Review and photos by Junkman
It seems like, for a long time now, people in the heavy metal community have been talking about the next big thing to happen. There are a TON of new bands out there, all heavy, all sporting great drummers, screaming singers and shredding guitar players. All the things that make most of us, who are fans of this genre, so passionate about it. You really MUST be an accomplished musician to perform this style of music. There are now plenty of places for people who have the passion (and the money) to learn their craft, be it from music schools, to clinics, to on-line lessons. Kids still want to play loud music, and they want to play it fast.
This is where it starts. It always has. Play loud, play fast, annoy anyone who doesn’t get it. Worship your instrument. Wear black clothing. Grow your hair or shave it and grow a goatee. Tattoos are a must! Defy all authority. Say “fuck you” a lot. Learn to drink beer and Jägermeister. Get in the mosh pit at concerts and get hit. Know your history of metal, and memorize it. And respect the ones that did it first. In other words, “Obey your master.”
For those that want to be the “next big thing” in thrash metal, they are lucky to know that most of the ones that came first are still around, and doing it better than ever. Although the beer and Jägermeister may not be consumed at the rate it once was, and there are kids and wives backstage in just as big of a presence as the groupies once were, most of the above “rules” I stated above still hold true.
Recently, the four most popular and ground breaking bands of the “Thrash Metal” community got together to satisfy their fans and their own passion for performance. Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax — “The Big 4” as they have been known collectively in Thrash lore, played in Indio, California, and I was lucky enough to attend, along with 50,000 or so others. A hot sweaty mob, all sporting the aforementioned attire, ready to greet their heroes, and hail their return to the brotherhood of the all-day metal show.
I arrived, with a camera and notebook, very early, before most of the participants had arrived. I wanted to see and feel the excitement from the get go and I did just that. The Empire Polo Grounds, just outside of Palm Springs California, is a huge field, The weekend before had hosted the trendy Coachella Festival, and the week after Big 4 the Stagecoach Festival, celebrating the latest in country music, was to take place.
To no surprise, there were plenty of people milling about, so eager to get started. Security was present, but not on the level they would be for most of the event. They actually were very cool, as opposed to some that I have encountered at other events. I took advantage of this to look around. I toured the production offices and vendor areas as well as sound check and the VIP area, of which I was privileged to have credentials for. Made friends with the bartenders and the small array of food trucks that were parked in the area. One of which, I had seen on the Food Channel on TV, was the “Grill Em All” truck www.grillemalltruck.com, perfect for a Metallica show!
Soon the crowd started to arrive, and in no time the place was filled. Amazing how soon a group of headbangers can fill up a big field. A huge “Pit” area in front of the stage, and surrounded by steel barriers was erected and was only for VIPs, therefore leaving most of the crowd 100 feet or so back from the huge stage. Huge video monitors were on either side of the stage (thank God) and the entire circumference was surrounded by vendors of merchandise and food.
Soon it was time for music. And just like an old friend that you love to see, out came Anthrax to get things started. A true “old friend” indeed was singer Joey Belladonna, back to fronting the band after a number of years off. Hitting the stage to a huge roar and starting the mosh pit going immediately with the one-two punch of “Caught In A Mosh” and the old Joe Jackson cover of “Got The Time,” Belladonna and company did what they do best, fire up a crowd of “hungry heshers.”
Even though they seemed to be plagued by an uneven sound mix throughout the set, Anthrax made up for it with true intensity. Guitarist Scott Ian IS metal, he looks and breathes the part, moshing around onstage with reckless abandon. A highlight for me was
the confirmation recently of a NEW Anthrax release coming soon, and a track from the forthcoming CD was played during the set. Drummer Charlie Benante, as always, was on fire the entire set, truly one of the great drummers of the genre.
The last few times I attended a Megadeth show were interesting. Quite a few member changes, as has been the case for them throughout their career. Former Nevermore and Jag Panzer guitarist Chris Broderick has been in the band the last few years and original bassist David Ellefson is as well. It’s a very solid lineup, and leader Dave Mustaine actually seems to be smiling more than sneering most of the time onstage, although the sneer was back during the first part of the set as, once again, sound problems plagued the first few songs, “Trust,” “In My Darkest Hour,” and “Hanger 18” all sounded kinda muddy, but the happy crowd didn’t seem to care, as it was business as usual in the mosh pits. “Peace Sells” and “A Tout Le Monde” were two of my favorites of the hour long set.
