The Big Four of Thrash—Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax—are four of the most influential bands in metal. And yet, in the nearly 30 years since their debut albums were released, these four giants have never shared a stage due to a mix of bad blood, growing pains, and other logistical problems. Now, finally, the Big Four are sharing one stage for a short string of European festival dates this summer. And as if this meeting of metal titans weren’t earth-shaking enough, their performances at the Sonisphere Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, will be broadcast live to select theaters throughout the world on Tuesday, June 22, so that headbangers from New York to Peru can witness this historic day in metal history. Find where the Big Four will be playing near you at thebigfourlive.com. Revolver tracked down Slayer guitarist and hellraiser Kerry King in Austria and Megadeth frontsmasher Dave Mustaine in Warsaw, Poland, where they graciously filled us in on this amazing global event.
REVOLVER When did you first hear the term “The Big Four” in reference to you guys?
DAVE MUSTAINE That term’s been around for a long time. We used to be called the Four Horsemen. Maybe 20 years ago.
How did the Big Four tour come about?
KERRY KING It was something that was trying to be made happen, so it just took everyone signing off on it. I gotta tell you, man, I can’t believe, in the 27 years since we put our first record out, that no one’s tried to make this happen. Because now that it is happening, it’s so cool, it’s so important, that every territory in the world wants it. I don’t know what took so long.
MUSTAINE We had some opportunities to do these festivals, and we had been doing the Carnage dates [with Slayer], which were of course so popular in the States and Canada. For me, personally, I didn’t see it coming… Having dinner with Lars [Ulrich] the other night, he told me that he had talked to Slayer’s tour manager a year and a half ago about whether or not this was gonna happen, and I thought, God, I’m so glad I didn’t know about this a year and a half ago, because I would’ve had to spend every day with that “I’ve got a big gig coming” brain.
Has there been a change amongst metal fans to suddenly give the Big Four tour this much worldwide attention?
MUSTAINE No, this has just been a long time coming. The fans have always been there. All types of people love this music. A lot of people like to poke fun at it, or perpetuate this image of the Jeff Spicoli character, but in my experience, that’s not always how it is. The other day, a fan handed me a cigar who turned out to be a cardiologist that operates on pregnant women and on their babies. I thought, Oh, God. Someday my wife’s gonna get surgery, and the guy’s gonna be listening to “Black Friday!”
With the satellite broadcast, will this tour become an international act?
MUSTAINE Maybe. I love to play. It was what I was created to do. This production with the movie-theater broadcast is just much more than I expected, and now, looking back on everything we’ve done together, this feels like the completion of a journey. It’s been up, it’s been down…but we’ve been there, I was there, a part of it, and it’s been a great ride. So yeah, hopefully, we’ll take it to the States, and we can do the next interview backstage.
KING I think, as far as American metal, it’s gotta be the most important tour that’s ever happened… I think the only reason [the movie theater broadcast] is happening is because it’s not scheduled to go to the States yet. So for now, it’s the only way to see it. It’s not even full sets—I think it’s 45 minutes of all of us and an hour of Metallica.
+30 comments
We have been waiting for so long!
metal4washington.blogspot.com - June 18, 2010
I must have Kerry King deep inside of my pussy before I die!
He and I would make great love together!
Lyssa - June 18, 2010
Lyssa, I may not be Kerry but I’d still go deep inside you if you let me:)
Peter - June 19, 2010
“and it was cool to look at it—just how much we changed the world…” What a dumb, megalomaniac thing to say, but I am not surprised, because it is Dave. That bullshit I’d never hear from Lars or James.
Ivan from Odessa, Ukraine. - June 19, 2010
Please COME TO ARGENTINA!!!!!
Julián - June 19, 2010
Yes! Come To Argentina!!!
Blas - June 19, 2010
COME TO ARGENTINA
WEEEEE LOVEEEEEEE MUSTAINE !!!!!!!!!!!!
ARGENTINA ! ARGENTINA!!!
I LOVEEE megadeth !!!!!!!!!
rocio celeste - June 19, 2010
Slayer, ♥Megadeth♥, and Anthrax
the big threet !!!!
i love mustaine ^^
rocio celeste g rodriguez - June 19, 2010
three* xD
rocio - June 19, 2010
God , Ivan Let it go. PS You’re not invited!
