In a recent interview with Greg Prato of Songfacts, Dave Mustaine, the visionary force behind MEGADETH, has once again ignited the spark for another chapter of the iconic “Big Four” concerts in the thrash metal realm.
Mustaine, ever the advocate for a grand musical spectacle, discussed the prospect of a reunion, expressing, “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’. It would remain to be seen who they are.”
Intriguingly, Mustaine envisioned a symbolic venue for this potential extravaganza, suggesting the historic L.A. Coliseum. He emphasized the significance of SLAYER‘s Los Angeles roots, making it a convenient and poignant choice for the torch-passing ceremony. Despite his persistent enthusiasm, Mustaine acknowledged the reluctance of his counterparts, stating, “I personally have been hoping for this for a while, and I keep asking and asking and asking. They’re just not into it. But that’s up to them.”
Delving into the dynamics of SLAYER’s stance on the matter, a glimpse into Kerry King’s perspective from a 2021 Metal Hammer interview adds a layer of complexity. When questioned about the possibility of more “Big Four” shows, King, in his characteristically candid manner, responded, “I would! But the way that I’m moving forward is I don’t think SLAYER are ever going to play again. There’s no business of me playing by myself! Ha ha!”
Reflecting on the historical significance of the “Big Four,” the first rendezvous occurred on June 16, 2010, at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw, uniting the thrash metal titans METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX to the awe of 81,000 fans. The subsequent years witnessed sporadic reunions, with the final “Big Four” concert held at Yankee Stadium in New York City on September 14, 2011. METALLICA, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX continued to collaborate on various occasions, maintaining the flame of camaraderie.
SLAYER, however, bid their farewell in November 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles, as part of their farewell tour. Kerry King’s wife, Ayesha King, emphatically stated, “not a chance in hell” regarding any potential SLAYER reunion, casting a definitive shadow over the prospect of additional shows. The saga of the “Big Four” continues to unfold, with Mustaine’s persistent hopes juxtaposed against the sobering reality of individual band trajectories and aspirations.
