Some would call this event 'the metalhead's version of Mecca'...
The Big Four Festival is set to rock the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA, and will be the first and only time the big four of thrash metal will play together in the United States. The fest is set for April 23rd, and will surely have metal fans reeling for more.
California is no stranger to most of these legends. The founding members of Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer all began thrashing it out in southern California's local venues during the early-to-mid 1980s. Most of these guitar legends still consider California their home, including Megadeth founder Dave Mustaine.
During the peak of their careers, the big four were considered the best innovators in metal, which had been dominated for years by British metal, tentatively titled the "New Wave of British Heavy Metal". Although British legends such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest dominated the metal airwaves and record charts during the early 1980s, American thrash metal proved to be a formidable opponent during the mid to late 1980s.
Metallica was the first American thrash band to become internationally popular. Founded by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield in 1981, Metallica instantaneously became popular in the underground metal scene, noted for their fast, aggressive riffs and sweeping instrumentals. In the years that followed, they recruited two musicians that soon became legendary in metal: Dave Mustaine and Cliff Burton. They did not attain commercial success until 1984, however, when Ride the Lightning was released, featuring many of Metallica's greatest hits, including Creeping Death, For Whom the Bell Tolls and Fade to Black.
Dave Mustaine was famously released from Metallica in 1983, due to alleged reports of alcoholism, drug use and violence — reports that Metallica's founding members claim are true to this day. Angered by his release, Mustaine formed Megadeth with bassist David Ellefson, releasing the debut album Killing is My Business...and Business Is Good! in 1985. It wouldn't be until 1986 when Megadeth achieved commercial success with the album Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, however, now considered to be one of the best thrash albums ever produced. Like Metallica, Megadeth is known for their fast, aggressive riffs, which are often more complex and intense than Metallica's most notable songs.
The speed and complexity of Megadeth may be arguably matched by another big four legend, Slayer. Ironically, one of Slayer's founding members, Kerry King, briefly played in Megadeth but quit due to time constraints — an issue that drove a very public rift between King and Mustaine. Though the band was originally formed in 1981 and largely dominated the underground metal scene, Slayer didn't obtain commercial success until 1986, when Reign in Blood was released, preceding Megadeth's Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? by a month. They soon gained a dedicated following, releasing albums regularly during their 25 year tenure. Lyrically and musically, most critics agree: Slayer is simply explosive metal, and they have maintained this intensity for over 20 years.
Though Anthrax did not match the intensity of Slayer, they also gained a huge following in the 1980s following the release of Fistful of Metal, which many metalheads consider classic American thrash. Musically, Anthrax's speed and sound sounded more similar to Metallica, though the band still captured the fast, pumping riffs and thrashing, punk-influenced vocals of East Coast thrash. They also differed because they dared to experiment with vocals outside of the metal genre, which led to the release of I'm the Man, a metal rap single. Anthrax is widely believed to have influenced a number of post century metal rap bands, including Limp Bizkit and Reveille.
Together, all four of these mega four bands — Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax — are set to make history on April 23, but many thrash fans are hopeful that this won't be a one time deal. In 2010, Lars Ulrich of Metallica helped form the first big four performance in Warsaw, Poland, leading to a series of big four performances all throughout Europe. Although it has not been confirmed, some metalheads hope that they will take their tour to U.S. soil this year. This is unlikely to occur, however, as Megadeth's Dave Mustaine is scheduled to tour during the summer for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, with plans announced for Gigantour, a type of alternative Ozzfest created by Mustaine, in the fall.
If the big four were to tour in the U.S., it probably would not occur until 2012 — a long wait if you can't make it to the festival. Tickets are still on sale, so if you can make the trip to the Empire Polo Club on April 23, it's time to make the investment. All four bands will reportedly play full sets, equaling seven hours of metal mania for everyone in attendance. Remember, there's no guarantee that this event will occur again in the United States.
