If you don’t already know, the answer is simple. All four bands, (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax) started around the same time (between 1981 and 1983), and got popular together. Metallica was for sure the biggest, having had more of an impact right out of the gate with “Kill ‘Em All”; their debut in ’83. Thrash metal coming out of the early to mid 80’s was the culmination of all the metal you had heard up until that point, twisted around and sped up real fast. They set the standard for every other band that came after.
There is one more band that could have been added to ‘The Big 4’, and that band is Testament. They could easily have made it ‘The Big 5’. Although while having a huge following, they never broke the popularity mark of the other four. Some believe Testament was/is better than all of the others. I guess it’s just a matter of opinion. (Testament did just come out with a new album that is killer!) In any case, all five of those bands are still up and running and as strong as ever! I just saw Slayer and Anthrax completely kill it at Mayhem fest this year. Complete professionals and at the top of their game. Now, hopefully The Big 4 will tour (yeah right) the US so I can see all of them at once! I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Stay Metal! \m/
August 16, 2012 at 5:55 pm
I just started listening to Megadeth about two days ago. Never really bothered to listen to them before for some reason. They’re a lot heavier than I expected them to be!
August 16, 2012 at 6:17 pm
Hellz yeah dude, there is some great stuff in their catalog!