Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals have shared a new video for their song “Photographic Taunts.” The clip was filmed by Mike Holderbeast during a jam session at Nodferatu’s Lair. The track is from the band’s latest album “Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue.”
During a new interview with Kerrang!, Phil Anselmo (Pantera, etc.) once again commented on his infamous “white power” chant and Nazi salute at the 2016 Dimebash. The singer is still facing some backlash from the racist outburst, which recently resulted in the cancellation of Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals’ New Zealand shows earlier this year.
Anselmo said the following about the incident:
“I feel like it’s ridiculous. I made an off-color joke and ‘Boom!’ – it’s like I’m literally Hitler! I’m not. I take each individual one at a time, in the way that any logical individual will. I have love in my heart. Over the years I’ve learned to take the first step with love and to put good faith first. I get along with everybody. If there’s any doubt about my political leanings, people should get it out of their heads.
I was raised amongst a dazzling [cast of characters] from the theatre, from the mental hospital, from all walks of life – all colors, creeds and kinds. It’s absurd to me that anyone in this day and age would judge anyone by the color of their skin, their heritage or their religion. I’m a harmless guy. I’m a reactionary, not a troublemaker.”
He also added the following when asked if he would trade success for anonymity:
“I’m a realist. What has happened has happened. What is going to happen is going to happen. What am I supposed to do about it? Am I supposed to re-live shit, or rewind time? Erase people’s memories? If you stack what I’ve done up against all the horrible things that have been done on this earth, I’d hope that I’d come pretty low on the list. I don’t have a racist bone in my body. My heroes are everybody.”
During Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals’ March 22 show in Melbourne, Australia, the band performed Pantera’s “I’m Broken” with Matt Young (King Parrot) and Toshihiko Takahashi (Palm). You can see footage of that below:
[via Blabbermouth]
According to Stuff.co.nz, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals‘ Christchurch and Auckland, New Zealand shows have been cancelled due to Anselmo‘s infamous “white power” chant and Nazi salute at the 2016 Dimebash. The country has been cracking down on racism and white supremacy following the horrific mosque shootings in Christchurch that left 50 people dead and 50 others wounded.
Promoter Ben Mulchin of Valhalla Touring issued a lengthy statement, which in part said:
“I completely agree over not forgetting or ignoring Phil’s vile, deplorable actions and words in 2016 nor his pandering to a crowd in the 1990’s. He can’t take what happened back, no one can with those actions and words. There is no excuse. When his band offered to tour here I did have to soul search. Did his apologies seem earnest? Did he fully comprehend his hateful display? Were his actions and words from his heart in his apologies, or was his shameful display really who he is? Importantly did he as a prominent figure in metal take responsibility on how his actions can embolden and encourage others to hate? I think this last thought is pretty important in the current situation.
I’ve looked at this tour on a number of occasions, before booking it, during and obviously now. I can’t honestly say what is in someone’s heart I don’t know personally but I feel that Phil is of a respectful loving nature. His apologies were sincere and he has rightly suffered from his actions. Phil is someone who a large number of metal fans/bogans look up to and I believe it is extremely important that he show empathy and compassion regarding the tragedy in Christchurch. To be honest I hope if he plays he will renounce bigotry and the horrific inhuman acts and that this will make an impression on people that all humans are equal. He is a powerful figure that could really influence people for the better.
I am currently discussing with all parties on how we will proceed. Something good have to come from this tour if it’s going ahead in the next few weeks. On a personal note, I am not looking forward to traveling to Christchurch nor hosting a loud intense concert but I do believe in music as a healing power. We discussed on Saturday donating all profits, and $5 per ticket to the families involved with the tragedies.”
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals have announced a summer European/UK tour. You can find the dates for that run below.
