How four thrash metal titans united for a single night in Bulgaria
In short: In June 2010, American thrash metal's 'big four'—Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax—met in Sofia, Bulgaria. This wasn't just a concert; it was a global cinematic event transmitted via satellite to hundreds of theaters, capturing a historic moment in heavy metal history.
Held at Vasil Levski National Stadium during the Sonisphere Festival, the 'The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria' concert occurred on 22 June 2010. While the bands had performed together for the first time just days earlier on June 16 at Warsaw's Bemowo Airport, the Sofia concert was a unique, one-night-only engagement. Nick Wickham directed the huge production, which aired in upwards of 450 US cinemas and 350+ venues throughout Canada, Latin America, and Europe, such as London's Leicester Square.
The performances drew significant critical attention. Thom Jurek of AllMusic awarded the DVD four out of five stars, highlighting the energetic sets and describing the encore performance of 'Am I Evil?'—featuring members of all four bands—as an 'historic high point.' While most reviews were favorable, Blogcritics offered a mixed perspective. Critics also noted the distinct personalities of the groups: Anthrax brought a lighthearted approach, Megadeth focused strictly on the music, Slayer provided an ominous vibe, and Metallica's James Hetfield acted as an inclusive presence with the crowd.
The release of the film was marked by several scheduling shifts. Originally slated for various dates in October 2010, the release was postponed in mid-September, eventually reaching North American audiences on November 2, 2010. The project was a commercial success, reaching number one on charts in the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, and Canada. It also earned a gold certification in Germany and provided Slayer with their first platinum certification.
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