The Big 4 - Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York (09.14.2011)

Posted by Chad Webb on 11.06.2011

Even though it happened almost two months ago, here is my review of The Big 4 of Thrash concert featuring Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, Metallica, and a couple 411mania staffers.....

Having taken two days off to attend The Big 4 concert at Yankee Stadium in New York City, one for the show and one to recover, I was definity excited to get there. This would be the first time I saw Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, or Metallica, and as my compatriot Will Helm stated, it was a feat I could cross off my Bucket List. Getting there was no trouble, as I arrived to a sea of people, all filing into various gates. The security guards checked the pocket the person in front of me, and when I followed, they asked me top open my backpack, which I did, but then never checked my pockets. Apparently I would have carried any explosive devices, drugs, or firearms in the bag only, so why bother with a thorough check. Later, the smell of a certain plant reaffirmed the sporadic nature of the guards inspections, not that I care, but protocol is protocol right?

Myself and Mr. Misunderstood Masterpiece entered quickly, but as per my concert ritual, I must buy a t-shirt immediately, as the allure of the merchandise stand will not release its grip until I do. The first line was short, but they were out of my size. The second line was unbearably long, but two shirts later, I was a happy camper despite missing the first three songs of Anthrax's set. We could still hear them faintly throughout the stadium luckily. After finally reach our seats, it was great to relax and listen to the music. Anthrax was putting out an outstanding show, considering most of the crowd had not arrived, or was still waiting outside. I was amazed at how punctual Anthrax was. Right at 4 PM, when the concert was scheduled to start, they were killing it on stage. Scott Ian and Joey Belladonna were doing a superb job of heightening the masses energy level.

Anthrax's time peaked with renditions of "Metal Thrashing Mad" and "I Am the Law." Joey Belladonna sounded terrific and overall the band was enthusiastic. This was a quick, but compact set, little wasting time in between songs other than to say hello and mention how great it is to be at Yankee Stadium. Scott Ian did make fun of Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show), who happens to be a Mets fan. Anthrax had a cool mashup of their name and the Yankees logo as their background poster.








Anthrax Setlist

1. Fight 'Em Till You Can't
2. Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover)
3. Madhouse
4. Caught in a Mosh
5. Antisocial (Trust cover)
6. The Devil You Know
7. Indians
8. Metal Thrashing Mad
9. I Am The Law



As Megadeth emerged, Dave Mustaine and company immediately started off with "Trust," the song that introducced me to the group. I know, I know, how I could have ignored them before then is crazy, but there I said it. Eventually Mustaine, unmistakable with his long blonde hair, spoke to the crowd and mentioned that he just underwent serious neck surgery and wasn't really cleared to be there. He's in pain, but wanted to perform regardless, a fact that seemed to escape certain audience members later as Mustaine did not appear for the The Big 4 jam session.

They go right into "Hangar 18," "She Wolf," and a track from the forthcoming album Thirt3en, "Public Enemy No. 1." I didn't realize they had any new material, so this was a pleasant surprise. Mustaine is relatively laid back on stage, which could be attributed to the neck issue, but who knows. Songs 6 through 10 are all the major hits, with "Symphony of Destruction," "Peace Sells," and "Holy Rars...The Punishment Due." Vic rattlehead comes out for "Peace Sells" and swiftly departs afterwards. Megadeth sounded amazing, Mustaine's vocals were top notch, and they played a tremendously exciting set, but the atmosphere on stage was noticeably reserved compared the the act that followed.







Megadeth Setlist

1. Trust
2. Hangar 18
3. She-Wolf
4. Public Enemy No. 1
5. Head Crusher
6. A Tout Le Monde
7. Sweating Bullets
8. Symphony of Destruction
9. Peace Sells
10. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due



More injuries plagued Slayer (singer Tom Araya’s back surgery last spring) and a flesh-eating disease (necrotizing fasciitis), which put the band’s long-time guitarist Jeff Hanneman out of commission this tour, but Exodus’ Gary Holt filled the slow nicely.

Slayer delivered an incredible, relentless, and unforgettable collection of songs that has the stadium going nuts. This is clearly who everyone has been waiting for. They powered through all their classics with vigor. Kerry King was dynamic with his blood-splattered guitar and singer Tom Araya was aggressive behind the mic, but humble when speaking to the audience. I believe the mosh level was highest for Slayer. At one point I spotted around 6 or 7, with a pair of guys content with slapping each other instead of diving into a mosh pit. The Slayer banner looked magnificent in the background, and even though Metallica was the headliner, the crowd truly came alive during Slayer's set. Seeing these guys live left me speechless, and I truly enjoyed it after I cleaned myself from the messy order of cheese fries.

This was also the time of day when it started to get dark, which I think did change the mood, but Slayer certainly helped. "Dead Skin Mask" was a stand out performance, but I'm boring when I say my favorites were "South of Heaven" and "Raining Blood."







Slayer Setlist

1. Disciple
2. Postmortem
3. Hate Worldwide
4. War Ensemble
5. Psychopathy Red
6. Mandatory Suicide
7. Chemical Warfare
8. Silent Scream
9. Dead Skin Mask
10. Snuff
11. South of Heaven
12. Raining Blood
13. Black Magic
14. Angel of Death



"The Ecstasy of Gold" comes on and the crowd erupts as that iconic scene from Sergio Leone's The Good the Bad and the Ugly airs on the TV screens. I had always known that this was Metallica's intro, but I'd be lying if I said I was positively amped when it began. In all honesty, you really couldn't have asked for a better Metallica set. After all these years, each member sounds fabulous. Their instrument playing is unmatched, and James Hetfield has such an ideal voice for heavy metal music. Until they release another album that totally blows my mind, this concert was fulfilling in every way. If I'm being extra nitpicky, I'll say that Reload is my least favorite Metallica effort, so I would have selected "King Nothing" or "The Call of Chtulu" over "Fuel", but the pyro was ging pretty good, so I won't complain too much.

The highlight of the night for me was hearing "Orion," an instrumental tune, but one of my favorite from Metallica period. They dedicated it to Cliff Burton and it was a genuinely kick-ass moment. The Big 4 group performance was insane and loud. Mustaine of course was not there. Anyone who feels he opted out of this because he's a prick or something should look at close up pictures from the show. He was not looking his best. They said "This one's for Lemmy" and played "Overkill" instead of "Am I Evil/Blitzkrieg." I thought it would be done then, but Metallica continued with pyro, fireworks, and exclusive beach balls with 3 more epic tunes.







Metallica Setlist

-The Ecstasy of Gold (Ennio Morricone song)
1. Creeping Death
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls
3. Fuel
4. Ride the Lightning
5. Fade to Black
6. Cyanide
7. All Nightmare Long
8. Sad But True
9. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. Orion
11. One
12. Master of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman

Encore:
16. Overkill (Motörhead cover)
17. Battery
18. Seek & Destroy

The 411: I suppose if you're an extreme nitpicker, you can mention certain songs you wished were played, but this was a fabulous concet in every way. Each band was incredible to see live, and if you were like me and had not seen any of them before this show, it was all that more special of an occasion. And Metallica ignored their Lou Reed collaboration and St. Anger, which was nice for everyone. I'm not sure how many more shows all four groups will do together, but I recommend this one. And if you missed the chance, go out and get the DVD from the inaugural show, which is awesome.

Final Score:  10.0   [ Virtually Perfect ]