Phil Anselmo has formally apologized for the reported Nazi salute he gave at Dimebash festival in a new video that was uploaded today. He had already explained away his actions, giving the salute and shouting “White Power!” at the show as being a joke, but it appears that with all of the flak he’s been taking for it, the Pantera band member thought it pertinent to apologize after the disaster.
Anselmo was seen making the salute following a performance at Dimebash 2016, which is held annually in Hollywood in honor of deceased member Dimebag Darrell. According to NME, Machine Head frontman Rob Flynn has also commented on the situation via an uploaded video and referred to Anselmo as a “bully.” Anselmo has been accused of extreme racism as well as being a supporter of white power due to his actions.
Anselmo originally said (via a comment on the original video), “Ok folks, I’ll own this one but dammit, I was joking and the ‘inside joke of the night’ was because we were drinking f*cking white wine. Some of y’all need to thicken up your skin. There’s plenty of f*ckers to pick on with a more realistic agenda. I f*cking love everyone, I f*cking loathe everyone, and that’s that. No apologies from me.”
In the formal apology video uploaded to Youtube today (Jan. 30) he’s changed his tune, saying, “I don’t want to be part of any group. I’m an individual and I am a thousand percent apologetic to anyone who took offense to what I said. And I am so sorry. I hope you give me another chance… I love all of you. Anyone who knows me knows that I love all of you. Bless you.”
What do you think? Do you believe his apology was sincere or do you think he is just trying to make nice so people will stop calling him racist? Sound off in the comments section below!
