History was made yesterday in the middle of the desert, as the Big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax) delivered historical performances to the 50,000+ headbangers that united at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, as one big Heavy Metal family . Seeing so many headbangers in one place is living proof that Heavy Music is alive and well!
The show of the year here in the US kicked off at 4 o'clock with a highly energetic set by Anthrax, who banged out song after song to the hungry crowd. The band sounded very tight and from the moment they hit the stage with a very energetic set, it didn't take them long at all to get the sweaty crowd on their feet, inside the pit, and singing in unison to songs like "Caught In a Mosh", "Among the Living", "Indians", and "I Am the Law". Here is Anthrax's complete set-list:
1) Caught in a Mosh
2) Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover)
3) Madhouse
4) Among the Living
5) Antisocial (Trust cover)
6) Indians
7) Fight 'Em Till You Can't
8) Metal Thrasing Mad
9) A.I.R.
10) I am the Law
Next up was Megadeth, a band that is always ready to melt faces and get the crowd headbanging out of control. Dave Mustaine and company delivered the goods as usual, and made it evident that the technicality of this band is mind blowing, crushing, and any headbangers dream. While Dave Mustaine has lost vocal power throughout the years, his attitude has not aged one day. The thousands of Megadeth fanatics lost their minds when the band demolished their ear drums with songs like "Sweating Bullets", "Symphony of Destruction", and "Peace Sells". Here is Megadeth's complete set-list:
As soon as Slayer stepped on stage, the sweaty crowd recharged their batteries and entered the pits of hell. Performing at big shows is something Slayer is very used to, and it is actually were the band puts on the best shows. The entire band sounded amazing, specially Dave Lombardo who's drums sounded like thunder! Filling in for Jeff Hanneman was Gary Holt from Exodus, who proved to be a perfect fit.
The band unsurprisingly got the pit to revolt out of control as they played crowd favorites such as "War Ensemble", "Raining Blood", and "Seasons in the Abyss". The band concluded their set with their epic hits "South of Heaven" and "Angel of Death" with their original guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who is recovering from surgery. Jeff was on fire and his performance definitely shut the mouths of those who hinted that he was quitting Slayer.
Here is Slayer's complete set-list:
1) World Painted Blood
2) Hate Worldwide
3) War Ensemble
4) Postmortem
5) Raining Blood
6) Black Magic
7) Dead Skin Mask
8) Americon
9) Silent Scream
10) The Antichrist
11) Seasons in the Abyss
12) Payback
13) Snuff
14) South of Heaven
15) Angel of Death
Right after Slayer left every single member of the crowd with their ear drums pounding, seas of people entered the pit area in order to be as close as possible to Metallica. After impatiently waiting for the biggest band in Heavy Music to take center stage, the roar of the crowd was absolutely insane once the band kicked off their set with "Creeping Death", and it continued throughout their entire set which included anthems like "Fade to Black", "One", "Master of Puppets", "Nothing Else Matters", "Enter Sandman", and "Seek & Destroy."
The highlights of the night was when Metallica performed "Orion" and when they invited the rest of the bands on stage to perform Diamond Head's "Am I Evil". This was a historic moment, and everyone in the crowd had to rub their eyes a few times. Here is Metallica's complete set-list:
1) Creeping Death
2) For Whom the Bell Tolls
3) Fuel
4) Ride the Lighting
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
16) Am I Evil (Diamond Head cover)
17) Hit the Lights
18) Seek & Destroy
It was absolutely amazing to be part of this historic event and there is no doubt in our minds that all four bands proved to be the Kings of Thrash Metal. Metallica also made it clear that they are the biggest band in Heavy Music and that they have plenty of fire left (even though they literally burned a lot of it last night). Stay tuned for our EXCLUSIVE video. \m/
Here's what the fans have to say about the BIG 4:
"Fuck this years Big 4 was better than Bulgaria's show, but i still enjoyed both shows... ANTHRAX, MEGADETH, SLAYER, METALLICA: thank you for the best fucking performance in Metal history....u guys will always have my support \m/" - Oscar Barrera Guardiola (Spain)
"I gotta say that the M.V.P. of the entire night was Jeff Hanneman, the lead guitarist for Slayer. Dude hasn't played in a while now... has flesh-eating bacteria on his arm... let me repeat:A GUITAR PLAYER WHOSE ARM IS EATING ITSELF... and he came out to join the band for the last two songs of the set wearing a shirt with only one long sleeve... likely covering all the massive bandages/wounds. THAT is truly 'METAL!" - Jason Lee Beckwith (California)
"BEST SHOW IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. A PART OF METAL HISTORY I WILL TAKE IT TO MY GRAVE. LOVE ALL OF YOU VERY MUCH. METAL FOREVER." - Linda May (Mexico)
"EPIC SHOW! I stood up for 12 hours straight, got sunburned, didn't eat for 15 hours, beer spilled on me, and my arms sore as hell. I loved it! the PIT was great!" - Christian Armenta (California)
"We can't think of a better place to have the first US Big 4 show, then right here in Southern California. We will see you all again very soon! Thank you for being part of history, Metallica loves you!" -Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Related links:
The Big Four FestivalMetallicaSlayerMegadethAnthrax
The Big 4 of Thrash Metal (Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax & Megadeth) are coming to the East Coast! On Wednesday September 14 history will be made when The Big 4 hit a Grand Slam at the Yankee Stadium. We're pretty sure that this show will be even better then then one in Indio, California. Tickets go on sale on Friday, May 6 on Ticketmaster!
