
Episode 37: Triple Shot... The Big Four, The Big Year, and American Carnage, featuring Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth
Explicit content warning
01/08/24 • 43 min
Episode 37: Triple Shot... The Big Four, The Big Year, and American Carnage, featuring Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth.
Yiz get three topics / three chapters this week: A lengthy compare-contrast of the Big Four thrash metal bands. We talk about the Big Four and what the word "big" means. Then we see them all in action together, in the first Big Four concerts. (Spoiler: More will follow.) Then Slayer and Megadeth and Anthrax and Testament reunite for some North American Carnage.
Two weeks ago, Slayer formally reunited with Dave Lombardo, recorded the Christ Illusion album, and won another Grammy.
Last week, Patreon supporters heard about the World Painted Blood record and Dave Lombardo's divorce, which will affect Slayer in various ways.
Next week is a long one: Slaytreon supporters get an episode called Nectrotizing Fascitis, which is about the beginning of the end of Jeff Hanneman’s time in slayer – and his very life itself.
DEEZ NOTES:
Slayer, live in Germany, Rock am Ring fest, 2010: THIS IS WICKED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2BHfmk-aKI
Slayer's set from the home video The Big Four Live from Sofia, Bulgaria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6cgarKRSas
Members of all the Big Four bands— or, in Slayer's case, A member — all jam "Am I Evil" live at an early Big Four concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__j5Z_WcVgE
Video: Behind the Scenes at the Big Four: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IseQTefp_LI
American Carnage tour announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NdSH6Lkvk
Shaky fan footage of Slayer taking the stage to "World Painted Blood" on the American Carnage tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPlsY28Qc7w
THIS SHOW IS...
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back together, and what it all meant — no, MEANS.
After Episode Nine, Patreon supporters receive every weekly episode. Free listeners get every other episode, every other week. Learn more at Patreon.com/SlayerBook.
The Talkin' Slayer podcast program show is written, deeply researched, lightly edited, and mostly rehearsed, with some production value. This is an all-killer-no-filler podcast: The episode proper begins after roughly 60 seconds of introduction, tops. No need to skip the first 15 minutes. The music changes every week.
Ferris is an award-winning writer. He has worked for Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, The AV Club, and Decibel magazine. He is a fan. He has opinions. He is the author of something like nine books, depending how you count them. Two are about Slayer. The first one is an entire book about the classic thrash album Reign in Blood, which is part of the fairly prestigious 33 1/3 book series.
His bigger Slayer book, though, is the 2023 update of the full-on band biography "Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, POSTMORTEM Edition." (This is the third edition; it was previously known as "Slayer 66 & 2/3: The Jeff and Dave Years....").
And that book is mostly what he'll be talking about when we're talkin' Slayer. Most episodes are audio adaptations of chapters from that book. Some have original and/or bonus material.
Episode 37: Triple Shot... The Big Four, The Big Year, and American Carnage, featuring Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth.
Yiz get three topics / three chapters this week: A lengthy compare-contrast of the Big Four thrash metal bands. We talk about the Big Four and what the word "big" means. Then we see them all in action together, in the first Big Four concerts. (Spoiler: More will follow.) Then Slayer and Megadeth and Anthrax and Testament reunite for some North American Carnage.
Two weeks ago, Slayer formally reunited with Dave Lombardo, recorded the Christ Illusion album, and won another Grammy.
Last week, Patreon supporters heard about the World Painted Blood record and Dave Lombardo's divorce, which will affect Slayer in various ways.
Next week is a long one: Slaytreon supporters get an episode called Nectrotizing Fascitis, which is about the beginning of the end of Jeff Hanneman’s time in slayer – and his very life itself.
DEEZ NOTES:
Slayer, live in Germany, Rock am Ring fest, 2010: THIS IS WICKED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2BHfmk-aKI
Slayer's set from the home video The Big Four Live from Sofia, Bulgaria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6cgarKRSas
Members of all the Big Four bands— or, in Slayer's case, A member — all jam "Am I Evil" live at an early Big Four concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__j5Z_WcVgE
Video: Behind the Scenes at the Big Four: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IseQTefp_LI
American Carnage tour announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NdSH6Lkvk
Shaky fan footage of Slayer taking the stage to "World Painted Blood" on the American Carnage tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPlsY28Qc7w
THIS SHOW IS...
