Megadeth ProfileMegadeth ringleader Dave Mustaine has revealed who his picks would be if the music were to name the next “Big Four” of thrash metal.
From approximately 1985 through to 1992, thrash metal grew commercially successful and brought prominence to bands such as Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. The bands were then grouped together and named the “Big Four” of thrash metal acts hailing from the US.
But what happens when those four bands stop touring? Who carries the torch then? Dave Mustaine has answered the question, naming Testament, Overkill, Exodus, and Trivium as his choices.
In a recent interview on the Czech music television channel Ocko, he named his personal “Big Four,” while acknowledging that it “wouldn’t be a young generation.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be a young generation, but I do believe that there are ways to do a new ‘Big Four,’” the Symphony of Destruction hitmaker said (via Blabbermouth). He continued, “I think that Testament, I think Overkill, I think Exodus, and maybe Trivium; I don’t know.
“Trivium’s not really a thrash metal band, so I’d have to think about that. But I think those other three guys would be really great.”
Adding that he’s always loved playing with Testament, Mustaine also outlined Overkill’s importance on the “East Coast metal scene.”
He explained, “Overkill is really important on the East Coast metal scene. Exodus, of course, I love Exodus. And I’ve been friends with Gary [Holt, Exodus guitarist] the longest of all people that I’ve been friends with in the music industry.
“And Testament. Eric [Peterson, Testament guitarist], Alex [Skolnick, Testament guitarist], those guys are really great guitar players. And I love when we get a chance to play with the band.”
While Megadeth released their final album earlier this year – an energetic self-titled record – Mustaine feels like he still has more to give, especially in a live performance setting.
“It doesn’t feel like the end is nigh,” he told The Music in a recent interview. “It feels like we’ve got a lot left to accomplish. So, the shows that we have left to play, we’re going to give it our absolute all.”
Keep your eyes peeled for The Music’s forthcoming interview with Mustaine, coming soon.
Megadeth return to Australia in November as special guests for Iron Maiden on their Run For Your Lives Tour – a 50th anniversary run that commemorates the British heavy metal icons’ first nine albums.
