Twenty-five years ago four bands from the thrash metal scene were born. Today those bands are as strong and as relevant as ever. For the first time they will share the same stage. The rumor has been circulating for months and the demand for years, but now it is finally happening. The closest this has come to happening was in 1991 with “The Clash of the Titans” tour featuring Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax and Alice in Chains.
How did the rumor get started? Head over to www.blabbermouth.net to read various articles on the subject. I will try to summarize. This past summer, Kerry King from Slayer mentioned that Lars Ulrich from Metallica was looking into possibly getting The Big Four Tour off the ground. Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Kerry King and Scott Ian (Anthrax) said they’d be stupid not to do it and were excited about the possibilities of it happening. Dave Mustaine went on to say that some of the details would need to be ironed out. Specifically Mustaine does not want to play in the round, which is Metallica’s arena stage set up.
James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich of Metallica said it would be a great idea but that there was nothing in the works. Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett came out and said it would never happen due to “conflicting schedules…conflicting personalities.”
I personally asked James LoMenzo of Megedeth about it and he told me that “Depending on which week you get me, if it’s a good week it sounds like it’s going to be great and then another week I’ll say it’ll never happen in a million years. I’d be interested just like the rest of the world to see us all get up on the stage together.” (You can read that interview here: http://www.zoiksonline.com/2009/11/megadeths-james-lomenzo-has-played-with.html.)
This morning I was over at www.metallica.com and I came across this bit of news from Lars of Metallica. Here’s what he had to say. "Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's big 4 would not only still be around and more popular than ever, but will now play together for the first time...what a mindfuck! Bring it on!"
Kerry King of Slayer added, "It's about fucking time this happened and about time the fans finally get what they want. This is fucking awesome."
Scott Ian of Anthrax comments, "People have been talking about these four bands playing together since 1984. That's twenty-six years of expectation!!! And the thing is, I believe not only will we live up to the expectations, we will shatter them!! No other four bands as influential as the four of us have ever done this. Imagine if The Beatles, Stones, The Who and Zeppelin had done shows? Or Sabbath, Priest, Maiden, Motorhead? Well, I may be getting into some rarified air here but as a fan, that's how big I feel this is."
Finally, this is what Dave Mustaine had to say, "This is a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for Heavy Metal "Fans" to see the four greatest Heavy Metal "Bands" in American History back together on one stage. If there are any heads left at the end of this Festival that haven't banged, they don't belong there."
Three of the four bands are just coming off of return to form albums. Slayer’s “World Painted Blood” opened to amazing reviews and fan reception. Megadeth came out with “Endgame,” one of the best metal albums I’ve heard in a very long time. The album actually converted me into a full fledge Megadeth fan and opened me up to their past catalog. Metallica released “Death Magnetic” last year and it seemed to rejuvenate them. What all the old diehard Metallica fans were asking they got with “Death Magnetic.”
All I can say is that I hope the egos don’t clash so hard that they can’t bring this show to America. I’ve seen Metallica six or seven times, both Anthrax and Megadeth once (turned down the shot to see Slayer and Pantera together about 10 years ago, which I’ve regretted ever since). This would be an amazing show that I couldn’t miss. How about “Summer Sanitarium 3” or “Clash of the Titans 3” in 2011 or maybe a tour of the US in late 2011? What do you guys say?
BYLINE:
Bob Zerull is a frequent movie and concert goer who talks about his ventures to arenas and theaters more than any person should be allowed to do. Now, he puts them down on paper. Visit: www.cadaverchristmas.com. Email Bob at bob@zoiksonline.com.
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