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back together, and what it all meant — no, MEANS.
After Episode Nine, Patreon supporters receive every weekly episode. Free listeners get every other episode, every other week. Learn more at Patreon.com/SlayerBook.
The Talkin' Slayer podcast program show is written, deeply researched, lightly edited, and mostly rehearsed, with some production value. This is an all-killer-no-filler podcast: The episode proper begins after roughly 60 seconds of introduction, tops. No need to skip the first 15 minutes. The music changes every week.
Ferris is an award-winning writer. He has worked for Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, The AV Club, and Decibel magazine. He is a fan. He has opinions. He is the author of something like nine books, depending how you count them. Two are about Slayer. The first one is an entire book about the classic thrash album Reign in Blood, which is part of the fairly prestigious 33 1/3 book series.
His bigger Slayer book, though, is the 2023 update of the full-on band biography "Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, POSTMORTEM Edition." (This is the third edition; it was previously known as "Slayer 66 & 2/3: The Jeff and Dave Years....").
And that book is mostly what he'll be talking about when we're talkin' Slayer. Most episodes are audio adaptations of chapters from that book. Some have original and/or bonus material.
Previous Episode

Talkin' Slayer, Episode 35: Antichrist Superstars & Big Winners
Episode 35 arrives a little early this week, in case you’re traveling for the holidays. Today’s topics are the 2007 tour with Marilyn Manson and Slayer’s second Grammy win.
Two weeks ago, free listeners heard about the Raining Blood tours, which commemorated original drummer Dave Lombardo's formal return to the band.
Last week, Patreon supporters heard about the diabolique commemorations of 6/6/06, plus the Christ Illusion album.
This week, Slayer take it on the road with Marilyn Manson, a giant turd who made some good music in the 90s. Ferris tells you what that show was like. And, once again, Slayer shockingly win a big award from the music biz establishment.
DEEZ NOTEZ:
Slayer, live at Download, 2007, full set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hITXD71ugAY
Slayer, live at Hammersmith, 2008, full set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fNmYAl4qLA
METAL CHRISTMAS! F*KIN’ SLEIGHER! Sleigher is an awesome Christmas – sorry, Krampus – band. Here are studio Slayer covers on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SPyeqyQnVmLpjd7miADZR?si=mq1znEheS-6rke0KpcruxQ
Here’s a full live Sleigher set of Christmas vs. metal mashups, from 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVp0WkiTWWI
You want more Christmas podcast action from the douche who hosts this show? Say no more:
Here’s Ferris talking about the coal-black Christmas dramedy In Bruges, on a show with his buds from the podcast Arthouse Legends. In Bruges is a Christmas movie the way Die Hard is. Kinda: https://arthouselegends.libsyn.com/in-bruges
Here’s Ferris and the crew talking about National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: https://legendspodcast.libsyn.com/legends-podcast-502-national-lampoons-christmas-vacation-christmas-movies
YOU DON'T WANT X-MAGE, AND YOU WANT MORE METAL HISTORY PODCASTERATION? PEEP THIS:
The Thrash Metal Show, by our bud NoFriender. He puts together multi-episode runs about entire albums, individual bands, and the general history of thrash. AND he drops occasional one-off standalone episodes. If you’re commuting for the holidays, check it out. If you’re not commuting, check it out: https://www.whenitwascool.com/nofriender-thrash-metal-show-podcast
MERRY XMAS. HAPPY NEW YEAR. SEE YINZ NEXT WEEK. NEXT YEAR. SAFE TRAVELS, FRIENDS.
THIS SHOW IS...
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back together, and what it all meant — no, MEANS.
After Episode Nine, Patreon supporters receive every weekly episode. Free listeners get every other episode, every other week. Learn more at Patreon.com/SlayerBook.
The Talkin' Slayer podcast program show is written, deeply researched, lightly edited, and mostly rehearsed, with some production value. This is an all-killer-no-filler podcast: The episode proper begins after roughly 60 seconds of introduction, tops. No need to skip the first 15 minutes. The music changes every week.
