As we edge ever-closer to the final show by thrash metal icons Slayer, one of their contemporaries says goodbye might not really be forever, especially if a new show by the Big Four was on offer.
For any fan of thrash metal, the Big Four undoubtedly represent the biggest and most successful bands of the genre. While Metallica is undoubtedly the most famous, acts such as Megadeth, Anthrax, and the mighty Slayer all round out the genre’s most well-known names.
In 2010, a piece of history took place when all four of these bands shared a bill for the first time at Poland’s Sonisphere festival. Thankfully, this was not the last time we would see such an event occur, with more shows taking place over the next year.
However, since then, the closest we’ve got is when three of the groups (Megadeth were the only hold-outs) managed to appear on the Soundwave 2013 lineup, with fans hoping the future might hold more of these highly sought-after shows.
With Slayer currently winding up their lengthy career though, it’s looking as though we’ll never receive these shows, right? Well, not according to Anthrax bassist Frank Bello.
Check out an interview with Anthrax’s Frank Bello:
Speaking at the Graspop Metal Meeting (via Blabbermouth), Anthrax touched upon whether he’d like to see another Big Four gig before Slayer pack it in for good.
“That was a very special [thing],” Bello explained. “I hope the Big Four happens again.”
We’re seeing so many people from the next generation that didn’t get to see that, and they see the DVD of it, and they say, “When are you gonna do it again?’ And I say, ‘You have to talk to Metallica. I would love to do it.'”
However, it seems that even retirement might not stop Slayer from picking up their instruments once again and reigning supreme onstage once again.
“I think if you ring up my friends in Slayer [and tell them], ‘We’re doing the Big Four,’ I think they’d play some shows,” Bello assumed.
“I think they would work it out. I think [they would come out of retirement for it]. The Big Four is special enough that we all rise to it. I would hope they would do that. I mean, I would certainly try to talk them into it.”
Check out The Big Four performing together:
Of course, Frank Bello’s eagerness to see one final Big Four concert is akin to that of Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine’s, who said late last year that it’s “not right” for Slayer to break up without one final Big Four gig.
“I think everybody in the metal community wants to see that, with Slayer going away,” Mustaine began.
“Although, fortunately, with the attention that they’re getting, they’re not [going away yet] — there’s so much attention for them that they continue to play, which is great for us.
“But I think that before they retire, there should be another ‘Big Four’ show. And since the scene primarily started in the [San Francisco] Bay Area, I think it should be done in the Bay Area or here [in Los Angeles]. To me, it’s just not right. I think there should be at least one more.”
Kicking off in May of 2018, Slayer’s final-ever world tour is scheduled to come to an end in 2020.
Check out ‘Seasons In The Abyss’ by Slayer:
