Damn...I'm going to see the Big 4...

[Fire breath]

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in a cinema!!!! Should be fun if a little weird. Had to pay £15.75 which is a little bit more than you'd pay for a movie here but it's gonna be a long night and I think it's just about worth it since this tour is not coming to the UK. It starts at 6 and finishes at 10.30 or 11 or so. It's on Tuesday night and apparently the sound is gonna be amazing and all that with a state of the art surround sound cinema. I wonder if some one will start a moshpit in the Royal Circle?

 

[GoRillaBoy76]

You know I want to say that I dont like this whole go to the movies thing to see a filmed concert, but to be honest if came anywhere near me, I would be tempted to go myself. So hope you have fun.

 

[SeaStorm]

I decided not to go (there's 5 or 6 theaters doing it in my metro area). Looking forward to reports post-Tuesday to hear if I should be kicking myself or not.

 

[kellsco]

Ours does not start until 7:30 on Tuesday. Going to be a rough Wednesday..

 

[nomisofsiman]

I'm looking forward to this. I like the idea, I'm just wondering how many people will show up.

 

[labrekk]

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in a cinema!!!! Should be fun if a little weird. Had to pay £15.75 which is a little bit more than you'd pay for a movie here but it's gonna be a long night and I think it's just about worth it since this tour is not coming to the UK. It starts at 6 and finishes at 10.30 or 11 or so. It's on Tuesday night and apparently the sound is gonna be amazing and all that with a state of the art surround sound cinema. I wonder if some one will start a moshpit in the Royal Circle?

I'm going with 3 of my buddies too. Starts at 7PM local time here. Should be fun.

 

[seh750]

I'm going to miss the big four as I'm doing a motorcycle track day on Tuesday. But I'm seeing Megadeth and Slayer in September so don't feel like I'm missing out that much. Although I haven't seen Metallica in nearly twenty years.

Anyhow, I did one of these Fathom Events concerts in a movie theater thing before. It was Black Eyed Peas (wife's pick). And you know, other than the distinct lack of alcohol, it was pretty cool. Much better view than you'd normally get at a large show and the sound quality was great! Only thing that annoyed me was they bleeped the dirty words. Except they got the timing wrong so it'd be (silence)F*** (silence)F***. Kinda accentuated it.

The crowd was quiet and mellow like a movie at first, but some teens in the back started cheering between songs and after awhile the entire crowd got into it.

Definitely not the same energy as a live show, but if you can't make the real thing, it's a decent substitute.


Side note: some dude at the theater last night (saw A Team) didn't like me singing along with Master of Puppets for the Big 4 promo. Apparently I don't sing as well as Hetfield...

 

[nomisofsiman]

I'm going to miss the big four as I'm doing a motorcycle track day on Tuesday. But I'm seeing Megadeth and Slayer in September so don't feel like I'm missing out that much. Although I haven't seen Metallica in nearly twenty years.

Anyhow, I did one of these Fathom Events concerts in a movie theater thing before. It was Black Eyed Peas (wife's pick). And you know, other than the distinct lack of alcohol, it was pretty cool. Much better view than you'd normally get at a large show and the sound quality was great! Only thing that annoyed me was they bleeped the dirty words. Except they got the timing wrong so it'd be (silence)F*** (silence)F***. Kinda accentuated it.

The crowd was quiet and mellow like a movie at first, but some teens in the back started cheering between songs and after awhile the entire crowd got into it.

Definitely not the same energy as a live show, but if you can't make the real thing, it's a decent substitute.


Side note: some dude at the theater last night (saw A Team) didn't like me singing along with Master of Puppets for the Big 4 promo. Apparently I don't sing as well as Hetfield...

That's interesting that they would bleep (or rather, fail to bleep) lyrics at one of these things. I hope that isn't the cast for Tuesday.

I don't have a problem with this though. I mean, no it isn't the same thing as going to the real thing, but if you can't make the Big Four concerts, this is a fine substitute in my book.

 

[Fire breath]

Well it wasn't that great but it was ok I suppose. It just felt weird to me although the sound was very good in the main. The cinema was probably a quarter full if that. It's a really massive cinema though the Odeon in Leicester Sq. I'd say it's capacity is around 2000 so about 350 or so I'd guess turned up. Most of them were on the upper deck I think as the lower deck had maybe 100 people tops. The seats were numbered but you could more or less sit anywhere you liked after a while and I moved a little closer. I'm not quite sure how live this broadcast was as there was no gaps between each band to speak of.

