Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax reunite for a historic Big Four tour, officially unveiling global cities and tour dates—igniting metal nostalgia and promising thunderous nights fans never thought they’d witness again. Full details below ⤵️
The metal world has been shaken to its core. In a move few believed would ever happen again, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax — the legendary “Big Four” of thrash metal — have officially reunited for a full-scale global tour, complete with confirmed cities and dates. For fans who grew up worshipping ripped denim, blistering solos, and mosh pits soaked in sweat and history, this announcement feels nothing short of seismic.
For over four decades, these four bands didn’t just define a genre — they built a culture. Thrash metal wasn’t handed to the world neatly wrapped; it was forged through rivalry, raw ambition, and an unrelenting hunger to be louder, faster, and heavier than anything before it. And now, against all odds, those paths have converged again.
The tour announcement landed like a thunderclap. Social media erupted within minutes. Longtime fans flooded comment sections with disbelief, while younger listeners scrambled to understand the magnitude of what was unfolding. This isn’t just another nostalgia run — it’s a historic convergence of titans, many of whom spent decades on parallel paths, sometimes friendly, sometimes fractured, but always influential.
Metallica, the global juggernaut that took thrash from underground clubs to sold-out stadiums, will headline the tour with their trademark precision and emotional weight. Their presence alone guarantees massive production, career-spanning setlists, and moments that feel larger than life. For James Hetfield and company, this tour is a reminder of where it all began — and who stood beside them in those formative years.
Megadeth’s inclusion carries its own emotional gravity. Dave Mustaine’s return to the Big Four stage once again underscores a story of rivalry turned legacy. Where tension once dominated headlines, time has replaced bitterness with respect. Megadeth’s razor-sharp technicality and politically charged fury remain as potent as ever, promising performances that cut deep and hit hard.
Then there’s Slayer — a name that still sends chills down spines. Though officially retired from regular touring, their participation signals just how monumental this moment is. Slayer’s uncompromising aggression, dark imagery, and relentless speed shaped extreme metal itself. Their return isn’t casual; it’s ceremonial, a reminder that some forces never truly fade.
Anthrax, often described as the genre’s heartbeat, brings balance to the chaos. With their infectious energy, crossover appeal, and unwavering loyalty to thrash’s roots, they complete the puzzle. Their presence ensures the tour isn’t just heavy — it’s fun, ferocious, and unapologetically alive.
Cities and dates revealed so far confirm what fans hoped: this is not a limited one-off. Major stops across North America, Europe, South America, and select global markets are locked in, with stadiums and massive outdoor venues chosen to match the scale of the moment. Each night promises marathon performances, rotating set orders, and collaborative moments that will never be repeated the same way twice.
Behind the scenes, sources suggest the bands are treating the tour with deep reverence. Setlists are reportedly being crafted to honor not just hits, but deep cuts — the songs that shaped bedrooms, garages, and underground scenes worldwide. There is a shared understanding that this may be the last time fans witness all four banners flying together on the same stage.
More than anything, this tour feels like closure — not an ending, but a full-circle moment. A reminder that thrash metal was never just about speed or aggression. It was about brotherhood, rebellion, and survival. Four bands. Four legacies. One stage.
For metal fans across generations, the message is clear:
This isn’t history being remembered.
It’s history being made — one last time, at full volume. 🤘