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What Is Phil Anselmo’s Net Worth?
Phil Anselmo, the American musician renowned as the vocalist for Pantera and for his work with bands such as Down and Superjoint Ritual, has accumulated a net worth of $4 million. This net worth reflects his extensive career in heavy metal, including album sales, touring, and his ventures into record label ownership.
Early Career and Pantera’s Rise
Philip Hansen Anselmo was born on June 30, 1968, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Anselmo’s musical journey began in the early 1980s. Before finding fame with Pantera, Anselmo co-founded the band Samhain. Then he joined the band Rapid Phaze. It was later renamed Razor White. During these early days, Anselmo honed his skills in songwriting, guitar playing, and vocal performance.
Anselmo joined Pantera in 1986, a pivotal moment for the band. Initially a glam metal act, Pantera’s sound evolved significantly with Anselmo’s arrival. While Pantera had already released three albums, it was the infusion of Anselmo’s vocal style and the band’s shift towards thrash metal that truly defined their future success.
In 1988, Pantera released their fourth album, “Power Metal,” marking a significant change in direction. Following this release, Pantera underwent a complete image overhaul, aligning themselves with the burgeoning thrash metal scene. This transformation led to a major record deal and subsequent commercial success with albums like “Cowboys from Hell.” During this period, Anselmo adopted a more aggressive vocal style, which became a signature element of Pantera’s sound.
Pantera pioneered a new style of metal known as “groove metal,” and their subsequent albums, “Vulgar Display of Power” (1992) and “Far Beyond Driven” (1994), solidified their status. “Far Beyond Driven” achieved a significant milestone, debuting at number one on the Billboard charts. While precise figures for album sales for that specific album are hard to come by, industry estimates suggest that the album sold over a million copies in the United States alone.
In 1996, Pantera released “The Great Southern Trendkill.” By this time, tensions within the band were escalating. Anselmo’s substance abuse issues and communication problems began to strain relationships, contributing to the band’s eventual fracturing. In 2000, Pantera released their final studio album, “Reinventing the Steel.” Although specific sales figures are hard to come by, the album achieved gold certification by the RIAA.
Post-Pantera Projects and Housecore Records
After Pantera’s disbandment, Anselmo concentrated on his side project, Superjoint Ritual. Beyond this, Anselmo contributed to various musical projects, including Down, Arson Anthem, Christ Intervention, Southern Isolation, and Viking Crown.
In 2001, Anselmo established his own record label, Housecore Records. This label has served primarily as a platform for releasing older, unreleased material from his various side projects. While specific revenue figures for Housecore Records are not publicly available, the label has played a crucial role in Anselmo’s career, allowing him to maintain creative control over his work and support other artists in the metal scene.
Health Issues and Substance Abuse
In the mid-1990s, Anselmo suffered a debilitating back injury. This injury led to chronic pain, which he managed with substance abuse. Anselmo turned to painkillers, muscle relaxants, and alcohol to cope with the pain. Eventually, he became addicted to heroin.
In 1996, Anselmo experienced a cardiac arrest following a heroin overdose. Paramedics revived him, and he later described himself as being “legally dead” for several minutes. By 2005, Anselmo had ceased using hard drugs, primarily to qualify for back surgery. After the surgery, Anselmo remained clean, undergoing several months of rehabilitation. In 2016, Anselmo quit drinking alcohol.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Anselmo has been accused of racism. One notable incident occurred in 2016 when he gave a Nazi salute and shouted “white power” during a performance. Anselmo later stated that this was a misguided joke about the power of white wine. He claimed that he had been heckled by members of the crowd, who repeatedly called him racist.
