Metal Sucks posed a question this week: If The Big Four were The Big 8, which bands would be the next four in the group?

If you’re unaware, The Big 4 Tour is comprised of thrash metal giants Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. The tour is scheduled to arrive in just one city this April in the United States, much to the dismay of metalheads across the nation who wanted the tour to hit more cities.

I’ve seen some reactions from fans who aren’t in total agreement with this touring line-up, stating that not every band on the bill fits the “Big 4” mold. I happened to think it’s a great bill, but I’ve wondered what other bands would fit nicely on this tour.

So, if The Big 4 Tour was actually The Big 8 Tour, what four additional bands do you think deserve to be on it?

Check out my picks below and let me know what yours would be.

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?

MEGADETH
That One Night: Live in Buenos Aires
Image Entertainment
Release date: Sept. 4, 2007

I’m going to tell you right from the beginning — I unapologetically love Megadeth.

I remember clearly that day back in 1985 when I discovered them. I was combing the “metal” LP bins at my local record store when I came across Killing Is My Business … And Business Is Good, which boasted a sticker on the cover stating that it was the debut album from former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine‘s new band. That’s all I needed to know. Seven bucks later, the low-production quality of opening tune “Last Rites/Loved To Deth” was blaring through my speakers, Mustaine’s raspy voice screaming, “I loved you to deth!!!”

Mustaine’s connection to Metallica — more specially, that Mustaine was fired from the pre-recording contract line-up of Metallica — has followed the Megadeth front man throughout his career, but not always to his benefit. Throughout the 1980s, a feud between Mustaine and his former bandmates was fought out in public during magazine interviews, which prompted thrash metal fans to take sides. But while Metallica spent much of the 90s in musical experimentation (much to the dismay of fans), Megadeth stayed true their metal roots, releasing now platinum albums Rust In Peace, Symphony of Destruction, and Youthanasia.

While Megadeth has endured numerous line-up changes, the long-red-maned Mustaine, who turns 46 today, has been the band’s one constant driving force, writing most of the music and lyrics. Even when in 2002 Mustaine suffered an arm injury which doctors believed would prevent him from ever playing guitar again, the singer/guitarist went through physical therapy to once again shred!

In 2005, California native Mustaine, along with guitarist Glen Drover, drummer Shawn Drover, and then-bassist James MacDonough, recorded That One Night – Live in Buenos Aires live at Obras Stadium in Argentina in front of 25,000 screaming — and I mean screaming — fans.