Last night Down performed a legendary concert at the Best Buy Theater in New York City. From the second Phil Anselmo and the boys got on stage, the crowd went wild and didn't stop raging out of control until security emptied the place up after Down destroyed everyone's necks and vocal chords. Down does not take anything for granted and they know that New York City always expects the best from them, and last night they performed their best show in New York City to this day.
Performing all the "hit" songs from their three albums with full Bower Power combined with the shredding guitar of Kirk Windstein (Crowbar) and Pepper Keenan, Down is one of the tightest bands you will ever hear and last night was no exception. As in any successful band, the lead singer is the master of ceremony and Phil Anselmo last night proved that he is the best front-man in Heavy Music history. The man makes the guys lose their minds and the girls scream obnoxiously loud. All in all, a great mix of extreme music and amazing people. New York City is quickly becoming the capital of Metal, and nobody can stop us! \m/
There is no doubt in our minds that Dino Cazares is one of the most versatile, original, and badass guitarists of our generation! Throughout his successful musical career Dino has proven that he is armed with an arsenal of riffs that crush you in the balls, and that each note he plays gets branded on your brain forever. This is why we decided to baptize Dino as "The Riffmanufacturer", while interviewing him at the "Black Carpet" of the Revolver Golden Gods Awards last week in Los Angeles.
While his career has hit some bumps on the road, the biggest one being when we had to leave Fear Factory. Dino today is going full force with all of his three bands: Fear Factory, Divine Heresy, and Asesino. The future is bright for Dino Cazares, and we predict a storm full of crushing riffs and amazing live performances within the next decade (at least).
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After covering the Revolver Golden Gods Awards and the Big 4, we realized that Heavy Music is evolving very quickly and if any artists out there don't jump on board the crazy train of Heavy Music in full force, they will probably be left behind. We have news for every artist out there: if you are laying back waiting for your "big break" because you believe your music is the sound of the future, you might as well just go to sleep now because maybe in your dreams your "big break" might become a reality. 
- Be careful about booking gigs too often within the same area, last thing you want is to seem like you are desperate for gigs. Your goal should be to always draw the biggest number of fans possible at every gig, this is the only way you will keep getting booked and eventually will be asked to perform at high profile gigs. Also, make sure you are cordial both on and off stage, and make sure you stay at the event so you can greet your fans. Chances are that you need new fans, so why go hide from them?
- If you produce a music video that you hope helps to get some attention, do not cut any corners. It is really easy to identify a low budget badly produced video, so don't diminish you chances of being seen or heard by having a shitty video. Also make sure to post the video on YouTube, Vimeo, and Muzu TV.
- Distribute your music in a Digital format via I-Tunes, CD Baby, etc. One great way to encourage people to buy your music is to give out a song for FREE on an MP3 card (that contains your logo and URL) at your gigs. This will give your fans a sense of importance since you are interacting with them face to face. While giving out a CD can also be efficient, today's digital generation might not even bother listening to the CD, but will most likely use the MP3 card to download your music to their computer. If they like your music they might buy some more songs or buy your CD at the next show.
The day we say the video for Machine Head's "Davidian", we immediately ran to the record store and purchased their epic album "Burn My Eyes". Ever since then we have been hooked on the power and heaviness that these Bay Area badasses deliver time after time. What we have always admired about Machine Head is that they are not afraid of taking measured risks, which ultimately has helped the band keep their music fresh, yet focused on their ultimate goal: kick everyone's ass through chaotic, precise and meaningful music! 