As far as I am concerned, when it comes to the “Thrash Metal” genre, there is nothing scarier or exciting than a Slayer show from the pit. Extreme moshing, or to paraphrase guitarist Kerry King: “Prepare to be bludgeoned…” This held true in Indio. Not two seconds into the set opening “World Painted Blood” then I was nailed in the back of the head by a very large foot, courtesy of the very large crowd-surfing dude it belonged to. Standard procedure at a Slayer show, no surprise there. Grin and bear it, shake it off-“Here Comes the Pain”!!!
But there would be a pleasant surprise at the end of Slayers set, I’m glad to say. After “bludgeoning” the sweaty, happy crowd through many of their classics including “War Ensemble,” “Raining Blood” and a killer version of “Seasons In The Abyss,” Slayer, who have been touring with Exodus guitarist Gary Holt filling in admirably for injured guitarist Jeff Hanneman (who has been battling the nasty effects of an infected spider bite on his arm) pulled off the surprise of the day during their encore. Out steps none other than Hanneman himself to an unbelievable roar from the crowd (By now estimated at 50,000) as he and the band rocked “South Of Heaven” and closed with “Angel Of Death”. An emotional and fulfilling end to a blistering set by the mighty Slayer!
Again I raced to the bar for a cold one, as night set on the desert. A beautiful sight, which unfortunately ended quickly for me, as I entered the Porta-Potty to relieve myself. I was reminded of some great advice a friend told me years before. “One thing you wanna remember during tight-rope walking and using the Porta-Potty — DON’T LOOK DOWN!!! Try to keep that in mind, folks…
This show was put on because of one thing, and the first three bands that played all understood as did most of the crowd. It’s a Metallica show! First and foremost. This is the band that people are here to see. Throughout their history, you love them or hate them. You support their new music, or whine about the fact that they don’t make records like the first three. You bitch and yell about the whole “Napster Controversy” or you realize that they were right about it. You call them “Selloutica” and they do indeed sell out — EVERY SEAT TO EVERY SHOW! The fact is, there is no band in this genre that is bigger than the mighty Metallica.
And did they ever deliver on this beautiful night in the desert. An opening film clip from the western film “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” on the huge video screens was accompanied by the Ennio Moricone score “The Ecstacy Of Gold” as Metallica took the stage to a monster welcome and more fans “throwing the goat”- hands offering the greeting of “Devil Horns” than I have seen in quite a while.
Immediately, they blasted into “Creeping Death” the perfect opener. Singer James Hetfield was on a mission and delivered, smiling a huge grin throughout. During “Fuel” the onstage flames seemed to be coming out of the band, they were that hot. Metallica covered all the bases during their set. Speaking of “basses,” bassist Robert Trujillo is a godsend for this band. I truly believe that he is the engine that drives this vehicle. He is a monster, and has invigorated this band above and beyond since he has joined. While we are on the “bass subject,” it was great to see the band honor the late bassist Cliff Burton during “Orion.”
Guitarist Kirk Hammett was shredding above and beyond all night. He was on fire, and so was the crowd-literally, as bonfires erupted about halfway through the set. Drummer Lars Ulrich really impressed me with his tempo, especially during “Master Of Puppets.” They just kept getting better all during the set, which reached its apex at the end during a killer version of “Enter Sandman,” with the crowd screaming every word.
What do the do for an encore you might ask? Well, how about bring out most of the members of all the bands for a crunching version of the Diamond Head classic “Am I Evil”? Then finishing off the night with “Hit The Lights” and “Seek And Destroy” satisfying the old-school faithful. One of the best Metallica shows I have seen, in every way. Song selection, sound, energy, and presentation. Truly worth the wait, and what a way to wrap up a long day.
At press time, it was announced that there will be a second Big 4 date added at New York’s Yankee Stadium in September. I cannot tell you East coast headbangers enough — do NOT miss this show! As I huddled with others backstage afterwards nursing beers, elating over what we had just witnessed, a few of us came up with an idea. How bout a “Big 5-8” show? Then the debate will be on. My choices would be Exodus, Testament, Overkill, and maybe Death Angel, or perhaps someone from the Midwest. You decide, or debate on that one. This one will be hard to top. All hail the “Big 4” for an outstanding day of top flight pounding.
