Kevin Bronson on April 25th, 2011

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By Chris McRitchie

To quote Merlin from “Excalibur”: “The Big 4 was a dream to some, a nightmare to others.”

To quote a well-used line from those who attended The Big 4 concert Saturday at Empire Polo Field in Indio: “It’s Coachella for men.”

For fans who grew up with Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, it was thought something like The Big 4 would never come. Then the four preeminent metal bands aligned for European shows, followed by the release the release of “The Big 4” CD/DVD from Sofia, Bulgaria, and the announcement of the Indio show. The four bands that defined thrash and metal in the 1980s finally played Saturday on the same stage in America, and it was a day of head-banging, mosh pits, beer drinking and blazing guitars – as well as a testament to the staying power of these bands.

• ||| Photo gallery by Scott Dudelson

I’ve seen Metallica and Slayer in recent years, but had not seen Megadeth or Anthrax since “Clash of the Titans”  (Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax and Alice in Chains) in 1991. Most of the bands have changed members and styles over the years and have gone in and out of fashion, but a day that could be viewed by outsiders as pure nostalgia turned out to be strangely relevant.

The crowd was older, chubbier and balder than in their youth. Shaved heads, tattoos, and goatees have taken the place of the curtains of hair. The vibe was, dare I say, happy? People seemed to be there to truly enjoy their metal heroes and be a part of history. Say what you will, but these bands can play. If you closed your eyes, it very well could’ve been 1991 all over again. Can 50,000 metalheads be wrong?

Here are some observations on the day:

Anthrax – New York’s hardcore heroes return to form, in the more classic Anthrax lineup with Joey Belladonna back on vocals. Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello and company played a set heavily focused on “Among The Living” (“Caught in a Mosh,” “Indians,” “Among the Living,” “I Am The Law”) – and old-school faves “A.I.R,” “Madhouse” and “Metal Thrashing Mad,” along with covers “Got the Time” and “Antisocial.” They delivered a really fun set. Some people I spoke with said the Anthrax set was the highlight of the day.

Megadeth – Easily the most polarizing band on the bill. The classic core of Dave Mustaine/Dave Ellefson was back in full effect. Mustaine, the most talented player of all bands on the bill (ask Kerry King) did not fail to impress. The setlist, though, was up and down. Songs like “Wake Up Dead,” “Peace Sells,” “In My Darkest Hour” and “Holy Wars (The Punishment Due)” raged with ferocity. Later material like “Headcrusher” and “She Wolf, not so much. I have a Flash Brilliance Theory (the lame music a band or artist can sometimes turn out can be wiped out with one guitar run or one great song), and Dave Mustaine and Megadeth had flash brilliance in spades on Saturday.

Slayer – For my money, the day kicked in when Slayer hit the stage. I’m still amazed at the level of intensity maintained by this band. From the opening song “World Painted Blood” (off of their latest record of that name) to classics like “War Ensemble,” “Seasons in the Abyss,” “Post Mortem” and “Raining Blood,” Slayer continues to be Slayer, raging though their set. Gary Holt from Exodus was filling in for guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who is recovering from a flesh-eating virus on his arm. (Side note: How ironic and horrible is it that the guitarist from Slayer ends up with flesh-eating virus?) Hanneman was able to come out and play the last two songs of the set (“South of Heaven” and “Angel of Death”). No announcement, no hubbub; he just came out and thrashed. Slayer is a tough act to follow.

Metallica – I was out of the Metallica business until the release of 2008’s “Death Magnetic” – a blistering return to form that could almost make you forget that “St. Anger” happened. But Metallica is basically this generation’s Led Zeppelin, and they act accordingly. In the crowd of 50,000, most fans wore metal concert T-shirts, and most represented Metallica, even the bad records. It was their show, their stage, make no mistake about it. Opening with “Creeping Death” and ripping through “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” “Fuel,” “Ride the Lightning” and “Fade To Black,” Metallica held up their end, putting the Big in the Big 4. The rarity “Orion” from “Master of Puppets” was played as well as a nod to Cliff Burton, Metallica bass player who died in a bus accident in Europe in 1986 while the band was touring. Explosive riffs, pyrotechnics, flames shooting off the side of the stage – all were all in order. As was the concert-ending jam with all four bands onstage, raging.

Overall, it was a formidable display of power – the bands had it then, and they have it now. Metal is still underground, and devotees still don’t care if you like it or get it. They only give a damn about those who do. Seeing bands like this in their mid- to late-40s playing as if they were 20 was inspiring. Catch them while you can, kids, they ain’t gonna be here fo ever. I was there 20 years ago, I was glad to be there again.

[Editor’s note: Chris McRitchie is an L.A.-based guitarist and veteran of several local bands, most recently Non Ultra Joy. He can shred some himself.]