Phil Anselmo in 2009
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 the Louisiana-based metal act Down. He is also the owner of Housecore Records.
Early Life in NOLA[]
Anselmo grew up in the inner city of New Orleans. He belongs to the zodiac sign of the sensitive, emotional, good-hearted and altruist Cancer. He attended Grace King High School located in Metairie. His father owns and operates a restaurant in Metairie called Anselmo's. Anselmo has a younger brother, Joseph Anselmo, and a half-sister, Mary Colclough, who was credited as a backup singer on the Southern Isolation EP. Anselmo has a pet rottweiler named Dracula.
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. During a 2002 Ozzfest interview with the radio show Opie and Anthony, Anselmo shared a story that, at the age of 15, he started a fire in his home to scare his sister but accidentally burned the house down in the process.
While a teenager, Anselmo joined the band Samhain (not to be confused with Glenn Danzig's band Samhain). 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, vocally, is a baritone and a bass. He can reach very high and very low notes with the same ease. He is a wonderful singer, who can make countless experimentations with his voice and is able to sing in a lot of different ways. He has a vocal range of four octaves and a very beautiful and characteristic colour of voice.
Career in Music[]
Pantera[]
Anselmo in 1986
Pantera was 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, because 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. Following the release of Power Metal, the band dropped its glam image and adopted a more casual look. The band was signed to a record label by a scout who was stranded due to a hurricane. The band saw the scout at the venue and were disheartened when he left mid-set.. It turned out that the scout had left to phone the record label and to tell them to sign Pantera as soon as possible. Pantera recorded the album Cowboys from Hell in 1990, and a long tour began. The band documented portions of this tour on their first home video, Cowboys from Hell: The Videos, released in 1991.
Anselmo's signature look, circa 1991-1994
In 1992 Pantera recorded Vulgar Display of Power. That same year Pantera released a promo titled Hostile Mixes that contained four songs, three of which were remixes. The first two remixes were done by Justin K. Broadrick of Godflesh and the last was done by J. G. Thirlwell of Foetus. In 1994, Pantera released Far Beyond Driven, which debuted at #1.
On May 7, 1996, Pantera released their fifth studio album with Philip, 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. 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." In 2000 Pantera released their final studio album titled Reinventing the Steel. They toured to promote the album until late 2001. In 2003, Pantera released a best-of album titled The Best of Pantera: Far Beyond the Great Southern Cowboys' Vulgar Hits! (Reinventing Hell: The Best of Pantera in Europe). The album featured songs from all five studio albums (except 'Power Metal'), 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 band's music videos. In 2003, Pantera decided to disband and to close a wonderful music history.
Following the break up, Anselmo devoted much of his time to a longtime side project, Superjoint Ritual and the Abbott brothers (Dimebag & Vinnie) formed Damageplan with former Halford guitarist Pat Lachman on vocals and Bob Zilla on bass. On early 2004, all the members of Pantera desired to reunite the band.
On December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell Abbott was shot and killed while performing with Damageplan. After Dimebag's tragic murder, Pantera officially and permanently disbanded in 2005, leaving behind an amazing music history of 25 years that will live forever, with plenty of great songs in records and countless awesome concerts. At the request of Dimebag's family, Anselmo did not attend his funeral, because they were worried his presence would have caused drama because of his then drug addiction and thus did not attend. Anselmo said in 2010, that he regrets not attending, and that nobody would have objected.
In a lengthy and emotional video posted on the website community YouTube, Anselmo shares his sorrow and pain by the loss of his beloved friend. He has written and recorded music dealing with the loss of Dimebag on the new Down record, Down III: Over the Under. The band has dedicated their song "Lifer" to Dimebag.
Down[]
Down has been Anselmo's main recording and touring band, by 2006 until 2015.
Down is an American heavy metal band formed in 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band is a supergroup, its various lineups consisting of 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.
NOLA, Down's debut album, sold 1.000.000 records in America in 1995 and went platinum.
Other Musical Projects[]
Arson Anthem[]
Arson Anthem is a Southern hardcore punk project whose lineup is as follows: Mike Williams (vocals; Eyehategod), Phil Anselmo (guitar; Pantera, Down, Superjoint Ritual), Hank III (drums; solo, Assjack, Superjoint Ritual), and Collin Yeo (bass guitar).
