Slayer guitarist Kerry King has told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine that he has heard through the grapevine that Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich is plotting a tour that would include Metallica, Megadeth , Slayer and Anthrax. more

Then Blabbermouth) Megadeth's Dave Mustaine was asked during an interview about the rumored "Big Four" tour that would feature Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Dave being Dave, he had A LOT to say about the rumor: "I don't know... I think anything is possible. But the whole beauty of what we did with the 'Clash Of The Titans' [U.S. tour in 1991] was the three of us [Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax], we really had a common thread that ran through all of us and we were very close in a lot of different areas. Of course, Metallica's success really put them in a kind of unapproachable position where they were just so high in stature, we kind of were all left behind, if you know what I mean. But not saying that in a bad way, because I'm totally satiated with my success right now; I'm very happy with what I've done in my life. Going into what the 'Clash Of The Titans' was, we all had this mutual respect, and we all rotated. And the lineup was always the same — Anthrax played before Megadeth, and Megadeth always played before Slayer. So whoever was headlining, the rotation swapped. Like, if Slayer was headlining, it would be Anthrax, me, then Slayer. If I was headlining, Slayer would open, then Anthrax, then me. Now, I don't know that, because of the stature of Metallica versus [the other three bands], if it would really be a balanced kind of four-way show, you know what I'm saying? . . . [But] I'm not gonna rule anything out.

And as much as I'm trying to tap-dance around in this, it's just gossip and rumors. It would be foolish of me as a businessman to not take that opportunity, and it would be dumb of me as a bandleader to not do that for the guys in my group and for the fans of the band." more

Then Metromix conducted an interview earlier this week with Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo where they discussed the rumor of a possible Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax tour. Here is part of that exchange:

Metromix: There's a rumor going around now about the four classic thrash bands (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax ) touring together. How would you feel about being part of that?

Trujillo: I think it's great. We've had a few different conversations on the subject. I'm friends with (Slayer's) Kerry King and had dinner with him a few months back, and it came up there. I think (Megadeth's) Dave Mustaine is amazing. I've never had a problem with him personally. I think it'd be great if Metallica shared the stage with his band. Metallica's still great friends with (Anthrax's) Scott Ian. There's a lot of history there. I think it'd be great for metal. I don't think all four bands have played together at the same time.

Metromix: So there's truth to the rumor?

Trujillo: There is, but nothing's concrete. It's not a sealed deal. We're working on it. more

Shortly after, Kirk came an rained on the parade: The much-rumored Big Four thrash metal tour is not going to happen, says Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett, who told the WKLS Project 9-6-1 Morning Show with El Jefe and Shaffee: "That tour is not gonna happen. I've been hearing that. We've all been hearing it for a while. I get asked regularly. It's a good idea and I can see the significance of playing a tour like that." He says. "There's conflicting schedules, conflicting personalities - a lot of conflicting things. It's not gonna happen."