Anthrax were ok. I am not a fan of the band but they have some energetic songs. Belladonna's voice was sometimes a bit strained but he sang ok. The band is pretty tight and the sound was ok. The band was in solid form but I just don't know the songs too well.

Megadeth were up next. Musically they were very tight. Dave looked a bit tense at first and there was hardly a word spoken and they just ran straight through the songs. I am a huge megafan but I have to admit Dave's live vocals were laughable at times when trying to do the higher notes. The meaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwws he was coming out with would have half frightened to death any cats in the neighbourhood. When he did the straighter and Mr. Snarly vocals he was much better but still no great shakes. I think because his voice is paper thin and the live sound is swirly in the wind he sounds even worse than you would think. Plus the heavens opened during megadeth's set big style. I can't fault them musically but they did look a touch pedestrian but I guess when you're pushing 50 you can't be that energetic and they never have been the most animated. Very tight and a great short set but expected better.

Slayer were fucking mental. Not sure the Bulgarians were that into it though. I think maybe Slayer is not that popular there. They played fucking fast and that's about it. Tom Araya looked happy though but very calm and pedestrian. After his back problems he no longer headbangs like a maniac. He smiled a lot though and thanked the crowd a lot. Raining Blood at the end was awesome though. The sound for their set was just loud and a little unclear but that's probably cause they played the songs at warpspeed and it was just a blur of speed at times. A blistering set but not much in the way of subtlety.

Metallica got a huge ovation. I have heard other people say they weren't tight but they were ok in my book. They had the best sound of the night by miles. The setlist was cool. I was pleased to hear Harvester of Sorrow which sounded great.James vocals were ok not brilliant but ok. Sometimes a bit off but acceptable. His playing was top notch. Lars was doing his usual face puling and tongue sticking out routine whilst sweating like he's been in a sauna for 6 hours! James mentioned that this would be recorded live for a big 4 dvd so you can spot all the fuck ups later on. I didn't notice too many but obviously there were some as he wouldn't have said it otherwise. One was great. By the way I should say that about 20-30 kids in the cinema were forming their own mini moshpit up at the front of the cinema. It was quite fun as 2 girls from the cinema staff tried to get them to come down. Yeah right! As if two little girls are gonna get that lot to behave. Actually it was quite fun watching the screan and the little moshers in the front and a few people were taking photos of course.

The best part of the night was the Am I Evil jam between most of the big 4 members. Slayer were under-represented though. Only Lombardo helped on the drums, no Kerry of Jeff although Tom was on stage but didn't sing or play bass that I saw but he had a big grin on his face. In fact I must say that Tom looks ready for retirement any day now. He was smiling and taking it all in as if to say these days are to be cherished as this is an end of an era. Every other big 4 guy was there though. James, Dave and Joey took turns singing the song. It was a pretty magical moment and when it was over there was seemed to be genuine emotion in the hugs and kisses all round as if this was a once in a lifetime moment which would probably never be repeated. I think there is still a little bit of tension and rivalry between the bands however much they say there isn't. Slayer especially seem a little uptight, but I could be wrong.

Soon it was all over and Metallica had delivered well in the end. I would put the bands in this order in overall performance IMO. Of course I can well imagine someone else putting them in a different order.

1. Metallica
2. Megadeth
3. Anthrax
4. Slayer

 

[nomisofsiman]

Well it wasn't that great but it was ok I suppose. It just felt weird to me although the sound was very good in the main. The cinema was probably a quarter full if that. It's a really massive cinema though the Odeon in Leicester Sq. I'd say it's capacity is around 2000 so about 350 or so I'd guess turned up. Most of them were on the upper deck I think as the lower deck had maybe 100 people tops. The seats were numbered but you could more or less sit anywhere you liked after a while and I moved a little closer. I'm not quite sure how live this broadcast was as there was no gaps between each band to speak of.

Anthrax were ok. I am not a fan of the band but they have some energetic songs. Belladonna's voice was sometimes a bit strained but he sang ok. The band is pretty tight and the sound was ok. The band was in solid form but I just don't know the songs too well.

