Dave Mustaine Wants One More "Big Four" Concert

The big four in question are Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica and Megadeth

Photo: Dana Zuk

BY Sydney BrasilPublished Nov 22, 2022

Dave Mustaine has some ambitious ideas for a thrash metal reunion concert. Despite all of the obvious hurdles, he hopes that Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax can perform on one bill once again to "pass on the torch" to the next generation of thrash metal bands.

As per Songfacts reporting, the Megadeth bandleader didn't mention exactly who he thinks the next Big Four are, though he thinks highly of Arch Enemy's Michael Amott, Nevermore's Jeff Lumis, as well as "the guys from Lamb of God and the guys from Trivium." 

Although the four original metal giants have not played together since 2010 and 2011's "Big Four shows" — and even though Slayer disbanded in 2019 — Mustaine is determined to make it work.

"I really think it's time for the guys in Metallica to step up, and us do one last round, see if we can get Slayer to come out of retirement and do a Big Four passing of the torch to the new Big Four," he said. "It would remain to be seen who they are, but I have a feeling it would include some of the players we already mentioned."

Despite Mustaine's enthusiasm, he claims the other bands are not down — which couldn't possibly have anything to do with Mustaine punching James Hetfield in Metallica's early days, right?

"I personally have been hoping for this for a while, and I keep asking and asking and asking. They're just not into it," said Mustaine. "But that's up to them."

Once the new "Big Four" are indoctrinated, we wonder if Mustaine will subject them to the same "Three A's" as the members of Megadeth.

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