After talking to Robb Flynn (singer) and Dave McClain (drummer) at the Revolver Golden Gods "Black Carpet", we have no doubt that Machine Head will make ear drums explode when they release their new record. Interviewing them made it evident that they are at the climax of their careers and that they have plenty of fuel to burn for years. Here is the EXCLUSIVE interview, in which we discuss the impact of Heavy Music today! \m/
After the success of the first US Big 4 show, which featured the Kings of Thrash Metal: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, the Metallica team is already busy planning some future shows here in the US. 
“We are looking to book something on the East Coast because of the success of this — it should hopefully come together in a week or two. Maybe we’ll do some other shows in the Midwest and South, too. Still, I don’t think it will turn into a 40-date arena tour; that would make it less special. I like the fact that there’s an element of chaos to the whole thing. It shouldn’t be sterile, streamlined and perfect: it needs an edgy underbelly to remain authentic.”
When Jamey Jasta (born James Shanahan; August 7, 1977) was 14 years old, he decided to release his demons in a therapeutic and chaotic way as the singer of a band appropriately called JASTA 14. From the moment the band started performing at small Hardcore shows in Connecticut, it became evident that Jasta was meant to be the front-man of a touring Hardcore band. After carefully analyzing how the crowd reacted to his vocals, lyrics and stage presence, Jamey dropped out of school, gripped the microphone tightly and decided to give his best shot at becoming a professional musician. Today, he is the front-man of Hatebreed, which is unquestionably the biggest Hardcore band in history.
Thanks to Jamey's hard work as leader of Hatebreed and being a master at promoting the band, Hatebreed has managed to sell over 1 million records combined. Additionally, not only is Jasta a very charismatic and honest dude, but he is also a very hard working man. When he is not touring the world with Hatebreed, he is busy with his various side projects. His side projects include: Kingdom of Sorrow (who will be part of these years Rockstar Mayhem Festival), Jasta (his new solo project due this summer), Hatewear Inc. (Clothing line), and Stillborn Records (record label). Jamey has also done guest vocals on various records and has also produced various albums. Lets not forget that he hosted MTV's Headbangers Ball!
Jasta is living proof that if you do everything in your power to accomplish your personal goals, you can live your own dream. Here is an EXCLUSIVE "Black Carpet" interview we did with Jasta at the 2011 Revolver Golden Gods Awards, joining us in mid interview is none-other then Shawn Crahan # 6 (Clown from Slipknot) who discusses how Jamey Jasta reinvented Hardcore and Heavy Metal. \m/
Related links:
History was made yesterday in the middle of the desert, as the Big 4 (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax) delivered historical performances to the 50,000+ headbangers that united at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, as one big Heavy Metal family . Seeing so many headbangers in one place is living proof that Heavy Music is alive and well!
The show of the year here in the US kicked off at 4 o'clock with a highly energetic set by Anthrax, who banged out song after song to the hungry crowd. The band sounded very tight and from the moment they hit the stage with a very energetic set, it didn't take them long at all to get the sweaty crowd on their feet, inside the pit, and singing in unison to songs like "Caught In a Mosh", "Among the Living", "Indians", and "I Am the Law". Here is Anthrax's complete set-list:
Next up was Megadeth, a band that is always ready to melt faces and get the crowd headbanging out of control. Dave Mustaine and company delivered the goods as usual, and made it evident that the technicality of this band is mind blowing, crushing, and any headbangers dream. While Dave Mustaine has lost vocal power throughout the years, his attitude has not aged one day. The thousands of Megadeth fanatics lost their minds when the band demolished their ear drums with songs like "Sweating Bullets", "Symphony of Destruction", and "Peace Sells". Here is Megadeth's complete set-list:
As soon as Slayer stepped on stage, the sweaty crowd recharged their batteries and entered the pits of hell. Performing at big shows is something Slayer is very used to, and it is actually were the band puts on the best shows. The entire band sounded amazing, specially Dave Lombardo who's drums sounded like thunder! Filling in for Jeff Hanneman was Gary Holt from Exodus, who proved to be a perfect fit. 
Here is Slayer's complete set-list:
Right after Slayer left every single member of the crowd with their ear drums pounding, seas of people entered the pit area in order to be as close as possible to Metallica. After impatiently waiting for the biggest band in Heavy Music to take center stage, the roar of the crowd was absolutely insane once the band kicked off their set with "Creeping Death", and it continued throughout their entire set which included anthems like "Fade to Black", "One", "Master of Puppets", "Nothing Else Matters", "Enter Sandman", and "Seek & Destroy." 
It was absolutely amazing to be part of this historic event and there is no doubt in our minds that all four bands proved to be the Kings of Thrash Metal. Metallica also made it clear that they are the biggest band in Heavy Music and that they have plenty of fire left (even though they literally burned a lot of it last night). Stay tuned for our EXCLUSIVE video. \m/