An audience member at a recent Pantera show has claimed that he thinks Zakk Wylde is playing to some sort of backing track on the track “Becoming” which features a quick punch in and out of a whammy pedal to deliver the Dimebag signature squeel effect in the main verse riff.

I know Grady Champion has and reportedly still does control the whammy pedal from backstage. This video is meant to be a take on playing devil’s advocate with respect to entertaining the claim that the person who was at the show alleged. Which is that Zakk was not actually playing the parts or specifically the whammy squeels.

It’s hard to judge conclusively from the video but what I can see and hear looks and sounds live to my ears. (I didn’t really make it clear in the video that I actually don’t think he’s not playing the squeel itself) , only that I think he’s playing the chord progression live 100 percent live)

What do you think? Are backing tracks bad? Does it depend on how they’re used and to what extent, or are Backing Tracks just flat out bad? What about assistance from your tech? How far should this extend?