Review: The Big Four Live in Bulgaria

Well well well, what to say.
The thought of the big four live (Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer) together in one show would have had me trembling in excitement as a teenager, and some 20 years later, I looked forward to it with almost equal anticipation.
For those who dont know, the big four are/were the four main players in the thrash metal market. They pretty much spearheaded the movement from different parts of the states in the early eighties, San Fran, LA, NYC.
Metallica were the only one to make it really big, but the rest still chugged away releasing albums (that were not up to scratch I must add).

The show itself was broadcast live around the world (a first for music movies), and seemed to go off for those there and at the theaters.

Anthrax: Really good, only most of their set was played a bit slower so they could all keep up I guess, and Joey (vox) can no longer do his high pitch gymnastics. Covered most of the 80's stuff from Spreading the Disease, Among the Living, and State of Euphoria. Pretty good actually.

Megadeth: Amazing guitar players, new drummer and guitarist, with Dave junior Ellifson returning on bass and a very sober Dave Mustain.
While he can still shred, I have to say...his vocals sound fucking horrible. He cant do his high pitch snarl anymore, leaving him sounding like
a 15 year old trying to be a soprano. Not cool, but the Peace Sells/Holy Wars mix up was fucking great!

Slayer: What can I say about Slayer, fat, grey haired, spinal injuries, and they still play harder and faster than most bands half their age.
These guys fucking rule, Angel of Death is still one of the heaviest songs ever. Nothing more to say.

Metallica: A normal set from the leaders of the movement, with Lars over playing and going a tad too fast for himself to keep up with.
James' cowboy metal vocals kinda still put me off, but Kirk and Rob Trujillo make up for it. With a set list covering their first five albums, this is standard fair until they bust out "Hit the Lights" (a real suprise). Nice. Did I mention Kirks solos rule?

To top it all off, all four bands get on stage during Metallica's performance for the Diamond Head cover "Am I Evil". This was cool. Seeing Lars and Dave Mustain hugging was a bit of a tear jerker if your familar with their history, and seeing the other bands drummers take over Lars' kit was funny too.

Go and get the hi def version, its worth it.
Good shit.