The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria explained

The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria
Type:Video
Artist:Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax
Cover:The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria cover.jpg
Recorded:June 22, 2010
Venue:Vasil Levski National Stadium (Sofia, Bulgaria)
Genre:Heavy metal, thrash metal
Length:317:22
Label:Warner Bros. (U.S.)
Vertigo/Mercury (Europe)
Chronology:Metallica video
Prev Year:2009
Next Title:Quebec Magnetic
Next Year:2012

The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria is a live video with performances by Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax, the "big four" of American thrash metal.[1] The concert took place on June 22, 2010, at the Sonisphere Festival at Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria. It was shown at 450 movie theaters in the United States and over 350 movie theaters across Europe, Canada, and Latin America on June 22, 2010.

Reviews of the DVD were mostly favorable. Websites such as AllMusic and About.com were positive, though Blogcritics gave the DVD a mixed review. The DVD peaked at number one on the United States, United Kingdom, Austrian, and Canadian charts, and also charted on five other charts. It was certified gold in Germany, and provided Slayer with its first platinum certification.

Background and release

On June 16, 2010, at the Sonisphere Festival at Bemowo Airport in Warsaw, Poland, the "big four" of American thrash metal—Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax—performed together for the first time. The bandmembers (except for Slayer's Jeff Hanneman) were first photographed together on the previous day.[2] Their live concert in Bulgaria's capital, on June 22, was for one night only. Directed by Nick Wickham,[3] the event was filmed and transmitted via satellite to over 450 movie theaters in the United States and over 350 movie theaters across Europe, Canada, and Latin America, including London's famed Leicester Square.[4] Tickets were made available for around $20 at TheBigFourLive.com, which also listed the theaters where the concert was being screened.[5] Delayed screenings took place in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.[2]

The film's contents and artwork were revealed on August 25, 2010.[6] A limited-edition guitar pick was unveiled a day after the artwork was revealed.[7] The European release was initially scheduled for October 11,[8] but Metallica later announced on their official site that the European release would be pushed back to October 15, with an International release on October 18, and a North American release on October 19, 2010.[9] On September 15, it was announced that a "super deluxe" limited edition box set would be released on the same date as the regular edition,[10] and a 36-second video preview of the box set was released on September 17.[11] In mid September, publication was postponed further to a European release on October 29, an International release on November 1, and a North American release on November 2, 2010.[12] Four teaser clips from the video were released on October 12,[13] and nine days later, Metallica's performance of "Sad but True", taken from the film, was released.[14] A three-and-a-half-minute trailer was released on September 21, 2010.[15]

The Slayer title card before the band's performance is the only one of the four bands that did not feature their official logo. In addition, all Slayer members (except drummer Dave Lombardo) did not participate in the "Am I Evil?" performance due to lack of interest.[16] [17]

In 2016, Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine expressed interest in doing more Big 4 shows, although this is unlikely due to the breakup of Slayer.[18]

Event dates

Date[19] [20] CityCountryVenueBoxscoreAttendance
June 16, 2010WarsawPolandSonisphere Festival - Lotnisko Bemowo
June 18, 2010JonschwilSwitzerlandSonisphere Festival - Jonschwil Degenaupark
June 19, 2010MiloviceCzech RepublicSonisphere Festival - Milovice Airport
June 22, 2010SofiaBulgariaSonisphere Festival - Natsionalen stadion Vasil Levski
June 24, 2010AthensGreeceSonisphere Festival - Terra Vibe Park
June 26, 2010BucharestRomaniaSonisphere Festival - Complexul expozițional Romexpo
June 27, 2010IstanbulTurkeySonisphere Festival - BJK İnönü Stadyumu
April 23, 2011Indio, CaliforniaUnited StatesEmpire Polo Club$4,793,768[21] 44,205
July 2, 2011GelsenkirchenGermanyVeltins-Arena
July 3, 2011GothenburgSwedenUllevi56,000
July 6, 2011MilanItalyFiera Open Air Arena
July 8, 2011KnebworthUnited KingdomSonisphere Festival - Knebworth House
July 9, 2011AmnévilleFranceSonisphere Festival - Snowhall Parc
September 14, 2011New York CityUnited StatesYankee Stadium$5,371,167[22] 41,762

Reception

The album was received positively by music critics. Thom Jurek gave it four out of five stars in his review for AllMusic, and stated that "each [song] is incredibly energetic, clearly riding the crowd excitement of the event, and the performances are stellar without a lapse." He pointed to Anthrax's "Madhouse" and "Antisocial"; Megadeth's "Head Crusher" and the "Peace Sells/Holy Wars Reprise"; Slayer's "Angel of Death", "Seasons in the Abyss", and "Raining Blood"; and Metallica's "Fade to Black", "Creeping Death", "Master of Puppets", and "For Whom the Bell Tolls" as musical highlights, and described the encore performance of "Am I Evil?", in which members of all four bands perform, as "an historic high point."[23]

In a mixed review for Blogcritics, Chris Beaumont summed up that "Watching these promo DVDs makes me want the Blu-ray that much more. The performances are great, the sets are great, and it is hard not to get excited about these guys taking the stage together. This is metal."