Ferris is an award-winning writer. He has worked for Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, The AV Club, and Decibel magazine. He is a fan. He has opinions. He is the author of something like nine books, depending how you count them. Two are about Slayer. The first one is an entire book about the classic thrash album Reign in Blood, which is part of the fairly prestigious 33 1/3 book series.
His bigger Slayer book, though, is the 2023 update of the full-on band biography "Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, POSTMORTEM Edition." (This is the third edition; it was previously known as "Slayer 66 & 2/3: The Jeff and Dave Years....").
And that book is mostly what he'll be talking about when we're talkin' Slayer. Most episodes are audio adaptations of chapters from that book. Some have original and/or bonus material.
Ferris' Slayer books at Amazon: SlayerBio.com
Next Episode

Talkin' Slayer, Episode 39: Slayer Without Jeff... and The Big Four Concerts, Part II
Episode 39. This week, three topics: Slayer without Jeff Hanneman, which was unthinkable... until it happened. Then The Big Four Concerts, Part II, which covers the American Big Four Thrash Band shows, including Jeff’s final appearance with the group. But first, we recap what happened last week, because it was nearly fatal. And if you're not a Patreon supporter, you missed it.
DEEZ NOTEZ:
Slayer’s first show without Jeff, and with Gary. 26 February 2011, Brisbane, Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uuOiq1Ii30
Slayer, full set with Cannibal Corpse’s Pat O’Brien. 8 April 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNKQpq9PNFk
Jeff’s final performance with Slayer. 23 April, 2011:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m0YWTwnKkY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4D1nsI6COU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiT6ogA7-Bw
Slayer, Lombardo drum cam, “Disciple,” from the Big Four show at Yankee Stadium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw8ItX7J-3Y&t=230s
"Postmortem/Hate Worldwide" drum cam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgrIpPpOhMw
Slayer, “Angel of Death,” from Yankee Stadium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL9kx1K4wek
Slayer, “War Ensemble” from Yankee Stadium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQeusLCUeSk
Kerry King & Tom Araya talk to Rolling Stone about the big show in NYC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F45QFk4eTM8
Members of the Big Four jam Motörhead’s “Overkill” at the close of the NYC Big Four concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kpiHf1JuA8
Metallica’s full two-hours set from the NYC Big Four show. Pro shot and rad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbhqDjIWLpk
Megadeth at the NYC concert, “Peace Sells/Holly Wars.” Fan footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gMkQgnYyjY
Anthrax at the NYC Big Four show, fan footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-9toWlis_8
Scott Ian talks to Rolling Stone about playing Yankee Stadium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQfwWURbalk
The Andrew Stuart picture mentioned in the show... Hanneman’s last time onstage with Slayer: https://www.instagram.com/ndrewstuart/p/COBCn49DdRV/
THIS SHOW IS...
After some introductory episodes, Talkin' Slayer tells the story of the Los Angeles heavy metal institution, in chronological order: how the band happened, when things fell apart, how they put them back together, and what it all meant — no, MEANS.
After Episode Nine, Patreon supporters receive every weekly episode. Free listeners get every other episode, every other week. Learn more at Patreon.com/SlayerBook.
The Talkin' Slayer podcast program show is written, deeply researched, lightly edited, annotated, and mostly rehearsed, with some production value. This is an all-killer-no-filler podcast: The episode proper begins after roughly 60 seconds of introduction, tops. No need to skip the first 15 minutes. The music changes every week.
Ferris is an award-winning writer. He has worked for Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, The AV Club, and Decibel magazine. He is a fan. He has opinions. He is the author of something like nine books, depending how you count them. Two are about Slayer. The first one is an entire book about the classic thrash album Reign in Blood, which is part of the fairly prestigious 33 1/3 book series.
His bigger Slayer book, though, is the 2023 update of the full-on band biography "Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, POSTMORTEM Edition." (This is the third edition; ...
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/talkin-slayer-a-metal-podcast-and-half-ssed-audiobook-260342/episode-37-triple-shot-the-big-four-the-big-year-and-american-carnage-41396393"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to episode 37: triple shot... the big four, the big year, and american carnage, featuring metallica, anthrax, and megadeth on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy