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METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD On 'Big Four' Tour: 'I Think It Would Be Great'
- Oct. 5, 2009
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METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich disputed reports last month that the band was assembling a tour that would feature the "Big Four" of the 1980s underground thrash metal scene — itself, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX. Frontman James Hetfield gave The Pulse of Radio a little more insight into how the story started. "I think it was certainly spurred on by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and getting all these great, nostalgic feelings, you know. And, you know, the more we thought about — 'Hey, you know what? We should celebrate the Bay Area thrash scene. Why don't we make a reunion of that or something?' And it basically morphed into, you know, the Big Four doing a gig together, and how cool that would be. Pretty much it went as far as that." Hetfield added that while the idea was looked into, it never really got that far. "We kind of talked a little bit about it, went back and forth," he said. "No one really looked into it. But then the rumor got out and it's one of those things like, 'Well, is it true?' It's one of those awkward positions that you're in — you have a good idea, and you haven't followed through with it quite yet. But I think it would be a great celebration of the past and where we are now in our lives. I think it would be great." Ulrich said in a recent radio interview about the "Big Four" idea, "I think it would be a super-fun thing to do. It's something that I would definitely support. It's something that I would love to encourage. It's something I love to be very proactive in putting together. But right now . . . it's not something that's like hush-hush being worked on behind the scenes or anything like that." Much of the fan speculation about such a tour revolves around the participation of MEGADETH, which is led by former METALLICA guitarist Dave Mustaine. Mustaine has expressed ambivalence about opening for the band that kicked him out 27 years ago and has gone as far as to say that he would not be interested in playing "in the round" (with the stage in the center of the arena and the crowd surrounding), which seems to be METALLICA's preferred stage setup nowadays. METALLICA kicked off its latest North American trek last month. The group is off this week but resumes next Monday (October 12) in Winnipeg, Canada. Photo below courtesy of Metallica.com
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COMMENT | Sweet
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:19:32 PM
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Damn, this would be such an amazing event for these four bands to get together--absolutely amazing show it would make. You're talking about the bands that influenced so many of the new guys of today coming together--HELL YEAH!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Anathemaniac
10/5/2009 1:22:49 PM
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as long as they take it to Europe
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COMMENT | actually
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:24:02 PM
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Dave Mustaine would do just about anything to be on the size tour and generate the kind of money that would come from doing Metallica shows. So his supposed refusal to do an in the round show would quickly be trumped by the "in the money" nature of such a tour.
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COMMENT | seriously
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:24:12 PM
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it would be one of the best tours of all time, i hope they can make it happen.
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COMMENT | Fuck Metallica
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:25:54 PM
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Fuck this tour. Let's do Clash Of The Titans again, only this time Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax would be opening up for Alice In Chains.
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COMMENT | Just Do IT!
posted by : padlok
10/5/2009 1:28:53 PM
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The easiest way to do it would be a short limited amount of shows in the major cities around the country where sales of CD's and tix for these bands is strong. If all 4 bands can pull off a short tour and not kill each other then revisit the idea with more shows.
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COMMENT | won't happen
posted by : Wasted_Beers
10/5/2009 1:39:24 PM
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Sorry, but these bands that can all command top ticket dollars would not be interested in sharing the revenue from a concert like this. I can't see them charging 4X the ticket price to make it work. Besides, they all tour frequently enough that you can see them all inside a year.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:42:31 PM
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loose anthrax and add testament!
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COMMENT | Hmmm.....
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:43:30 PM
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"Mustaine has expressed ambivalence about opening for the band that kicked him out 27 years ago"
Does anyone from the Bay Area remember that back in New Year's '85/'86, Megadeth opened for Metallica?? I was there and shocked to see it go down. Megadeth really sucked that night, and Dave made a embarrassing comment, nothing new based on his words in recent years, but back to the show. When it was first announced, it was supposed to be Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax, but then it was changed to Metallica, Exodus, Metal Church, and Megadeth. Excluding megadeth, the night was kick ass!!! MC almost stole the show..
Rockin' on forever....
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:46:22 PM
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screw metallica - they would just make it too big an event. Insted we should have testament/exodus.
also german big 3 thrash tour would be so much better.
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COMMENT |
posted by : wooten
10/5/2009 1:47:28 PM
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Would be great. Wouldn't have to charge 4 times the amount.
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COMMENT |
posted by : synthetic1688
10/5/2009 1:48:12 PM
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drop Anthrax off the list and add Testament
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:52:59 PM
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If these bands were in their prime this would be an amazing bill. Today however, I'll pass. Slayer is the only band out of these four who have put anything worth listening to out since 1989. And even Slayer's output has been inconsistent the last decade.
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COMMENT | BUT...
posted by :
10/5/2009 1:54:01 PM
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This will be an insane moneymaker and there will be plenty of sheep who want to listen to 25 years of rehashed hits so it will happen.
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COMMENT |
posted by : hawking
10/5/2009 2:11:29 PM
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"this has to happen! would be the best tour ever! this would be amazing!"
puke
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COMMENT | Don't want it to happen
posted by :
10/5/2009 2:15:15 PM
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Since so many areas like Charlotte have noise ordinances, none of the other three would be able to play more than a 45 minute set , and Metallica would be stuck to an hour and a half.
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COMMENT | FOR MONEY EVERITHYNG IS POSSIBLE ....
posted by : maximusoptimus
10/5/2009 2:19:30 PM
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... otherwise this tour could've happen long time ago
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COMMENT | ...
posted by : spacemonkeymafia
10/5/2009 2:24:20 PM
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could anthrax get it together to do this?
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COMMENT |
posted by : the2989
10/5/2009 2:42:13 PM
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I'd be worried about ticket prices, they'd be so goddamn high. But I'm all for it if they can set it up.
Hopefully there wouldn't be too many dumbass fans that are legion to a single band. There'd be lots of fights, I'm sure.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Reverend Chainsaw
10/5/2009 2:43:56 PM
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TYPE O NEGATIVE!!!!
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COMMENT | this would suck
posted by :
10/5/2009 2:44:39 PM
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because they'd almost certainly have to do it in huge venues.
i'd certainly never want to see slayer without there being a pit within which one might mosh.
:)olc
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 2:47:30 PM
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Damn, Mr. Hetfield looks old in that photo!
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COMMENT | How fucking cool would this be though
posted by :
10/5/2009 2:54:31 PM
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All four bands? Minus Anthrax. Id put Testament out there for sure. This could potentially be turned into a summer festival type thing like with Gigantour but with only four bands they could all play hour+ sets. These guys arent getting younger, and they all are on their A games at the moment. Fucking do it James, Dave, Kerry and Chuck Biilly. Burry the hatchet, make everyone happy.
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COMMENT |
posted by : www.thenextslayer.com
10/5/2009 2:57:10 PM
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Yes, it would be the fucking shit!
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 2:58:40 PM
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Ticket prices are really the only thing that could hurt a tour of this magnitude. Older fans who have followed for years might not have a problem paying up, but younger fans these bands have acquired in more recent years may not quite be willing to fork up.
Other than that, good luck getting all four bands to agree on who plays when. Anthrax will probably play anywhere you put them. Slayer probably couldn't care less, since they're gonna blow the joint up regardless and they KNOW their fans will be there in full force. Metallica SHOULD headline since they're the biggest money draw of the four. Dave...I dunno, dude could probably go either way. He could bitch about his band's supposedly "deserved" slot or be cool and just play wherever.
Either way, with NIN not touring anymore...this would probably be the last concert of my younger years. I'd be able to say "I saw everything I wanted to see" after a gig like this.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:05:55 PM
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lose anthrax, add exodus
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COMMENT | instead of a Big 4 tour...
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:10:10 PM
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How about a Medium 4 tour? Testament, Exodus, Overkill, and Nuclear Assault
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:23:02 PM
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screw that, let's have a low four tour! Toxik, Hobbs angel of death, mekong delta and onslaught!
as for the big four tour-won't happen. Megadeth has maybe 4-5 years left, anthrax are more or less dead in the water, and a tour of this magnitude would require extreme planning, compromise, and dedication, and I don't think that any of the bands short of anthrax will try too hard to get this off the ground. It's going to take too long and it's in the very basic stages right now, meaning it's an idea. Megadeth, metallica and slayer can all sell out big arena-ish shows on their own, are they really going to want to shorten thier set to open up for metallica?
A good idea, but I really doubt it will happen.
Also, to all you thrash heads, join my facebook group Thrash! The largest facebook group dedicated to true thrash metal.
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COMMENT | Why not a Big 5?
posted by : kingnothing23
10/5/2009 3:23:53 PM
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1.Metallica
2.Megadeth
3. Slayer
4. Testament
5. Exodus
And as a bonus, Anthrax can do soundcheck
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COMMENT | REALLY?
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:33:04 PM
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ANTHRAX???? Maybe if Belladonna was back on vox.
TESTAMENT is a much better fit. BIGGER and BETTER. EXODUS would be good too.
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COMMENT | Testament
posted by : GodIllusion
10/5/2009 3:34:45 PM
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I'm on board with adding Testament. The most under-rated metal band out there. They blow Anthrax and Megadeth away, period.
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COMMENT | How would ANTHRAX do it?
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:38:00 PM
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That camp is so screwed up. Guess they did the reunion a few years too soon. I say get TESTAMENT, they are from California. :)
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COMMENT |
posted by : blackiefan
10/5/2009 3:40:05 PM
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Do Clash of the Titans with Testament Annihilator Slayer
OR
Do The big 4 show or tour but lose Anthrax, they don't deserve to be on there. Put on Testament or Annihilator.
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COMMENT | ...
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:40:56 PM
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Testament have sold about a 1/4 as many albums as Anthrax. About a 1/7th as many as Megadeth. That`s why it`s called the "big 4". They sold more. Whatever a few individulas on here think Anthrax would be a bigger draw to the masses than Testament or Exodus. Because more people know who they are.
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COMMENT |
posted by : NoyzRulz
10/5/2009 3:47:43 PM
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Anthrax sold most of their numbers with Joey, so to have anyone else int he band is not the same "big" band it was, they are a bar band without Joey. Frankly, I dont get the Megadeath and Slyer angle much either. Too bad bands like Guns N Roses were not still around.
Hell, Poison probably outsold Slayer and Megadeath. Who decided these were the "big 4" anyway?
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COMMENT |
posted by : ZvartZaft
10/5/2009 3:53:31 PM
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Personally - I'd rather go with Exodus then Megadeth. Slayer and Metallica are great live bands, that always brings alot of energy. Megadeth is great on records, but quit frankly - boring live. I understand why Dave doesn't want to play on Metallica's stage, since he just stands still next to his michrophone during their gigs, just waiting to get off stage...
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COMMENT | I've been a fan of those 3 bands @1timeoranother...
posted by : I'mGonnaKillEddie.
10/5/2009 3:57:27 PM
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here and there, Metallica is your headliner everynight, If DMust. can't get that Metallica is a much better draw and band. then his loss. Everyone knows James Hetfield is synonymous with metal. TestAmenT has a lot to offer, whether you like 'em or not. You're third band (opening band) goes to the mighty, mighty, Metal Church!!! If you are 'familiar' with their last offering "This Present Wasteland", then you know they've never dropped the ball, even when they brought back D.Wayne (R.I.P.) Maasterpeace is a killer LP. then of course he did that wayne-metalchurch LP. and they canned him again. Ronny Munroe is w/o a doubt a prime-time frontman and "This Present Wasteland" shows how he's ready to take control!!!!! Now just get them out of retirement!!! And to the guy who saw Meg / Met / and MChurch in 85/86 New Year's, I don't doubt that MChurch stole the show!!!
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COMMENT | Screw Anthrax
posted by :
10/5/2009 3:59:35 PM
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Anthrax are not even thrash anymore. I know Megadeth really isn't either but atleast they are killer speed metal. Anthrax have not been good since Among The Living. Sad that their biggest hit is a collaboration with a rap group. Scott should just focus on his gay poker game.
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COMMENT | just creamed my undies !
posted by : Devil's Deja Vu
10/5/2009 4:15:02 PM
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by the thought of this thing going on...i would go anywhere and pay anything to see it live, all 4 bands are great, Metallica being the biggest one and Slayer being the most intense of 'em all, megadeth first 4 albums are a guaranteed massive riff killing, and anthrax...well, i really understand the comments of adding Testament instead of...but if they can pull it off...Maybe do it a festival by inviting "Special Guests" such as Testament, Exodus, Death Angel, Kreator, Sodom & Suicidal Tendencies...as i said above....be anywhere, pay anything to have a glimpse of this... Do it fuckers !!!!!!!!!!!!
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COMMENT | ^^^^^
posted by : Sk8ermatt
10/5/2009 4:18:30 PM
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Kind of bummed your dad didn't pull out when he made you. Anthrax is awesome. Among the Living has not aged well, mostly due to Belladonna's opera vocals...never got into him. On the other hand White Noise, Stomp and We've come for you all were all great releases. I am looking forward to not only this show but also Worship Music when it finally surfaces. John Bush will come back and I am sure the new album will kick ass.
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COMMENT | This
posted by : bubba
10/5/2009 4:20:37 PM
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"because all that great memories, the magic of thrash metal, the magic of good old days and everything that's great about metal will be lost, cause accept it, they don't sound the same, they don't give the same feelings, they don't have hair anymore, sad but true!"
Watching the crowd bouncing beach balls with the house lights on during Seek and Destroy, like it was just some sporting event old metal heads took their kids to the other night in Tampa, makes me agree with the above statement. It was blasphemy.
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COMMENT | Huh?
posted by : MuseumOfFear
10/5/2009 4:22:27 PM
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Hetfield added that while the idea was looked into, it never really got that far. "We kind of talked a little bit about it, went back and forth," he said. "No one really looked into it."
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 5:06:03 PM
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wow that's a lot of Anthrax hate here, I don't get it though, they were the ones putting out good music in the late 90's, sure wasn't Metallica or Megadeth, and Slayer was a mess with Attitude & Diabolus. Sure Anthrax has been absent from the music scene this decade, but why the hate? Cause Scott Ian is VH1's bitch ...who cares?
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COMMENT | NoyzRulz
posted by :
10/5/2009 5:59:30 PM
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This big four tour is about THRASH metal, and Poison decidedly are NOT thrash, besides they suck in almost every way any how. If you don't know what makes thrash metal different from any other metal, here's a link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrash_metal
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COMMENT | Testament...
posted by :
10/5/2009 6:02:37 PM
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should be on this tour. Their last album is freakin awesome!
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COMMENT | Why not!
posted by :
10/5/2009 6:12:34 PM
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Well shit! If that wouldn't have been the most mind numbingly orgasmic concert EVER I don't know what is! A dream for another day.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 6:51:32 PM
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Well since Anthrax is walking around like a chicken with it's head cut off and no singer anymore, the best thing to do is have Exodus jump in for them. BIG FOUR summer 2011. Everyone is going to be there and you know it.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/5/2009 7:02:13 PM
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Didn't Metallica and Megadeth do some shows together in the 1990s?
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COMMENT | Wont Happen
posted by :
10/5/2009 7:17:56 PM
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This tour has no hope of getting off the ground. This is why.
1. Metallica will want to headline, so will Slayer and Megadeth
2. Metallica will want a bigger percentage of revenue and Mustaine and the Slayer boys wont go for that
3. Anthrax dont even have a singer
4. For all the bands to get a decent share tickets would have to be like $200-300 and thats for the budget tickets.
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COMMENT |
posted by : innoutofgrace
10/5/2009 7:30:42 PM
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Love Metallica, the round stage needs to go.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Fani Dilth
10/5/2009 8:17:02 PM
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Screw Scott Ian and that sorry ass band Thrax and put Testament on the tour. At least that band is legit...
FU Ian
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COMMENT | Megadeth
posted by :
10/5/2009 8:33:39 PM
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What is Mustaine's problem with playing in the round? Upset about having to move around instead of standing still like he always does? In the round is a great set-up and Metallica works it really well.
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COMMENT | Hope it happens
posted by : RiotAct666
10/5/2009 8:35:01 PM
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It would be huge and bring in lots of money.
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COMMENT | a Big 4 tour would've been awesome in 1990
posted by :
10/5/2009 8:41:00 PM
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now it would have to work hard to rise to the level of mediocre.
Metallica - dead since '91.
#@!
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COMMENT | the best musos from the big 4 should do an album
posted by : megal0maniac
10/5/2009 9:22:13 PM
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together. that wouldbe neat.
l
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COMMENT | ADD TESTAMENT!
posted by :
10/5/2009 10:09:10 PM
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They could make some serious money doing a summer stadium tour with all four plus Testament. (At least in Europe...)
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COMMENT | better idea...
posted by : My Godless Endeavor
10/6/2009 1:59:54 AM
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How about a New 4 Tour?
Skeletonwitch
Toxic Holocaust
Municipal Waste
Warbringer
I would be far more interested in that mostly because I wouldnt be watching a bunch of senior citizens onstage and it would be much cheaper
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COMMENT | My Godless Endeavor
posted by :
10/6/2009 8:56:12 AM
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^good idea
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COMMENT |
posted by :
10/7/2009 9:41:44 PM
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ST. ANGURRR ROUND MAH NECK.
Also, My Godless Endeavor, you just gave me a boner.
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