It's Official: Thrash Metal's "Big Four" - Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax - Joining Forces for Live Dates

BY Keith CarmanPublished Dec 15, 2009

The internet has been abuzz over the past few months, as metalheads freaked out over the on-again, off-again promises of a tour featuring thrash metal's "Big Four": Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Well, it's finally happening.

The organizers of Europe's Sonisphere Festival have announced that they've managed to ensure those four bands will indeed share the same stage on the same day: June 16, 2010, at Bemowo Airport, Poland. According to the festival's official press release, it's not a one-time endeavour either. The bands will perform together again three days later in the Czech Republic.

This marks the first time in history that the Unholy Quartet will perform together on one bill. Whether or not it was unintended, only Metallica have been the holdouts, as the Clash of the Titans Tour in the early '90s boasted a revolving headlining slot between the other three.

Each band have chimed in on this momentous occasion.

"Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's 'Big Four' 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," beamed Metallica's Lars Ulrich in the release. Slayer guitarist Kerry King exuded the same enthusiasm, declaring, "It's about fucking time this happened and about time the fans finally get what they want. This is fucking awesome."

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian said, "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, Motörhead? Well, I may be getting into some rarified air here but as a fan, that's how big I feel this is." And for Megadeth's Dave Mustaine: "If there are any heads left at the end of this festival that haven't banged, they don't belong there."

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