Lyssa, you can come.
james A Smith - June 19, 2010
1 hour for Anthrax, another 1 for Megadeth, 1h30mins for Slayer and 2 hours for Metallica! King’s lying :D and… Ivan from Odessa, Ukraine… just just…go to sleep kid
Alex Bulgar - June 19, 2010
I hope this does come to the States, so many thrash fans want it and it only seems right for the Big 4 to play in the country where they started…
Oh, and Ivan? Shut up.
zett - June 19, 2010
This will be insane, need to come to the states . I just saw R.I.P and completely killed. Going to american carnage next month. Oh lyssa I look like kerry kings twin , love to be 8 3/4 deep in ya. Go on facebook look up mark w smith II you’ll see.
staxxx - June 19, 2010
THIS TOUR WILL HIT THE US LATER!!!! I HOPE LOL IF NOT ON DVD AND WHERE THE HELL IS TESTAMENT!?!?!?!?!!?
NICK PEREZ - June 19, 2010
Man, fucking shit, this is the most fucking amazing shit that’s ever fucking happened in anyone’s fucking life. Yes, all those “fuckings” were absolutely necessary to emphasize how FUCKING bad ass this tour is and to hear Kerry King say that Metallica are “killing it” makes me fucking happy. I love em all dearly, except Anthrax. \m/
Santos - June 19, 2010
Megadeth rules!!!!
dr.paul - June 20, 2010
I have seen the Big 4 yesterday and i wish you guys, that those noisemakers come to your country to. See on youtube keywords Milovice Big Four.
With one word amazing. I still cant hear no shit, it was so loud.
Popeye - June 20, 2010
fuck !!! this is amazing, come to argentina, i wanan see the big four performing at buenos aires, thrash is the best fucking thing in the world, i love you mustaine !
MEGADETH BEST THRASH METAL BAND EVER !
David - June 20, 2010
Ivan from Odessa, Ukraine. - June 19, 2010
Hey bro….you OBVIOUSLY, dont know the origins! Without MegaDave there is No Metallica, No Slayer, No Anthrax. He single handedly influenced the way all these guys wrote music and played guitar. Lars is a dick and Dave got fucked by Metallica and I thank God for it because it drove him to make 5 1/2 awesome records ( the first 4 and ENDGAME- sort of) Theres not another player on this bill that could hold his strings, except for Broderick. Hell! Daves Rhythm guitar tracks smoke any lead I’ve ever heard Hammet lay down. I saw Metallica with Cliff in East TN and they were awesome, but theyre musical IQ doesnt come close. Daves Lyrics are better too. When I hear Dave play I know its him. I cant say the same for any of the other except James Hetfield…who never need Kirk..Sorry
Christoph - June 20, 2010
daves lyrics,guitar playing and stage presents are number one.
He’s the king,don’t kill the king!!!
wolvgar - June 20, 2010
Too little too late. The bands are well past their prime, and I sincerely doubt they even have the same following now that they had 20 years ago (with the exception of the sell-outs Metallica).
and @Ivan, maybe James wouldn’t say something like what Dave said, but Lars would definitely say it.
bundee - June 20, 2010
@Alex Bulgar: He wasn’t talkin’ about tha concerts, just the times for the movie broadcast. Dumbass. I hate stupid people, thats why I normally avoid forums, they are filled with nothing but the stupidest people on the face of the Earth.
overdark - June 21, 2010
@everyone bitching…Guys, seriously? The Megadeth/Metallica fued IS OVER. Hetfield and Mustaine have grown up. I suggest you all do the same. They’re all talented bands, and they’re ALL THE BIG FOUR. Be happy they’ve grown and learned that they’re all freaking brilliant at what they do.
Spike - June 22, 2010
Lyssa i didnt see ya yet but ill bang u like a king
evilive20 - June 22, 2010
i hope that they release this on dvd
evilive20 - June 22, 2010
Dave please come to Puerto Rico again! Please I pay for arena or VIP no problem!!!
Josue - June 22, 2010
come to argentina, you have to come we are the best fans of you four
love metallica, megadeth, anthrax and slayer
Totometallica2010 - July 02, 2010
Lyssa im not kerry king but ill go deep inside your pussy if you let me
Dust - July 09, 2010
I LOVE YOU GUYS FOREVER!
Felice Debra Eliscu - August 24, 2010
lyssa, kerry king doesnt make love- he makes hate. heil satan!
Mr.X - September 05, 2010