Last week, former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo was caught on camera throwing a Nazi salute and yelling “white power” at a tribute concert to his late bandmate Dimebag Darrell. He initially dismissed it as a joke and blamed it on the “white wine,” and then backtracked on that and issued a formal apology. Now, in an official statement on his website, Anselmo apologizes again and says that he “privately suggested” to the members of his current band, Down, “that they move on without me.” Read the statement in full below.

To all this will concern,

Every citizen in this entire world has the unalienable right to live with dignity and respect without hate or oppression. And I mean this, with all of my crushed, yet, guilty heart.

It’s common knowledge that we can choose to either learn from our mistakes, or continue on a path of insensitivity and destruction.

I am utterly responsible for the mistakes I have made, and can only give you my word to no longer do them in the present, through ACTION, not just mere words.

My band mates are now experiencing the consequences of my behavior, and I now publicly apologize to them as well. Never in my entire lifetime would I drag them down with me, and I’ve privately suggested to them that they move on without me.

My biggest obstacle(s) are the over-indulging in the booze and blurting out spiteful, ignorant reductions of the human spirit itself. I will address these issues, head-on.

I’m repulsed by my own actions, and the self-loathing I’m going through right now is justified by the hurt I’ve caused.

I realize we live in a society where apologies are NOT accepted easily, yet long for a day when they can be, but I also understand if I’m shunned till I hit the dirt.

From the bottom of my heart, and with all sincerity, I once again am truly sorry for the pain I have caused.

With truth, love, hope & respect-
Philip H. Anselmo

Yesterday, Dutch metal festival FortaRock cancelled Down’s appearance.