Megadeth were up next. Musically they were very tight. Dave looked a bit tense at first and there was hardly a word spoken and they just ran straight through the songs. I am a huge megafan but I have to admit Dave's live vocals were laughable at times when trying to do the higher notes. The meaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwws he was coming out with would have half frightened to death any cats in the neighbourhood. When he did the straighter and Mr. Snarly vocals he was much better but still no great shakes. I think because his voice is paper thin and the live sound is swirly in the wind he sounds even worse than you would think. Plus the heavens opened during megadeth's set big style. I can't fault them musically but they did look a touch pedestrian but I guess when you're pushing 50 you can't be that energetic and they never have been the most animated. Very tight and a great short set but expected better.

Slayer were fucking mental. Not sure the Bulgarians were that into it though. I think maybe Slayer is not that popular there. They played fucking fast and that's about it. Tom Araya looked happy though but very calm and pedestrian. After his back problems he no longer headbangs like a maniac. He smiled a lot though and thanked the crowd a lot. Raining Blood at the end was awesome though. The sound for their set was just loud and a little unclear but that's probably cause they played the songs at warpspeed and it was just a blur of speed at times. A blistering set but not much in the way of subtlety.

Metallica got a huge ovation. I have heard other people say they weren't tight but they were ok in my book. They had the best sound of the night by miles. The setlist was cool. I was pleased to hear Harvester of Sorrow which sounded great.James vocals were ok not brilliant but ok. Sometimes a bit off but acceptable. His playing was top notch. Lars was doing his usual face puling and tongue sticking out routine whilst sweating like he's been in a sauna for 6 hours! James mentioned that this would be recorded live for a big 4 dvd so you can spot all the fuck ups later on. I didn't notice too many but obviously there were some as he wouldn't have said it otherwise. One was great. By the way I should say that about 20-30 kids in the cinema were forming their own mini moshpit up at the front of the cinema. It was quite fun as 2 girls from the cinema staff tried to get them to come down. Yeah right! As if two little girls are gonna get that lot to behave. Actually it was quite fun watching the screan and the little moshers in the front and a few people were taking photos of course.

The best part of the night was the Am I Evil jam between most of the big 4 members. Slayer were under-represented though. Only Lombardo helped on the drums, no Kerry of Jeff although Tom was on stage but didn't sing or play bass that I saw but he had a big grin on his face. In fact I must say that Tom looks ready for retirement any day now. He was smiling and taking it all in as if to say these days are to be cherished as this is an end of an era. Every other big 4 guy was there though. James, Dave and Joey took turns singing the song. It was a pretty magical moment and when it was over there was seemed to be genuine emotion in the hugs and kisses all round as if this was a once in a lifetime moment which would probably never be repeated. I think there is still a little bit of tension and rivalry between the bands however much they say there isn't. Slayer especially seem a little uptight, but I could be wrong.

Soon it was all over and Metallica had delivered well in the end. I would put the bands in this order in overall performance IMO. Of course I can well imagine someone else putting them in a different order.

1. Metallica
2. Megadeth
3. Anthrax
4. Slayer

I don't know, I found Slayer to be the best band performance-wise. Yeah, the fans there might not be as into them, but they were very tight live I thought. Anthrax I just plain out do not like. I also felt the Dio tribute was out of place, but even then if they just did that and that would be the end of it, okay. However, Belladonna continued to do the "Heaven and Hell" after like two more songs and the end. I found that ridiculous.

You nailed it though as far as Dave's vocals being inconsistent. I enjoyed it but his vocals did distract sometimes. Metallica was good, but I wouldn't say it was their best performance. The "Am I Evil" part was especially good though, even though most of Slayer, outside of Lombardo didn't play it.

I do think there is some major ill will between Slayer and at least one of the bands. It would be one thing if it was just that they didn't play "Am I Evil". For all we know, they could not like that song and didn't want to play it; however, the interview segments beforehand and during the Dio tribute point to that there is bad blood. Kerry was in a completely different interview, whereas Lars, Mustaine and Ian all did one interview together. Seems a little suspicious to me.

 

[Pelata]

Maybe King was in the crapper? LOL!

