Pantera's Philip Anselmo on Covering Black Sabbath's 'Planet Caravan'

Loudwire Exclusive: Philip Anselmo celebrates the 20th anniversary reissue of Pantera's 'Far Beyond Driven' by taking us back to 1994 with this recollection of covering Black Sabbath's 'Planet Caravan.'
Buy the 20th anniversary edition of 'Far Beyond Driven' here: itunes.apple.c...

[@Dime6String]

I remember reading an interview with Tony Iommi in a guitar magazine after this cover came out. They asked Tony something about how to play the song and he said, "Go ask Dimebag. He plays it better than I ever did!" That right there, coming from the Godfather of Metal guitar, is the ultimate compliment! The guys NAILED it on this cover!!

[@adankseasonads935]

Dime6String I have to read that!!

[@dravenvigil4790]

Jesus christ man thank you for this comment

[@TheWhatthefuck12]

@@dravenvigil4790 all good but to COMPOSE it is the REAL magic

[@JonnySublime]

This says as much about Tony as it does about Dimer.

[@ZAITSEFBEATS]

bro i felt that hard

[@DeadGlassEyes]

Best cover of Planet Caravan ever. They did a brilliant job with it.

[@debangsubanerjee2155]

DaemoniumCC Very very true..

[@kassidyjohnson3244]

DaemoniumCC ...I fukin agree 100% I love both versions of the song ..

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

That's the thing with covers. You have to understand and re-capture the magic of the song,with respect both sonically and mentally.And this is one of the greatest covers of all time.

[@washburn11000]

FACTS

[@billmcyrus]

I completely agree, also love their cover of Electric Funeral for much the same reasons. It seems like they had a really deep understanding of Sabbath's process, which also was present in Phil's track on Iommi's solo album which is another one of his best songs.

[@epictemptation7350]

My fav song from Pantera, seriously one of the best covers of all time.

[@eddieandersson9667]

without a doubt bro!!

[@nathansciarone5627]

@matheus oliveira...tools cover was not "better" fuck off learn english and come back in a few years when you have furthered your already diminishing IQ

[@nathansciarone5627]

you just proved my point you raging moron 😆😆 LMAO😆😆

[@matheus-er3jh]

I just argued instead of fucking.Just think, you should stop fucking and argue more,Needless to call others an idiot and an illiterate

[@nathansciarone5627]

dude you just keep pushing my point further..i didnt call you an illiterate but i am starting to believe it more and more with every reply...(edited)😆

[@kolijahc]

Because of this cover I started listening to Black Sabbath. This started my journey into older music, sabbath, pink floyd, judas priest, iron maiden. 20 years later still one of my favorite covers of all time. Right up there with No Quarter by Tool.

[@nightgoat293]

This is pretty much the exact comment I was about to leave

[@metaphoria3]

awesome comment

[@raymartinez4596]

Same here bro.

[@CamRebires]

that's beautiful

[@shaurya6601]

'No Quarter' cover by Tool is something else.

[@PAFHeather]

It doesn't work because it's ironic. It works because the tone and the candor of that song feels like pure catharsis after such a driving, angry album. It's awesome. It's like a mouthful of ice cream after eating a meal of fire.

[@GrimkhazThalassa]

Well said!

[@Hedra718]

That is perfect! 🤘😜

[@alessandro9740]

damn that's perfect example👏

[@stantheman9790]

That analogy is so amazing I actually want to attempt this next time I listen to Far Beyond Driven lmao

[@tastelesstouch]

Perfectly summarizes the feeling

[@Ramoa111]

dime's solo is fucking unbelievable. Lightning fast, crystal clear. l usually play his solo on a loop, sometimes for hours

[@iagoblanco8965]

Dude, listening to Anselmo speaking with planet caravan playing in the background is one of the calmest experiencies in the world. It's like a grandfather telling you a story or something, and is fucking awesome. I could just listen to him speak the whole day.

[@MANthe93]

Phil looks amazingly sober in this interview, haven't seen him like this for years

[@illustrate303]

MANthe93 he’s been sober for a while, but even then it takes a while to get yourself back. It’s a long process

[@billmcyrus]

His recovery is definitely admirable.

[@pennymymom]

i always knew it was meant to soothe the listener after taking the "beating" of the record itself. great cover, great job.

[@chrishaas1511]

Nice profile pic

[@Okiecub]

Planet Caravan is one of my favorite Black Sabbath songs ever, and this is one of the best covers of any song I've ever heard from any band, ever.

[@richardlangly4635]

They absolutely did Planet Caravan justice. I really love this cover, one of my all-time favorite songs.

[@2121beastmode]

By far the best cover anyone's ever done. I still listen to it multiple times daily and it just gets better every time.

[@bassafterthesilence]

Phil and Pantera made the best choice ever. Great cover of a great song, very nice!

