Live Review: Pantera, Amon Amarth & King Parrot
Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Maryland Heights, MO — September 6, 2025
On a sweltering September evening, the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre shook under the combined weight of three bands carrying very different flags of extremity. From King Parrot’s deranged grindcore chaos to Amon Amarth’s Viking grandeur, the night ultimately belonged to Pantera — a band whose music remains as vital today as when it first redefined metal.
King Parrot
Australian maniacs King Parrot wasted no time whipping the crowd into frenzy. Bursting out with “Bozo,” their half-hour set was a barrage of venom, humor, and unfiltered chaos. Tracks like “Disgrace Yourself,” “Psychotherapy and Valium,” and “Shit on the Liver” came in rapid succession, each one egged on by Matt Young’s wild-eyed snarl and constant crowd provocation. By the time the band closed with “Fuck You and the Horse You Rode In On,” pits were already in motion and the tone for the night was firmly set: unpredictable, loud, and unapologetically hostile. “By the time King Parrot closed with ‘Fuck You and the Horse You Rode In On,’ pits were already in motion and the tone for the night was firmly set: unpredictable, loud, and unapologetically hostile.”
Amon Amarth
If King Parrot were chaos incarnate, Amon Amarth brought order and spectacle. Kicking off with “Guardians of Asgaard,” the Swedes transformed the amphitheatre into a battlefield. Inflatable Vikings flanked the stage, a helmet-shaped drum riser loomed, and Johan Hegg led his warriors through a career-spanning assault.
“Shield Wall” and “The Pursuit of Vikings” had the crowd roaring in unison, while “Put Your Back Into the Oar” turned the floor and lawn into synchronized rowing pits. New single “We Rule the Waves” fit seamlessly into the set, greeted with feral enthusiasm. The finale of “Raise Your Horns” and “Twilight of the Thunder God” left the crowd chanting long after the band exited. “Amon Amarth transformed the amphitheatre into a battlefield, with the crowd rowing in unison to ‘Put Your Back Into the Oar.’”
Pantera
The anticipation was palpable as the house lights dimmed and “Suicide Note Pt. I” rolled across the amphitheatre, accompanied by a tribute to Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul. With that, Pantera — Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown, Zakk Wylde, and Charlie Benante — stormed into “Suicide Note Pt. II.” From that moment on, the amphitheatre belonged to them.
The setlist was a blistering reminder of Pantera’s unmatched power. “Hellbound,” “5 Minutes Alone,” and “Strength Beyond Strength” hit with unrelenting ferocity. “Mouth for War” and “Becoming” drove the pits harder, while deeper cuts like “10’s” and “I’ll Cast a Shadow” showcased the darker corners of their catalog.
Midway through, “This Love” brought a rare moment of raw emotion, the amphitheatre’s voices uniting in catharsis. The closing run — “Cowboys From Hell,” “A New Level,” “Walk,” and a devastating “Domination / Hollow” — was Pantera at their absolute best. The final blow, “Fucking Hostile,” was a furious tribute to the Abbott brothers, sealing the night in fire and defiance. “From the opening notes of ‘Suicide Note Pt. II,’ Pantera proved that their legacy is not just intact, but alive and crushing.”
This wasn’t just a tour stop — it was a reminder of why heavy music endures. King Parrot brought the chaos, Amon Amarth brought the spectacle, and Pantera brought the legacy. Together, they turned the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre into hallowed ground for metal.
For the thousands in attendance, this night wasn’t simply a concert. It was communion.
Photos by Thomas Woroniak for Antihero Magazine
Pantera
Amon Amarth
King Parrot
