Big Four Going To The Movies

We’ve got good news for metalheads dying to hit up this summer’s Sonisphere Festival but lacking the cash to buy a plane ticket to Europe. Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax will appear at select movie theaters around the world next month in a satellite screening of the June 22 Sofia, Bulgaria, show featuring the “Big Four” of thrash metal.

The screening will take place the same day as the show in 450 movie theatres in over 140 markets in the U.S., as well as theaters in Europe, Canada and Latin America. Fans in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand will also be able to join in on the fun with plans for delayed screenings.

Photo: Jason Moore

Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, N.C.

“The Big Four: Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax” screening will include nearly four hours of music as well as behind-the-scenes material from the fest.

Tickets to the U.S. screenings are on sale now at participating U.S. theater box offices and www.the bigfourlive.com. Tickets go on sale internationally May 28.

“Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal’s Big Four would not only still be around, be more popular than ever, playing shows together at stadiums all over Europe, and on top of that, coming to a movie theater near you in High Definition. Bring it on!” Metallica’s Lars Ulrich said in a statement.

Photo: Adam Bielawski

With Scott Ian leading the charge.

“Damn, as if this Big 4 tour wasn’t exciting enough now we get to be on the big screen worldwide!” Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian added. “Metal at the movies, two big horns up! It is unbelievably gratifying that this means so much to the metal community around the globe. Get your tix, grab some popcorn and get ready to bang your head!”

Sonisphere begins June 16 at the Bemowo Airport in Warsaw Poland and concludes Aug. 8 at the Kirjurinluoto Arena in Pori, Finland.

Additional stops include Degenaupark in Wil/Jonschwil, Switzerland (June 18), Terra Vibe in Athens, Greece (June 24), La Katarg in Bucharest, Romania (June 26), BJK Inonü Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey (June 27), and Stora Skuggan in Stockholm, Sweden (Aug. 7).

In addition to “The Big Four,” this year’s fest also includes performances by Motorhead, Rammstein, Alice In Chains, Stone Sour, Rise Against, Volbeat, Mastodon, As I Lay Dying, Bullet For My Valentine, DevilDriver, Atreyu, Amon Amarth, Dear Superstar, 3 Inches Of Blood, Smoke Blow, Hellyeah, Mastodon and Behemoth.

Click here for the Big Four Live website.

Click here for a list of participating U.S. movie theaters.