Phil Anselmo bandmate accepts apology following Nazi salute incident

Pepper Keenan plays alongside Anselmo in Down

Phil Anselmo’s bandmate Pepper Keenan has accepted an apology from the frontman following his Nazi saulte scandal.

Better known for his time as frontman in Pantera, Anselmo was forced to apologise after being caught on film making a Nazi salute and shouting “white power” at the end of his performance at Dimebash 2016, a festival held in Hollywood in tribute to his late bandmate Dimebag Darrell.

Anselmo initially dismissed his actions as a “joke”. He has subsequently offered to quit his band Down after they were axed from a Dutch festival in the wake of the controversy.

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Keenan, who plays guitar in Down, posted a message on Facebook overnight (February 4) in which he stated that while he does not condone Anselmo’s actions, he believes him to be a good man and “know there is not hate in his heart.”

Describing himself as “saddened and confused” by Anselmo’s behaviour, Keenan wrote: “I do not condone what was gestured and said. This lapse in judgment of ‘making a joke’ was in terribly poor taste and unacceptable.

I won’t speak for Phil but I’ve known him most of my life and I know there is not hate in his heart, however I hope at this moment in time Phil will focus his energy on self-reflection and begin the process of regaining perspective, healing himself and those lives he has touched through music

One of the responsibilities and joys, in my opinion, of being an artist or musician is having the ability to help make the world a better place. I accept Phil’s apology, and I believe he can.

READ MORE: How The Metal World Condemned Phil Anselmo’s Nazi Salute And White Power Message

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