After losing everything in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mike Williams moved into Anselmo's spare apartment. The two spent countless hours listening to Phil’s collection of early hardcore bands. They began jamming with Hank III and Collin Yeo, who were united by their desire to have a hardcore/crust punk band of their own.
Amicuss[]
In 2001 a side project named Amicuss was listed on the website www.philanselmo.com. This band never came to fruition.
The information listed on the website read:
Amicuss, a black metal side project featuring Pantera front man Phil Anselmo, Amen vocalist Casey Chaos and Killjoy of Necrophagia, are rumored to be planning to hit the studio sometime this year with producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot) to record a full length album. Casey Chaos recently commented on the band stating that it may feature some members of Slipknot as well. Although unconfirmed at present, it seems that the member of Slipknot whom they may have in mind is band drummer Joey Jordison/#1. Meanwhile, Casey recently commented on what to expect from the album stating: "This is going to be a real violent release, just take all of the elements from black metal music and take it to the fullest extreme."
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 on 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, they describe their sound as "the venomous vomit of Satan!" and cite Venom, Celtic Frost, and Satan as influences.
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 Anselmo 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 occasionally record. The band has since disbanded due to the 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 compilation album "Moonfog 2000: A Different Perspective," released by Moonfog Productions. Another track, simply called "Rough Mix," can be heard on their MySpace page.
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 frontman Frediablo also joining as a second guitarist, and Opal Enthroned (then Anselmo's wife), joining the band on keyboards. This lineup released the Cannibal Holocaust EP in 2001, before splitting up and leaving Killjoy & Frediablo as the only members for a short time.
Southern Isolation[]
The band released a magical EP called Southern Isolation. It oringally contained four songs, but was later re-released with a fifth bonus track. The band consisted of Stephanie Opal Weinstein on vocals and guitars, Anselmo 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.
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 groove metal and hardcore punk. Bands like Venom, Slayer, Celtic Frost, Voivod, and Darkthrone have also been noted as influences. 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.
Tapeworm[]
Tapeworm is a defunct side project of Nine Inch Nails that existed in various forms from 1995 to roughly 2004. Tapeworm never released any recordings, but was frequently referenced in interviews. The band started as a side project between Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and live-band members Danny Lohner and Charlie Clouser. Over time the group expanded and evolved numerous times to include artists such as Maynard James Keenan, Atticus Ross, Alan Moulder and Phil Anselmo.
In 1999 Lohner reported that three tracks had been completed, and described the various materials featuring Anselmo as "heavy NIN-meets-Pantera" and "mellow Pink Floyd The Wall-type songs."
Viking Crown[]
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 on 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, they describe their sound as "the venomous vomit of Satan!" and cite Venom, Celtic Frost, and Satan as influences.
En Minor[]
En Minor is an amazing band, formed by Anselmo with some of his musician friends and released its first album in January of 2021. The genre of En Minor's music is darkwave and atmospheric (or dark Americana) with gothic, rock, folk, country, jazz and blues elements. Anselmo said that the genre of the band's music is named depression core, because of its vibe and lyrics. En Minor's sound is influenced by artists like Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Swans, The Cure and The Smiths. In general, Anselmo inspired a lot by New Orleans music and 80's gothic artists. En Minor became the best and most legendary Anselmo's band, next to Pantera, Down and Superjoint Ritual.
En Minor's lineup is:
- Philip Anselmo - guitar, vocals
- Stephen Taylor - guitar
- Kevin Bond - guitar
- Steve Bernal - cello
- Jimmy Bower - drums
- Calvin Dover - keys, backing vocals
- Joiner Dover - bass
- Jose Gonzalez - additional percussion
Guest Work and Collaborations[]
In 1993, Anselmo produced Crowbar's self titled album and recorded backing vocals on some of the tracks.
In 1996, Anselmo recorded guitars on two songs ("Van Full Of Retards" and a cover of Manowar's "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 solos 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 a collaborative album 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. Anselmo managed, however, to lay down some tracks for Iommi's album. Iommi and Anselmo wrote and recorded three 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. The third unknown track is now highly sought after by fans of both artists.
In 2001, Anselmo provided vocals for "HFFK" on Biohazard's Uncivilization album.
