Big Four California Show Announced

On the morning of Jan. 28, the sole US date for the Big Four package was announced via its Facebook fan page. Unless you've been living under a rock, you already know that this once-in-a-lifetime show features none other than Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax. In 2010, the thrash legends' toured together and had a massively successful run throughout Europe, which was documented in a two-disc DVD collection called 'The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria.' Demand was so high that the DVD set has sold well over 100,000 copies in the US since its November release.

On April 23, the Big Four will take over the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. (home of the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival) for a one-day-only US appearance by these four legendary hard rock acts. Tickets for the event go on sale Jan. 28 at 10 AM PT through Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Ticket prices are $99.00 for general admission and $199.00 for VIP. The promoters will be offering same-day shuttle service from various Southern California locations with prices in the $40.00 to $65.00 range.

The European Big Four run found Metallica and Anthrax mostly filling their set lists with material from their '80s days, while Slayer and Megadeth leaned more on their '90s and '00s respective discographies. In a June 2010 interview with Revolver magazine, Slayer axeman Kerry King said about the tour, "I think, as far as American metal, it's gotta be the most important tour that's ever happened ..." With a lineup like this, it's tough to argue with the man.