After 25 years of feuds and fights, senseless bickering, he said/he saids, conflicting tour schedules, and near-collapses of their bands, the Thrash Class of '83 finally got their act together and gave the metal masses exactly what they've been clamoring for: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax sharing the same stage in one night!
It almost happened back in 1991 during "Clash of the Titans" tour where three-fours of the Big Four, excluding Metallica, who were on the verge of superstardom that year with the release of their self-titled "Black Album," performed together on one stage. As huge as that tour was, fans knew that without Metallica, it just wasn't the same. For years after, everyone wanted to see these four titans hook up and play at least one show together, but with constant fighting and senseless bashing from all camps - King vs. Mustaine, King vs. Hammett, Mustaine vs. Hammett, Mustaine vs. Hetfield & Ulrich, King vs. Everybody, etc. - it looked like this tour would never come to fruition. No one knew that we would have to wait another 19 years before this event could finally happen! I can tell you, it was worth the fuckin' wait!
"Madhouse" by Anthrax
The bands - all of whom are mostly in their high-40s - blew all expectations away and sold the dream that so many of us had hoped and prayed would come! Anthrax, despite their constant bad choices and overall reckless stupidity - and I still think they should end it as a band once and for all - opened the show with a nice, though very typical, set of songs from the "Among the Living" period, which proved fitting with the return of that era's singer Joey Belladonna. Though Bush could have given Anthrax more bite, and Nelson some revitalization to the band, this kind of event needed and deserved Belladonna in the frontman's seat. "I Am the Law," "Caught in a Mosh," "Indians," and "Madhouse" don't sound the same without Joey B. Set Grade: B+
"Holy Wars/Peace Sells" by Megadeth
The rain began to pour over the Bulgarian masses as the dudes of 'Deth tore into "Holy Wars" and "Take No Prisoners" almost immediately. Just in time to join the fun, the always reliable Ellefson returns to provide the band with that bass crunch we remember so well. "Head Crusher" sounds even more brutal and devastating. Despite some rather stiffness from Mustaine, especially during solos, Chris Broderick picks up the pace and seems to outlast the venerable Mustaine during several songs. They close out their set with a fantastic melding of "Peace Sells" and scorching solos from "Holy Wars" in the face of the cool rain pouring down. Set Grade: B+
"World Painted Blood" by Slayer
Someone once said that if your band is going to take the stage, make sure you go on BEFORE Slayer, because they will blow you away with no chance of recovery. That may have been true years ago, but tonight they seemed rather sluggish and sedate. Understandable for Tom Araya, after numerous surgeries with his neck proved that his headbanging days were over, that doesn't explain why the King-Hanneman solos were flat and stale. Both men looked tired, beaten, and uninterested. Dave Lombardo, as always, rises above and takes command throughout "Angel of Death," "South of Heaven," "War Ensemble," and set-closer "Raining Blood". Out of all the bands, they seem to be the most lackluster and uninteresting. Still, they played the songs we, the fans, wanted to hear. Set Grade: B
"One" by Metallica
The only band who could take the reins and destroy Slayer off the stage is Metallica. It becomes apparent that Metallica doesn't have to be brutal and devastating lyrically or sonically, but just take control of the audience and let it all hang loose. Whereas Slayer are closed-in and remote, Metallica are open and invite you, the viewer, into their little party onstage. Metallica proves why it is the headliner and why the other three can never - and will never - eclipse them, and why they are in a league of their own. The songs are and the effects are great. Metallica prove they truly are the kings of metal once and for all. Set Grade: A-
"Am I Evil?" by The Big Four
And what about that jam set!!!!!! You have the members of Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax, and Dave Lombardo from Slayer, jamming to Diamond Head's "Am I Evil?" together. It was perhaps the most indescribable moment in metal history. Just seeing everyone come out and hugging each other, smiling and patting each other on the back was a cool moment in itself. I mean, who would have thought to finally see James, Lars and Dave onstage! So much talent side-by-side, guns and guitars blazing, the drummers drumming, bassists booming, and vocalists trading off their duties! Fuckin' wow! It almost brings a tear to the eye just thinking about it!
However, did anyone else notice three noticable absences in the form of Araya, King, and Hanneman who typically opted not to participate in the jam-along. Typical and quite disappointing! This should be a sign that Slayer is coming to an end, and fittingly so. Slayer got their collective asses stomped by Lars and crew! Shocking to say, but quite fitting. My hat's off to Lombardo for forsaking his douchemates and joining his colleagues to perform in this historic moment. The three guys in Slayer don't come off tough and rebellious, but rather weak and antiquated!
Despite a near-ruined moment, the jam was perfect and the night was spectacular. We can only hope that before these four bands call it a day forever, that they at least bring that show over to the States. A fitting end to their career in their homeland.
Trust me, it's going to happen!
Show Grade: A-
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