Chad Bowar, writing for About.com, said that the concert was "one of the defining moments and biggest events in recent metal history" and commented that the bands "can still put on a great show" despite their age. He distinguished the styles of each band, writing: "Anthrax has a more lighthearted, fun approach, while Megadeth is 100 percent business with very little banter and focus on the music. Slayer has a more ominous vibe, although their evil mystique has lessened over the years. Metallica were very inclusive, with James Hetfield acting as everybody's favorite uncle interacting with the crowd and taking time to soak it all in."[24]

Charts and certificates

Album charts

Charts (2010)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[25] 71
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[26] 73
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[27] 3
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[28] 75
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[29] 31
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[30] 59
Swiss Music (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] [32] 63

Video charts

Charts (2010)Peak
position
Australian Video Chart[33] 1
Austrian Video Chart[34] 3
Dutch Video Chart[35] 7
German Video Chart[36] 4
Japanese Video Chart (Oricon)[37] 6
New Zealand Video Chart[38] 1
Switzerland Video Chart[39] 3
UK Music Video Chart[40] 1
US Billboard Music DVD Chart[41] 1

Certifications

CountryCertification
Australia2× Platinum[42]
BrazilPlatinum[43]
GermanyGold[44]
New ZealandGold[45]
Poland3× Platinum[46]
United States2× Platinum[47] [48]