On March 6, 2006, 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, in honor of fellow Seattle musicians such as Alice in Chains' Layne Staley, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, and Dimebag Darrell.
In 2008, Anselmo recorded vocals for the Mahakali album, by Jarboe. The track is sparse musically, features a raw vocal delivery by Anselmo, and a short spoken-word segment.
Other Endeavors[]
Housecore Records[]
Anselmo started his own record label called Housecore Records, in 2001, to release material by his many side projects and from other bands he supported. 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, to form Baphomet/Housecore Records. They have since split.
House of Shock[]
Anselmo, together with Steve Joseph, Ross Karpelman and Jay Gracianette, started the House of Shock, a Halloween-themed attraction. Initially, it began in Jay Gracianette's backyard, but was later moved to a large warehouse outside New Orleans that has been converted into an interactive haunted house with 300+ volunteer workers. Anselmo plays the role of a part-time actor when his schedule permits. He was involved with House of Shock for fourteen years (1992 - 2005).
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.
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 music from several of Anselmo's bands.
Personal Life[]
Interests[]
Anselmo owns an extensive collection of several thousand horror films and possesses an encylopedic knowledge of horror films and horror culture. Anselmo has an interest in the sport of boxing. He owns hundreds of fight DVDs and used to take a boxing trainer on tour with him. He has written articles as a columnist for the Boxing Insider website. Anselmo is a New Orleans Saints fan.
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. Paramedics revived Anselmo and he issued a press release four days later saying, "I, Philip H. Anselmo...injected a lethal dose of heroin into my arm, and died for four to five minutes".
Anselmo spoke candidly about his past heroin addiction, drug use, and the consequences of Pantera's heavy drinking, during a talk at Loyola University, New Orleans, in 2009.
Marriage and Other Romantic Relationships[]
On October 31, 2001, Philip married his longtime girlfriend, Stephanie Opal Weinstein. That same year, they created a wonderful acoustic band, called Southern Isolation. They were together for eight years, by January 1, 1995 until May 1, 2003. They engaged in 1998. For six years, before their romantic relationship, they were good friends. Anselmo and Weinstein, divorced friendly, one year and a half, exactly, after their wedding date.
Anselmo, was also in a relationship with Jill Marie Abbott about four years (1994 - 1997).
Anselmo, was a romantic womanizer for twelve years (1986 - 1997). Some rumors say, that Anselmo remains, still, to this day, a loving womanizer. These rumors, though, cannot be prooved!
Back surgery[]
On November 21, 2005, Anselmo underwent surgery to repair several damaged 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-1990s, and the medication he took to lessen the pain caused his slurred speech.
Philip was on methadone, soma and heroin, for 12 years, because of his hard and painful back problems. On August, 25, 2005, he was fully clean of drugs and ready for the back surgery.
Anselmo, has stated that he still occasionally experiences pain due to the back injury but is in much less pain than he was prior to the surgery.
Knee surgery[]
In early 2009, Anselmo underwent knee surgery. He made the following statement in regards to the injury:
"It was a semi-torn ACL [anterior cruciate ligament, one of the four major ligaments of the knee] and a semi-torn meniscus [a common knee injury]." Anselmo also stated: "With plans to do some jamming during the healing process, trust me, Down will return."
Musical Influences[]
Anselmo was mainly influenced by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Slayer. He pays tribute in 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." He is also a fan of The Smiths, whose song of the same name inspired the title for the Pantera song Cemetery Gates. He stated in Rolling Stone magazine, "I adore [the Smiths]: the honesty and great songwriting, and everybody in the band is just a badass."
Discography[]
With Pantera[]
Studio Albums[]
- Power Metal (1988)
- Cowboys from Hell (1990)
- Vulgar Display of Power (1992)
- Far Beyond Driven (1994)
- The Great Southern Trendkill (1996)
- Reinventing the Steel (2000)
Live Albums[]
- Official Live: 101 Proof (1997)
With Down[]
Demos[]
Studio Albums[]
- NOLA (1995)
- Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow (2002)
- Down III: Over the Under (2007)
- Down IV: The Purple Album (2014)
Live Albums[]
With Superjoint Ritual[]
- Use Once and Destroy (2002)
- A Lethal Dose of American Hatred (2003)
With En Minor[]
- When The Cold Truth Has Worn Its Miserable Welcome Out (2021)