[@MrRandyRhoadsfan]

Phil is right, they did that song amazing justice

[@Ramoa111]

This song to me is like a farewell to that brief time in mid 90s when metal went mainstream. It's like watching the grandest of ships depart to never come back

[@babasemka]

What a big nice pile of bullshit that is ^^

[@Sam-in9dp]

It was.. a farewell to that era really.. after that things started to slide downhill tbh

[@billmcyrus]

I'm thankful we at least still have Tool and Mastodon.

[@Apprentice_of_the_Leonine]

@@billmcyrus And for more extreme stuff, Lamb of God.

[@MrMetalCreature]

In my opinion Far Beyond Driven was Pantera's best work and their cover of Planet Caravan topped it.

[@chris-Ribble-Roots]

I actually think that was some of Dimebags best work. I love the Jazz feel to his playing.

[@kikeenriquez4436]

Right? It's that groove and natural feel he had. He made the guitar speak to you. It's amazing. I'm a drummer, but I appreciate the hell out of Dime's guitar playing.

[@chris-Ribble-Roots]

I'm a fuckin soul singer and even I appreciate it!! haha

[@MrClubpenguin11]

Listen to his playing on the song "Floods" the outro guitar is amazing

[@billmcyrus]

It impressed Tony so that's definitely saying something.

[@navigator8222]

He was copying Iommi, who was copying Joe Pass, who was copying Django Reinhardt who was copying American Jazz.

[@menacedennis77]

Yea , awesome album. Pantera was one of the greatest metal bands of all time

[@franklinvelle7725]

I imagine myself listening to this song in a lonely caribbean islet, forgetting everything and chilling out lying in the sand. That's what i feel when i listen Planet Caravan

[@jacoblimon3058]

Dude I know what u mean. either with a beer or weed in hand, around a campfire and a thousand stars

[@50shadesofgandalfthegrey57]

When I listen to this, I get the same feeling I get when I listen to Breathe. I always feel like I’m flying up into a full moon in the night sky, looking down at everyone below and just fading away.

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

The ultimate star gazing song!

[@nevadacampbell4859]

I heard Iommi say that Dimebag played it better than he ever did!! That would be a dream come true to the guys coming from the GODFATHERS OF METAL!!! All of Sabbath was blown away!

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

Iommi.Not only one of the most influential guitarists of all time but a great,humble person too.Only a true legend would say something like

[@bugvswindshield]

toni Iommi was put on this planet so the guitar gods could have hero's too.

[@jack-dl7ho]

I haven't ever heard Planet Caravan before, than on this record. When I heard it, I was 14. Pantera was one of my youth's face punch... I can't describe to you how I feel listening to this record... It brings me back to those times... confusion, curiosity, hope... Ehhh... I remember also that this lead was one of the leads which I wanted and was determined to learn. It is IMO great lead, I like to play it and get into that mood sometimes. This is close to my heart, period.

[@Sam-in9dp]

Love that you called them one of your "youth's face punch".. exactly how I have always felt about them..

[@jeroenkoster1366]

It fits perfectly, best album closer possible. Lovely version of this amazing song.

[@tm9184]

25 years later of me being a fan, I still listen to it all the time.

[@lsu1992]

Seeing them play it live, in NOLA, on the FBD tour is one of my most treasured memories. It was like...communion. The band and crowd were one. An amazing experience.

[@peterbell3199]

Wow, this might be the most coherent/intelligent interview I've ever seen from Phil.

[@SectionF4]

My favorite Pantera track. Takes me somewhere every time I listen to it.

[@hx3885]

The song is about floating threw space and time with your soul mate with only you and them and the universe. Lost with love. Pantera' version was played at my wedding and is one of the most talented and beautiful solos Dime ever did.. oooh how I miss Pantera.

[@ryancronk6762]

Growing up with far beyond driven I always loved finishing the album with this song. done so well been listening to that album for almost 15 years and it still gets me pumped and I still love that cover

[@nickpavlovich2312]

EPIC COVER. THANKYOU PANTERA JUNE - 9 - 2024

[@metalman462]

I listen to panteras version of planet caravan almost every morning

[@julianvanderlinden383]

same here, every morning on the way to work...

[@Ecclesiastes11718]

same

[@Thesunshinesinvain]

Same here, while going to work at 5:00 am

[@GrimkhazThalassa]

You guys know about life...

[@yungbeanz0]

@@GrimkhazThalassa yea they do, you clearly dont

[@mpzeppelin43]

Best cover ever! I can’t stop listening to this song…

[@Ramoa111]

this song is one of those covers that tops the original and becomes mainstream to the point some find out years later it was originally made by another band

[@babasemka]

Another big nice pile of bullshit right here, folks.

[@MatthewCVR]

I was shocked when I heard they were covering Planet Caravan but when I heard it well they did a great cover.

