Pantera / Hellyeah drummer Vinnie Paul has died

Vinnie Paul, drummer and co-founder of metal bands Pantera and Hellyeah has passed away. He was 54.

“Vincent Paul Abbott aka Vinnie Paul has passed away,” reads a statement on the Pantera Facebook page. “Paul is best known for his work as the drummer in the bands Pantera and Hellyeah. No further details are available at this time. The family requests you please respect their privacy during this time.”


Paul formed Pantera in 1981 with his brother Vincent Paul Abbott (known as Dimebag Darrel). Pantera would go on to become one of the most brutal and popular metal bands of all time, reaching number one on the Billboard charts in 1994 with their album Far Beyond Driven.

Paul has been the drummer for Hellyeah since 2006. Dimebag Darrel was shot and killed onstage during a show with Damageplan, a band he played in with Paul following the breakup of Pantera. Check out some classic Pantera videos below. RIP Vinnie.