PANTERA Frontman Philip Anselmo hat sensationellerweise dem holländischen Aardschok Magazin bekanntgegeben, daß es möglich wäre, daß er die texanische Band verlassen könnte noch bevor sie ein neues Album aufnehmen. In der März Ausgabe 2002 sagt Anselmo “PANTERA was my home for many, many years. I don't have a problem with anyone in the band. PANTERA gave me a lot, and I wouldn't be the same person without them. But I think we lost a piece of what we once stood for. Reinventing The Steel was a step in the right direction, but it's just not like it used to be anymore. There is a time when you have to say: enough is enough. I don't want to be a heavy metal grandpa. I'm 33 and have broken all the bones in my body serving PANTERA. But I'm not 22 anymore. I just don't get the feeling I used to singing 'Cowboys From Hell' or 'Walk'. No one knows what the future holds, but our last tour was with SLAYER, and I don't think there could be a better-ending tour. I don't want to go on and on like JUDAS PRIEST or SABBATH. I prefer the SOUNDGARDEN approach, who called it a day at the peak of their fame.” Genauer wollte er auf dieses Statement in Bezug auf PANTERA's Zukunft nicht eingehen, er meinte “it means what it means, and we shall see...”