera singer, arrested in guard's assault". The Advocate. October 26, 1994. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/AD/lib00241,0EB47798D28863CB.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "Pantera Singer Assault". Daily Herald. July 1, 1994. http://www.newspaperarchive.com/newspapers1/na0037/6769560/25628764.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "ROCK SINGER ASSAULT CASE ADJOURNED FOR THIRD TIME". Buffalo News. October 26, 1994. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/BN/lib00142,0EAF9825A7209AA9.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "The Scuttlebutt". Salt Lake Tribune. May 12, 1995. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/SLTB/lib00826,1010DE6F85D7B491.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "PANTERA SINGER CHANGES HIS TUNE". Grand Forks Herald. April 21, 1995. http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/GF/lib00128,0EB6EA90E5CEB00C.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "Ex-PANTERA Singer PHILIP ANSELMO: VINNIE PAUL Is A 'Crybaby'". Revolver Magazine. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=17500. Retrieved on 2009-06-15.
- ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=30395
- ^ YouTube - phil anselmo giving statement about the murder of dimebag
- ^ "Tony Iommi and Philip collaberate". http://cosmik.com/aa-june01/cosmik_conversations_6.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
- ^ "Philip's record label 'Housecore Records'". http://www.thehousecorerecords.com/news.aspx. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
- ^ "Housecore and Baphomet records end partnership". http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=2021. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
- ^ "Creation of The House Of Shock". http://www.houseofshock.com/about.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-09.
- ^ "PHILIP ANSELMO's Ex-Wife Auctioning PANTERA Memorabilia". http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=36142. Retrieved on 2008-06-18.
[edit] External links
- Phil Anselmo's official webpage
- Phil Anselmo's official MySpace page
- Underground Music scene in NOLA (New Orleans)
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