 

[Fire breath]

Yeah Slayer just looks a bit preposterous to me on stage being all evil and blasting. I don't mean Tom though who seems to be acting his age but the two guitarists are getting old and still trying too hard to be evil or whatever. Slayer's image always seems stupid and laughable to me. To be fair they deliver the goods and have probably sold out the least of the big 4 in a way, but their style of thrash has no subtlety and their riffing style is easy to call plus their solos are useless to me being just a bunch of noise. At least the two M bands can come up with a little melody here and there and have more songwriting ability. Maybe it's just me though as I just don't like Slayer much at all and never have done really though I like Reign in Blood of course but then who doesn't. The funny thing is I like modern Slayer influenced thrash bands a lot but don't like the real thing any more. They have quite a few imitators who do it better than them IMO.

 

[ratanda]

By the way I should say that about 20-30 kids in the cinema were forming their own mini moshpit up at the front of the cinema. It was quite fun as 2 girls from the cinema staff tried to get them to come down. Yeah right! As if two little girls are gonna get that lot to behave. Actually it was quite fun watching the screan and the little moshers in the front and a few people were taking photos of course.

Haha, awesome.

 

[Jasonic]

Here's what was going through their heads during rehearsals.

 

[Fire breath]

Is it just me or does Dave look like he's got some decent manboobs on the go there!

 

[Bryant]

The big four should be Megadeth Slayer Metallica and Testament. I am not knocking Anthrax, but I think they are a better fit with the other three and still were quite popular in their heyday.

To get back on topic, then off again.... I would like to see something like that at least once in my life. Sounds cool.

I did once go to a local laser light show, that had some hard rock like early Johnson era AC/DC, early Alice and Chains and some Pink Floyd etc. It was freaking awesome. Me and some other guys went up to the stage and were headbanging to the music and lasers. I had an absolute blast.


Bryant

 

[nomisofsiman]

The big four should be Megadeth Slayer Metallica and Testament. I am not knocking Anthrax, but I think they are a better fit with the other three and still were quite popular in their heyday.

To get back on topic, then off again.... I would like to see something like that at least once in my life. Sounds cool.

I did once go to a local laser light show, that had some hard rock like early Johnson era AC/DC, early Alice and Chains and some Pink Floyd etc. It was freaking awesome. Me and some other guys went up to the stage and were headbanging to the music and lasers. I had an absolute blast.


Bryant

Yeah, I've never understood the appeal of Anthrax like I said. I think Testament would be the right choice. Now thinking back, I remember Kerry saying a while back that he thought it should be Exodus instead of Anthrax so I don't know if that's part of it or not. I never really listened to Exodus, so I can't say whether they would be a good replacement or not.

 

[templeofmax]

Yes, it was a bit tiring at the end for me, even though Metallica is my number one band. I just know those songs by heart. For some reason when I saw them live a yeas and a half ago and now in the theater I thought Kirk messed up One for a bit there. Is it just me?? He sounded a bit off tempo during the solo at the end. Slayer, too much of the same. My least favorite of the four. And I did think a the end that Testament would have been an awesome addition. Also, Slayer should have come before Megadeth and not the other way around!!! Maybe Kerry and Jeff couldn't be there for am I evil cause they were eating. I think Jeff has been hanging too much with Kerry, he does look much different than his cover shoot for Guitar World a coupe of years ago. I couldn't have managed to be standing there for 7 hours or so than people stood for in the middle of the crowd....tooo damn much!!!

 

[nomisofsiman]

Also, Slayer should have come before Megadeth and not the other way around!!! Maybe Kerry and Jeff couldn't be there for am I evil cause they were eating. I think Jeff has been hanging too much with Kerry, he does look much different than his cover shoot for Guitar World a coupe of years ago. I couldn't have managed to be standing there for 7 hours or so than people stood for in the middle of the crowd....tooo damn much!!!

There are arguments for both. I think the reason why Slayer is before Metallica is that I think overall they probably have sold more. I'm just guessing but that's my take on it.

And yeah, you're right on Jeff. He's looking pretty, well, fat right now. I was quite shocked about that when I saw it.

 

[VenomGA]

There are arguments for both. I think the reason why Slayer is before Metallica is that I think overall they probably have sold more. I'm just guessing but that's my take on it.

And yeah, you're right on Jeff. He's looking pretty, well, fat right now. I was quite shocked about that when I saw it.

think you mean Slayer on before Megadeth NOT METALLICA