Big doodoo

The Big Four shows may just be the most overhyped thing in the history of metal (anyone who says Metallica are actually more overhyped should cry because they are wrong), but that doesn't stop me from picking apart the setlists for them.

Anthrax

Caught in a Mosh
Got the Time (Joe Jackson cover)
Indians
Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath cover)
Antisocial (Trust cover)
Madhouse
Only
Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
I Am The Law

Not too bad, could do with more off Persistence Of Time, but the main problem is their short slot, which is a bit mean, and should be longer.

Slayer

World Painted Blood
Jihad
War Ensemble
Hate Worldwide
Angel of Death
Dead Skin Mask
Disciple
South of Heaven
Raining Blood

Well that's pretty shit isn't it? Ruined by the high proportion of post Seasons poo.

Metallica

Creeping Death
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Fuel
The Four Horsemen
Fade To Black
That Was Just Your Life
Cyanide
Sad But True
Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
All Nightmare Long
One
Master Of Puppets
Blackened
Nothing Else Matters
Enter Sandman
Stone Cold Crazy (Queen cover)
Hit The Lights
Seek & Destroy

Predictably (and deservedly I say) Metallica get the longest set. Again, another set ruined by early masterpieces being sacrificed for less spectacular newer material.

Megadeth

Holy Wars… The Punishment Due
Hangar 18
Take No Prisoners
Five Magics
Poison Was the Cure
Lucretia
Tornado of Souls
Rust in Peace… Polaris
Headcrusher
Sweating Bullets
Symphony Of Destruction
Peace Sells

Even though Megadeth are probably my least favourite band in the "Big Four" (hate the term), they probably pulled off the most consistent set. Rust In Peace is by far their best work, so it is appropriate that they are playing all of it (apart from Dawn Patrol, which will be sorely missed). They've got the right idea. Although Sweating Bullets and Symphony of Destruction can feck off.

Overall, this news is disappointing. They really shouldn't have played anything post 1990. These shows are supposed to be celebrating the big four of THRASH, not the big four of hard rock or weak attempts at thrash recreation. But then again I don't really care for the whole "Big Four" hype. The "Big Four" is just a convenient term for people who know nothing about thrash, and it excludes so many bands who are just as influential.