[@Raynadelic]

Amazing song!!! Pantera/PHA did this song justice for sure.

[@btbamdep]

Yeah it's perfect really. There's obviously subtle differences compared to the original but they didn't go overboard with "their take on it", ya know?

[@Raynadelic]

Exactly, I agree!!!

[@CFHmetalorama]

Damn I wish they'd released a whole album of Sabbath covers, one of my favourite bands covering another of my favourite bands.

[@jzl3573]

They did Electric Funeral and Hole in The Sky too, if you haven't checked those out yet.

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

Dimebag's outro is simply beautiful and brilliant.

[@UniqueTechnique29]

This song meant a lot to me growing up. To this day, this is still my favorite song from Pantera and there are a bunch that are great.

[@MonsterMarkG]

Planet Caravan fit very well imo. It's still one of my favourite covers of all time from my favourite Pantera album. They nailed it on this one!

[@craigmacdonald7764]

This is without a doubt the greatest cover song ever just amazing

[@vanessaEleven]

I fuckn LOVE this remake!!! Phil's voice is Magic literally fuckn MAGIC!!! COME BACK PHIL!!!!

[@jpjp9145]

This cover came to me at a time when I needed it the most 3 years ago. This is one Of the songs that kept me alive. This cover Of it.

[@theguitardevil100]

This cover is amazing. I listen the pantera version of this song every single day for years.

[@Chris-xu6wy]

that Black Sabbath cover 'Planet Caravan 'on Pantera's , far beyond driven was perfect song to chill out to after some hard hitting shit the whole way through. Love it and love that album

[@1337paladin]

quality effort indeed... true

[@LaserGadgets]

Hole in the Sky kicks ass....Planet Caravan is at the end of my fav-pantera-song list. Stuck there for life.

[@joshuabarbour5278]

Yours and mine, sir. Thank you guys for the spine you have.

[@cd0u50c9]

Incredible cover and a perfect closer to a pained and intense album. Stellar work.

[@tastelesstouch]

I saw an interview with Phil and he was talking about when they playing at the Monsters of Rock in Moscow, they were driving into the city and planet caravan was playing on the stereo and it was this really surreal experience. I like to think they all thought of that moment when they thought about what song to cover

[@sethwetzel974]

What I love anout Phil and the rest of Pantera? They were real, They never pulled a punch and they told you straight what it was all about. Their song lyrics and just talking to them they always stayed true to form. No matter the outcome. Some of the best guys to do it.

[@BigRedRicketts]

Cant believe it got rejected !! Long live pantera ozzy was proud of it they all were

[@MarkS-tc7rr]

It’s the perfect end to far beyond driven. That album is such a journey

[@gshock3092]

It's a great song to listen to after rocking out! These guys couldn't do better! Remember hearing it on radio constantly years ago.

[@breal1183]

One of the extreme rare times l prefer Pantera's version to the original!! It's that good!!

[@Villista619]

Love this cover. Great video too.

[@Marcnshae2011]

Such a badass cover! I bought this cd at the rock n roll hall of fame, while on vacation. I remember listening to Pantera's cover on The Crow cd before hand. Little did I know what I was in for after I purchased this album! Great memories! R.I.P. the Abbott brothers.

[@CraigMansfield]

They did a great version of a classic.

[@eduardodiaz2287]

PANTERA MADE IT REAL AND MORE HISTORICAL R.I.P DIME VINNIE VIVA PANTERA

[@ernestovalles4296]

Greatest song OF ALL TIME!

[@DrSoWhat]

that was one of their best decisions ever

[@adamjay2ndward]

Im glad they added this song the album.... its a personal favorite not to me but to every got damn person who enjoys it.. seen it live and ...wow

[@Hunter2847]

This is my favorite song (cover) from my favorite band. From either band. That is unusual given the type of music they’re known for but it’s just magical

[@badazzbeotch2318]

Pantera is the greatest metal/screaming combo ever!!

[@killval849]

EVERY PanterA cover of Black Sabbath was BEYOND top notch, I mean seriously, any cover they ever did from Nugent to KISS to Black Sabbath were all perfect, literally perfect.

[@fergushill5673]

They absolutely perfected it

[@The2005rwb]

I always though Pantera's cover was even better than Black Sabbath's original. It's rare that a cover outshines the original, but Pantera managed to do it on this one.

[@kuzrahfan2004]

In my opinion another cover that is better than the original is The Man who Sold The World by Midge Ure

[@JonnySublime]

That's what makes them being gone that much more painful.

[@billmcyrus]

Jimi Hendrix cover of All Along the Watchtower is another example.

[@HighlyCruciferous]

Heresy

[@billmcyrus]

@@HighlyCruciferous That's also a good Pantera song.

[@aaronlorinchack1942]

One of my favorite songs by both bands.

