Guitarist Zakk Wylde is being accused of using backing tracks during the live performances with Pantera.
The Metal Den reported:
”During the band’s U.S. gig last night, guitarist Zakk Wylde looks suspicious with his back turned away a lot of the performance. Upon closer inspection, it seems he is fake playing with the assistance of pre-recorded backing track during the song “Becoming”, which features harmonic squeals throughout that seem to be entirely lifted from the studio album version played by slain guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott.”
A fan also commented on a YouTube video from a recent show the following:
“Zakk looks and sounds like he is not really playing. He is using pre-recorded tracks. You can totally tell by the harmonic squeal. That is Dime, not Zakk!”
25 comments
Zakk has done pinch harmonics perfectly for years. And he loves playing facing his speakers so blah blah blah. Next
Grady Dimes old Guitar Tech was doing the Whammy pedal side stage kinda like he use to run Dimes rig in the background lol duh! Next
That’s not how that part works. That whammy pitch shift or whatever is done by a guitar tech hitting a pedal offstage in time.
Here’s Scott Ian doing it for zakk earlier on this tour.
https://youtube.com/shorts/RU6YwLP8SdA?feature=share
100 percent facts was just gonna comment the same thing the tech is doing the squeal from the pedal.
The guitar tech operating the Digitech whammy pedal is exactly how Dime performed it live as well. Seen it five times live with Dimebag himself.
Pretty Obvious… But does it matter?
not really- he is playing that. Zack may struggle with stuff but not pinch harmonics– thats basically all he does. He walked back to his amp briefly was all whicih was likely to get a little feedback action going
Dimebag used backing tracks love. What do you think the beginning to cowboys is? Go look at the sheet music there are multiple guitarsl parts over lapping. That was dimebag utilizing another technic in his arsenal.
These “tools” don’t understand music. Some songs need a backing track,or a second guitarist🤷🏻👎 Zakk rules.
Intro tape. A totally different thing.
Not a harmonic. It’s a whammy pedal. always has been. And Dime didn’t actuate it live either, his tech did. Still Does. There’s video of it happening off stage. Theres a Youtube short of Scot Ian doing it for Zakk last year.
https://youtube.com/shorts/RU6YwLP8SdA?feature=share
a digitech whammy is being used side stage, it is a pitch shifting device used by the tech during this song so zakk doesnt have to use his feet.
I think Zakk’s hardworking ethic would prevent him from allowing guitar tracks to be used.
In my opinion, no way.
It’s not that uncommon to play a backing track especially for cover or copy music .even so for tributes.
Does it really matter? It surely doesn’t make Zakk any less of a guitar player. He hasn’t reached the level he’s at without playing guitar better than most. For those pointing the finger, show us your guitar skills! We’re all waiting ….(Jeopardy music playing via backing track)
Do your research before you talk . Walk on home boy.
Cept that’s not pinch harmonics… It’s. Digitech way set to 2 octaves iirc. I had. Guitar world back in the day where dime was on about it.
News outlets should not make accusations if they know absolutely nothing about playing guitar. They are not harmonic squeals, it is a pitch effect caused by a DigiTech Whammy pedal that is being operated offstage by Grady Champion, Zakk’s (formerly Dime’s) guitar tech. Grady used to operate it for Dime on this song too.
If you are not able to do the difference between a wahmy pedal and a pinch harmonic, stfu. Come on….
If you didn’t know how it by now, but Zakk can actually play the guitar. Yes Grady is using the Whammy pedal behind the cab wall. But he did it for Dimebag too sometimes. Just STFU and enjoy or not, according to your taste.
Considering it’s not a ‘harmonic squeal’ anyway, but is done with a Crybaby (i think), this is a non story. Afaik too it’s always been done by Grady off stage.
Zakk got the job done! That’s all there is to it.
The squeal comes a whammy pedal the tech is operating backstage, just like dime did. Ffs whoever wrote this garbage clearly doesn’t play guitar. This is so stupid.
YOU IDIOTS, ITS GRADY Doing the squeal on the Digitech whammy on the side of the stage you morons. Dime always used the whammy when he played live but now with the reunion, Grady is like the fifth member he is constantly working the whammy pedal and guitar silencer.
Learn before you accuse!!
Zakk is an incredible guitarist. Don’t think he “needs” to do anything to help him ability wise. Whatever is being accused was done deliberately for the show or to honor Dimebag, not to cover up for lack of talent, I assure you of that.