Tour Dates:
06/20 Dessel, BEL – Graspop Metal Meeting 2019
06/22 Gasteiz, SPA – Azkena Rock Festival
06/23 Clisson, FRA – Hellfest 2019
06/25 London, UK – Underworld
06/26 Manchester, UK – Gorilla
06/27 Bristol, UK – Fleece
06/28 Birmingham, UK – The Mill
06/29 London, UK – Underworld
07/01 Frankfurt, GER – Nachtleben
07/02 Leipzig, GER – Hellraiser
07/03 Munich, GER – Backstage
07/05 Novi Sad, SER – Exit Festival 2019
07/06 Roskilde, DEN – Roskilde Festival
07/07 Villafranca di Verona, ITA – Rock The Castle
07/10 Zurich, SWI – Dynamo
07/11 Salzburg, AUT – Rockhouse
07/12 Vienna, AUT – Szene
07/13 Balaton, HUN – Rock Marathon 2019
07/14 Warsaw, POL – Progresja
07/16 Prague, CZE – Futurum
07/17 Hamburg, GER – Logo
07/19 Gavle, SWE – Gefle Metal Fest
07/20 Eindhoven, NET – Dynamo Metal Fest
07/22 Essen, GER – Turock
07/23 Stuttgart, GER – LKA Longhorn
07/24 Tolmin, SLO – Metal Days 2019
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals have recruited Derek Engemann (Scour, ex-Cattle Decapitation) as their new bassist. He is taking over for Walter Howard.
Anselmo commented:
“Derek is a brother; he’s solid, driven, and talented. It’s awesome to have him onboard and I look forward to jamming and writing with him. We’re lucky to have him.”
Engemann added:
“I’m very excited to share the stage with mi hermanos in The Illegals! It’s also truly an honor to pay such a great tribute to Dime and Vinnie!”
Tour Dates:
01/24 Santiago, CHL – Teatro Cariola
01/25 Santiago, CHL – Teatro Cariola
01/26 Sao Paulo, BRA – Tropical Butana
01/27 Brasilia, BRA – Toinha Brasil Show
01/29 Porto Alegre, BRA – Bar Opiniao
01/31 Asuncion, PAR – Paraguay Alternativo VII
02/01 Montevideo, URG – Montevideo Music Box
02/02 Buenos Aires, ARG – Teatro Flores
03/21 Belconnen, AUS – The Basement
03/22 Melbourne, AUS – Max Watts
03/23 Perth, AUS – Amplifier Capitol (‘Slayfest‘)
03/25 Adelaide, AUS – Enigma Bar
03/26 Christchurch, NZ – Empire (no Palm/Potion)
03/27 Auckland, NZ – Galatos (no Palm/Potion)
03/29 Brisbane, AUS – The Back Room
03/30 Sydney, AUS – The Factory
03/31 Newcastle, AUS – The Cambridge
06/20 Dessel, BEL – Graspop Metal Meeting
06/23 Clisson, FRA – Hellfest
07/13 Balaton, HUN – Rock Maraton
07/19 Gegle, SWE – Gefle Metal Fest
07/24 Tolmin, SLO – Metaldays
08/21 Santiago, CHL – Teatro Cariola
08/22 Cipolletti, ARG – Pirkas
08/24 Lima, PER – CC Festiva
08/25 Bogota, COL – Samper Mendoza
08/29 San Jose, CR – Peppers Club
08/31 Mexico City, MEX – Circo Bolador
Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals will be headlining the “Thrash Blast Grind” tour in Australia/New Zealand next year. King Parrot, Palm and Potion will serve as support.
Tour Dates:
03/21 Canberra, AUS – The Basement
03/22 Melbourne, AUS – Max Watts
03/24 Adelaide, AUS – The Governer
03/26 Wellington, NZ – San Fran (no Palm & Potion)
03/27 Auckland, NZ – Galatos (no Palm & Potion)
03/29 Brisbane, AUS – The Back Room
03/30 Sydney, AUS – The Factory
03/31 Newcastle, AUS – The Cambridge
In other news, the group have also shared a live video for “The Ignorant Point” off “Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue.” The clip was shot by Mike Holderbeast during their September 6 show at Santos in New Orleans, LA. The audio was recorded and mastered by Steven W. Richardson.
