New York’s Anthrax is considered a part of “The Big 4” of thrash metal (along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth) for a very good reason. They were among the very first purveyors of the genre and even if they can’t take credit for inventing it, they have certainly had a huge hand in refining the form. Through 35 years and numerous lineup changes this quintuplet has been responsible for some of the most iconic thrash songs ever recorded.

Anthrax has recently released its eleventh album via Nuclear Blast Records. The disc is titled For All Kings and it is their strongest offering in years. It is also the first Anthrax record to include the contributions of former Shadows Fall guitarist Jonathan Donais.

Earlier this week, it was teased that The Big 4 tour — comprised of top thrash metal acts Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax — would be coming to America. When the announcement was made yesterday, it turned out to be only one U.S. concert date in Indio, California on April 23, 2011 [read: WTF? The Big 4 To Play A Small 1: Only One U.S. Show Announced], much to the dismay of metalheads across the nation.

We’ve all been left wondering WHY there’s only one U.S. concert being offered when it’s obvious there’s a demand for this bill in America. Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich gave an explanation for this in a Los Angeles radio station interview.

On yesterday’s “The Kevin & Bean Show” on KROQ-FM (106.7), Ulrich said, “Let’s take baby steps here.”

Metal fans and followers will remember that yesterday we posted news that The Big 4 (meaning Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer) would be making a major announcement today via their Facebook page regarding a U.S. tour dates. Everybody assumed, justifiably so, that it would be the announcement of a major Big 4 U.S. tour. Boy, were we way off, and the resulting rampage of fury and anger from metalheads across the country should make the so-called Big 4 hang their heads in shame!

It turns out that the “major” announcement was that the 4 bands would be playing a show. That’s “a” show. As in one. Singular. Uno.

The Big 4 will be playing their one show in Indio, California on April 23, 2011, at the Empire Polo Club and…

Wait, what? A club? The Empire Polo Club doesn’t seem to have seating charts in many places in the short Google search I did, but one report I found mentioned a capacity of no more than 1,000*. I cannot vouch for the reliability and accuracy of that information, but if there is any validity to it, why choose such a lame venue for one show?