THE BIG FOUR (Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer & Anthrax)

Since the early 80's Metal heads all over the world have been dreaming of the day when "the big four" would share the stage together. Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. I know when I first heard they were going to do a tour together I thought it was a joke. I knew slayer and Megadeth buried the hatchet since they toured together previously but the big question was on everyone’s minds. Would James, Lars and Dave get along well enough to do a tour together? I also have to address the whole big four thing because it’s actually 5 well 6 if you could exodus. I am not an Anthrax fan buy any stretch I also think Testament should have been on the bill instead. Sorry Anthrax fans but when you do collaboration with Run DMC kind of lost what respect you had. The theatre I went to was packed with metal heads and basically sold out. The atmosphere was like a concert (except for the pot smoke that is :), people singing along to the songs and on more then on occasion the whole audience would sing along. Strangers talking with each other and debating who “the best” of the four was. Obviously this is where the Megadeth and Metallica fan boys clash lol. It made for a good debate and great overall experience. The 7 Minute Tribute to Ronnie James Dio I thought was really well done and showed allot of respect. They talked to James, Lars, Dave, Ian Scott, Kerry king on what Dio meant to the metal scene and them personally. At the end of the piece they showed Ronnie James Dio July 10th 1942-May16 2010 at which point the whole theatre gave a moment of silence. It just goes to show the impact Dio had on the metal community R.I.P Ronnie.

The tribute can be seen on YouTube

First on the bill was Anthrax who even though I am not a fan a lots of people in the audience where obviously. I am glad they played Madhouse, Antisocial and Metal thrashing mad.

Caught In A Mosh
Madhouse
Be All, End all
Antisocial
Only
Metal Thrashing Mad

Megadeth was next up and did a very good set list. I thought they would play more of the rust in peace era since they just came off the anniversary tour with testament. I have to say seeing David Ellifson back with the band is great to see as well because the line-up without him wasn’t the same. Seeing Chris Broderick rip it up on guitar is always jaw dropping. It’s actually scary how much he c can pull off the Marty Friedman solos. I have to say this is probably the best line-up Megadeth has put together yes better then the rust in peace era. Best moment was the whole theatre singing along to peace sells and everyone doing a Dave impression while singing along to sweating bullets.

Holy Wars… The Punishment Due
Wake Up Dead
In My Darkest Hour
Skin O’ My Teeth
Hook In Mouth
Trust
Sweating Bullets
Symphony Of Destruction
Peace Sells

SSSSLLLLLAAAYYYEEEERRRR yes you can’t just say Slayer you have to scream it out till your guts explode \m/. Anyways it’s great to see tom recovered from his back surgery and going to be on tour with Megadeth. Who is coming to Toronto at the Molson Amphitheatre July 29th buy the way. I have no idea how Kerry king plays with them huge spikes around his wrists I swear they get bigger every show. Slayer was their usual awesome self like a shot of adrenaline right to the heart. The highlight has to be 4 people almost getting kicked out because they where moshing along to War ensemble lol. That and hearing the whole theatre sing the lyrics to angel of death

World Painted Blood
War Ensemble
Hate Worldwide
Seasons In The Abyss
Angel of Death
Mandatory Suicide
Chemical Warfare
Raining Blood

Finally Metallica was up and even though my respect has dwindled over the past few years. I must say there new album is a good album and they can hopefully put that whole St. Anger thing behind them. Because say what you want them still out on one hell of a show whether it’s worth the prices they charge for tickets now is a debate I’ll leave for another time. You will be pleased that it was mostly old stuff except for 1 song on the new album. It’s great seeing Kirk playing solos and him and James getting back to harmonizing again. They opened with the playing of the classic ecstasy of gold and broke right into creeping death got the whole audience pumped especially the middle part when James chants DiIE,DIE,DIE. The highlight here is when everyone came out to jam along to Diamond Head's Am I evil. Quite an amazing sight to see and one I will never forget. If you haven’t seen it yet YouTube it.

Creeping Death
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Harvester Of Sorrow
Fade To Black
That Was Just Your Life
One
Master Of Puppets
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
Encore:
Am I Evil? (with the Big Four)

Overall it was an amazing experience one that I am hoping and praying that I can relive again if they do a tour in North America. If not though and you missed it in theaters then don’t worry a DVD/blue ray released scheduled with backstage interviews, 2 hour set from Metallica and one hour from slayer, Megadeth and anthrax as well as commentary.