Metallica! Slayer! Megadeth! Anthrax!

Rumors have been circulating for the past few weeks that the bands, or the “Big Four” as the grouping is called, would be doing some kind of tour. Now it’s been confirmed that Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax will play Sonisphere Festivals in Poland and the Czech Republic along with the promise that there may be more Sonisphere appearances in the works.

Of course, an announcement involving Metallica wouldn’t be complete without a statement from Lars Ulrich. Fortunately, the irrepressible drummer does not disappoint.

“Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal’s big 4 would not only still be around and more popular than ever, but will now play together for the first time… what a mindf**k! Bring it on!” Ulrich said.

Sonisphere is scheduled for Warsaw at Bemowo Airport June 16 and Prague at Mimon Airport June 19.

Sonisphere’s announcement states there will be more dates featuring the four metal monsters “in the coming days and weeks.” Meanwhile, organizers announced other festival dates including Knebworth (July 30-Aug.1), Stockholm (Aug. 7) and Pori, Finland (Aug. 7-8),

According to the festival’s Web site, the Knebworth lineup features Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Alice Cooper, Iggy And The Stooges, The Cult, Slayer, Anthrax and Rammstein, while the Stockholm date includes all but Rammstein and The Cult, but you do get the Ronnie James Dio-fronted Heaven And Hell.

The Finland date includes The Cult and mirrors the Stockholm lineup but has one additional band – Finnish group HIM.

The festival also promises Sonisphere dates for Zurich (June 18), Sofia, Bulgaria (June 22-23), Athens (June 24), Bucharest (June 25-27), Istanbul (June 25-27) and Barcelona (July 10), but organizers have yet to release lineups. For more information, click here for the Sonisphere Web site.