Contents

Personnel

A complete list can be found at AllMusic.[50] Anthrax

Megadeth

Slayer

Metallica

Production and assistance

Notes and References

  1. Lee, Cosmo (2007-05-07). "Get Thrashed: The Story of Thrash Metal" . Stylus Magazine.
  2. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=141601 "METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX: The First 'Big Four' Photo"
  3. [IMDbTitle:1792588|"Metallica/Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010)"]
  4. Web site: The Big 4 Live From Sofia Bulgaria London screening Jukebox:Metal report. Andy. Lye. 2010. 2013-07-22. 2010-07-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20100707095817/http://www.jukeboxmetal.com/2010/the-big-four-live/. dead.
  5. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=140448 "METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX: 'Big Four' Coming To A Theater Near You"
  6. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145101 "'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria' Artwork, Track Listing Revealed"
  7. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145154 "'The Big Four' Limited-Edition Guitar Pick Unveiled"
  8. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=144550 "'The Big Four: Live From Sonisphere 2010' DVD, Blu-ray U.K. Release Date Announced"
  9. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=145026 "'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria': More DVD Details Revealed"
  10. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=146083 "'The Big Four' Super Deluxe Box Set: First Photo Available"
  11. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=146245 "'The Big Four' Super Deluxe Box Set: Video Footage Of Packaging Posted Online"
  12. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=146342 "'The Big Four' DVD: New Release Dates Announced"
  13. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=147579 "'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria': Four New Teaser Clips Released"
  14. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=148087 "'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria': Four New Teaser Clips Released"
  15. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=146442 "'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria': New DVD Trailer Released"
  16. Web site: Blabbermouth.com. SLAYER's KERRY KING Regrets Not Taking Part In 'Am I Evil?' Performance In Sofia. Blabbermouth.com. 2 November 2010. 22 July 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075932/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slayer-s-kerry-king-regrets-not-taking-part-in-am-i-evil-performance-in-sofia/. live.
  17. Web site: Rosenberg. Axl. KERRY KING BLAMES JEFF HANNEMAN AND TOM ARAYA FOR HIS NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE BIG FOUR JAM. MetalSucks. 27 September 2010. 22 July 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134526/http://www.metalsucks.net/2010/09/27/kerry-king-blames-jeff-hanneman-and-tom-araya-for-his-not-participating-in-the-big-four-jam/. live.
  18. Web site: Mustaine . Dave . Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine reviews Metallica’s Hardwired… To Self-Destruct . Louder Sound . Metal Hammer . 1 August 2023.
  19. Web site: Megadeth.com . Megadeth.com . 2011-02-25 . 2011-01-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110130051008/http://www.megadeth.com/killingroad2010.php . live .
  20. Web site: Megadeth.com . Megadeth.com . 2011-02-25 . 2013-05-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130522063445/http://www.megadeth.com/killingroad.php . live .
  21. Web site: Top-Grossing Concerts Mid-Year. www.coachella.com. 2012-07-17. 2013-07-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20130721045420/http://www.coachella.com/forum/showthread.php?49603-Top-Grossing-Concerts-Mid-Year&s=e11bcdbfb8442c1c0a5a8a81935d8546. live.
  22. Web site: Interesting Billboard Boxscore - Page 3 - FasterLouder.com.au . 2012-07-17 . 2013-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131008034627/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=40100&page=3 . live .
  23. Jurek, Thom. "The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria" . AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  24. Bower, Chad (2010-11-25). "The Big 4: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria DVD Review" . About.com.
  25. Web site: Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 15th November 2010. 2010-11-15. Australian Recording Industry Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20101119103528/http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm. 2010-11-19. 2010-11-16. live.
  26. Web site: Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live From Sofia, Bulgaria . ultratop.be . 2011-01-29 . 2012-10-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121026065327/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+-+Live+From+Sofia,+Bulgaria&cat=a . live .
  27. L'Écho de Repentigny. 2010-11-18. 36. fr.
  28. Web site: Steffen Hung . Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live From Sofia, Bulgaria . dutchcharts.nl . 2008-08-17 . 2011-01-29 . 2012-07-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120718182703/http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+%2D+Live+From+Sofia%2C+Bulgaria&cat=a . live .
  29. Web site: Steffen Hung . Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live From Sofia, Bulgaria . finnishcharts.com . 2008-08-17 . 2011-01-29 . 2012-10-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121012222723/http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+%2D+Live+From+Sofia%2C+Bulgaria&cat=a . live .
  30. Web site: Offizielle Deutsche Charts. offiziellecharts.de. de. 2021-10-26. 2021-10-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027012702/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-143549. live.
  31. Web site: Steffen Hung . Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live From Sofia, Bulgaria . Swisscharts.com . 2011-01-29 . 2012-01-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120129045021/http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+%2D+Live+From+Sofia%2C+Bulgaria&cat=a . live .
  32. Web site: Steffen Hung . Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live From Sofia, Bulgaria . hitparade.ch . 2010-11-14 . 2011-01-29 . 2011-11-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111125231230/http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+%2D+Live+From+Sofia%2C+Bulgaria&cat=a . live .
  33. Web site: The ARIA Report: Issue 1080 (Week Commencing 8 November 2010). https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20101120130100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20101121-0001/Issue1080.pdf. dead. 2010-11-20. Australian Recording Industry Association. 23. September 27, 2021.
  34. Web site: Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria. Hung Medien. de. September 27, 2021. September 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200925232441/https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+-+Live+From+Sofia%2C+Bulgaria+%5BDVD%5D&cat=a. live.
  35. Web site: Metallica / Slayer / Megadeth / Anthrax - The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria. Hung Medien. nl. September 27, 2021. December 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151223051221/http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Metallica+%2F+Slayer+%2F+Megadeth+%2F+Anthrax&titel=The+Big+4+%2D+Live+From+Sofia%2C+Bulgaria+%5BDVD%5D&cat=a. live.
  36. Web site: Suche - Offizielle Deutsch Charts. GfK Entertainment charts. de. 2021-10-26. 2021-10-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027012659/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-143550. live.
  37. Web site: ザ・ビッグ・フォー～史上最強の夜!～ メガデス. The Big Four Live from Sofia Bulgaria Megadeth. Oricon. ja. 2021-10-04. 2021-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20211004203135/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/168428/products/885306/1/. live.
  38. Web site: Top 10 Music DVDs Chart: Chart #1746 (Monday 8 November 2010) . . November 12, 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131112203805/http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp?chartNum=1746&chartKind=D . November 12, 2013.
  39. Web site: https://hitparade.ch/album/Metallica-_-Slayer-_-Megadeth-_-Anthrax/The-Big-4-Live-From-Sofia,-Bulgaria-[DVD-143550 Sofia, Bulgaria [DVD]]. Hung Medien. de. 2021-10-26. 2021-10-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20211027062610/https://hitparade.ch/album/Metallica-_-Slayer-_-Megadeth-_-Anthrax/The-Big-4-Live-From-Sofia,-Bulgaria-%5BDVD%5D-143550. live.
  40. Web site: Video Archive Chart . . 2010-11-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120911131301/http://www.theofficialcharts.com/video-archive-chart/_/29/2010-11-13/ . live . 2012-09-11.
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  43. Web site: certificados. 2012-03-16. 2014-10-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20141030225353/http://www.abpd.org.br/certificados_interna.asp?sArtista=Metallica. live.
  44. Germany. The Big Four: Live from Sofia.
  45. Web site: Latest Gold / Platinum DVDs – RadioScope New Zealand . September 27, 2021 . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20110728144027/http://www.radioscope.net.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75&Itemid=65 . July 28, 2011.
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  47. Web site: Gold & Platinum - January 08, 2011 . . 2011-01-08 . 2015-09-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154248/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=13&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=on&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=2010&endYear=2011&sort=CertificationDate&perPage=50 . live .
  48. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=152012 "'The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria' DVD Certified Double Platinum In U.S."
  49. The Big 4 Live from Sofia, Bulgaria . Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax . 2010 . DVD . Warner Bros..
  50. Web site: The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria – Slayer . AllMusic . 2011-01-02.

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