[@erykli8385]

Planet Caravan being so old is still awesome, the best as always is the original by Black Sabbath, I first heard this song 29 years ago by Pantera...... great song but looking for old music that I listened to years ago I found Planet Carawan Black Sabbath is like moving to the past Planet Caravan mając tyle lat jest nadal zajebisty, najlepszy jak zwykle zawsze jest oryginał w wykonaniu Black Sabbath, pierwszy raz usłyszałem ten utwór 29 lat temu w wykonaniu Pantery......świetny utwór ale szukając starej mózyki której słuchłem przed laty znalazłem Planet Carawan Black Sabbath to tak jak przenieść się do przeszłości

[@melissaivy5199]

I sooooooo loooooove what you did to this song I'm actually surprised it was rejected but sooooo perfectly done! I apsolutely looooooooove how Phil sounds singing this song planet caravan!! 🤘🤘🤘✌️🖤🤘🤘🤘

[@mitigiant5328]

Best cover ever! And the solo iat the end is priceless

[@nilsongoncalves8339]

When Throes of Rejection ends and Planet Caravan begins, I'm always amazed and chilled. Not only did they end the album with an absolute sabbath classic, they ended an extremely heavy album in a calm and sublime way.

[@jeannetaliaferro8324]

It's brilliant! My daughter used to play it to help put her brother to sleep. It still does.

[@andretavares6827]

Beautiful cover from beautiful people

[@joshs1533]

I remember having the most intense Salvia trip to this song about 10 years ago and it genuinely took me to another planet.

[@darcycole5680]

I love Phil. He was nice to me when I was a sixteen year old fox-----and he didn't take advantage of me. Besides my bullshit, he is REAL. He doesn't give a shit about being cool or whatever. He's just nice.

[@ericmallard7146]

I don’t care what anyone says about planet caravan. Phil’s cover for it was if not the greatest cover to ever be done. The whole band put their heart and soul in the song and it all clicked very well I think for themselves and for their album.

[@bucksolo703]

Love this song they did an awesome cover I cant think of any other band that could have done it better.

[@todddavis4274]

I'd love to meet Phil.He is definitely a survivor and an inspiration.

[@johnjiii414]

Quality effort indeed!!!

[@ajquick7585]

My mom is a 70 year old black woman who mostly listens to Motown type shit and doesn’t know much Sabbath or rock at all, but after me playing this all the time, she LOVES this cover and asked me to put it on CD for her lol

[@lunchboxtoothpick3775]

I can't help but like thier version better cause of Phil's voice

[@ellezard0844]

This cover is so much better than the original, and Pantera Live cover is so much better than Pantera studio cover !!

[@KR2EP]

Ronald Hergé Agree!

[@fewhavestrength]

beautiful!

[@coolpeoplethings]

They did a beautiful job

[@ecurb_pool]

They honestly chose the perfect song to end that album 🔥

[@hondansx1000]

It's the most perfect and well done cover i've ever come across, the only other cover i could think of that came close to the quality of this one...is the "Hallowed be thy name" cover Machine Head did. It's just such a perfect interpretation of the original, and dime really does nail that solo

[@SuperRoo_22]

The perfect ending to FBD. As Phil says, after all the brutality of the album, just a nice mellow way to finish off & a tribute to the creator's of the metal universe.

[@tijamir4998]

What a great story teller uncle Phil is🔥

[@RobNY5150]

They did the impossible. They took a classic song and recorded a version that is also now considered a classic. I have both on CD, I always listen to the Pantera version.

[@jesseforrest416]

They did justice to it. Fucking love it.🤘

[@michaelkjrgaardsrensen9532]

It fit! Respect to you guys 🤘

[@waysb7450]

And do it justice Pantera did, metal to the fucking core!

[@StONed-mb1iv]

I made a believer out of a die hard BLACK SABBATH fan. He could not believe that PANTERA nailed it as they did!

[@arpankoley5245]

Exactly Hard Core fan can feel planet caravan 🥰

[@cristisun184]

It turned out to be a fantastic interpretation.

[@dj80550]

They killed it...FBD was another amazing album, perfect last song. Phil was the perfect metal frontman of the 90s & 2000s. That's a fact.

[@analozada9475]

Phil is a visionary! 🙌🖤🔥🤘🔥👊

[@DreamWizard9]

Yes, that song was a bit of a shocker to me at the time. (slow and ballad like) But it's a great cover. Very well done. It worked great to close of the album!

[@jamesbutterson5218]

i love this cover! 🤘💚💨👍

[@Republic-Of-Me-Travel]

Absolute L.E.G.E.N.D. ********

[@405adam]

This was a great cover. I still jam to Pantera but more now I’m more into the influence of blues music had on modern rock and metal. When I heard “Texas Flood” by Stevie Ray Vaughan I was hooked.