V.A-Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria (2010) 
aka: The Big Four (Sofia, 2010)
2x 720p Blu-rayRip | MKV | AVC @ 5.47 Mbps, 23.976 fps | 1280 x 720 (16:9) | 5 hr 45 min | 15.3 GB
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) @ 1509 Kbps | Subtitles: none
Director: Nick Wickham | Country: Bulgaria
Genre: Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, Live Concert The Big Four is an expression designating the 4 most important U.S.
metal bands like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax. These are also
the 4 groups best known for Thrash metal. It is since 1984 that young
fans of Thrash Metal have begun to speculate on a concert that would
combine the Big Four. Over the years, and after a few setbacks and
tensions between groups, this vision of a reunion faded. It would take
twenty-five years before new rumors, stronger and with more presence on
many sites and fan communities, resurfaced. On the occasion of the
Sonisphere Festival 2010, the legendary Big Four shared the bill for the
first time. This already legendary concert was immortalized for giving
us the Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria.
For more about Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live
from Sofia, Bulgaria and the Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The
Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria Blu-ray release, see Metallica,
Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria Blu-ray
Review published by Dr. Svet Atanasov on November 22, 2010 where this
Blu-ray release scored 4.5 out of 5.
Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria Blu-ray, Video Quality Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and
granted a 1080i "live" transfer, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax:
The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of
Warner Music.
Filmed on location at Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria, on
22 June 2010, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live
from Sofia, Bulgaria looks very good on Blu-ray. Each of the four sets
is filmed with multiple strategically positioned cameras that capture
the bands as they perform on the massive stage, as well as the fans
enjoying their idols. Generally speaking, detail is very good, clarity
pleasing, and contrast levels consistent. This being said, there are
certain image fluctuations with each of the sets. For example, during
the Megadeth set the weather does not cooperate the organizers of the
show, and it starts raining. As a result, there are some lens
reflections and tiny rain drops occasionally popping up on the screen.
The Slayer set, however, looks excellent - contrast and clarity, in
particular, are outstanding. The Metallica set, however, which is the
last one in the program, is clearly the best looking one. The stage
lighting, the pyrotechnics, and the camerawork are indeed top-notch.
Some mild motion-judder is occasionally noticeable, but it is never
distracting. There are no serious shadow issues. I also did not see any
overly disturbing video noise. Lastly, I did not detect any purely
transfer-specific technical anomalies to report in this review. To sum
it all up, this is a very strong presentation of a historic show. (Note:
This is a Region-Free Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you will be able to play
it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live from Sofia, Bulgaria Blu-ray, Audio Quality There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master
Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0. I opted for the English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
track and later on did a few random comparisons with the LPCM 2.0 track
for the purpose of this review.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is quite remarkable. The bass is incredibly
potent, the rear channels very intelligently used, and the
high-frequencies not overdone (in fact, this release is amongst the very
best in terms of high-frequency mixing). Obviously, each of the bands
has a unique sound that comes off quite differently. For example, the
balance between vocals and guitars during the Slayer set is not the same
as the one from the Metallica set, but the mixing is excellent.
Additionally, the range of dynamics the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track
introduces should impress even the most demanding amongst heavy metal
fans - the sound is never flat or anemic; on the contrary, it has
excellent depth, power, and color. Lastly, the crowd noise is strong but
never overwhelming.
The LPCM 2.0 track is decent but definitely not a match for the DTS-HD
Master Audio 5.1 track. None of the power and depth the DTS-HD Master
Audio 5.1 track allows for are possible with it. Balance and separation
are not terribly convincing either (listen to "Symphony of Destruction"
to hear how far back Dave's singing is pushed).
There is 50-minute long documentary on this Blu-ray release at the end
of which Scott Ian from Anthrax proclaims: "Now I guess when I get asked
the question, what's the best thing you've ever done, I can say getting
on stage with all those dudes in Bulgaria. It was the high point of my
career." Indeed, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax: The Big 4 - Live
from Sofia, Bulgaria is a very special show that will be remembered for
as long as Heavy Metal is around. History was made in Sofia.
The show is divided into four sections, with each of the four bands
taking the stage for approximately 60 minutes (Metallica being the only
band whose set runs at approximately 120 minutes). Trash metal legends
Anthrax are first with a strong selection of newer material and classic
tunes - "Madhouse", "Medusa", "Be All, End All", and "I Am the Law"
amongst others. The performances are intense and very energetic. With
Joey Belladonna back, Anthrax sound as good as many of their older fans
probably remember them.
Megadeth's set also mixes new material with classic tunes – "Hangar 18",
the new hit "Head Crusher", "Hook in Mouth", and "Trust" fire up Levski
Stadium. However, it is the killer "Symphony of Destruction", and
especially the legendary "Peace Sells" that get everyone jumping.
Despite some heavy rain for a portion of the set, the energy is
fantastic. I must also note that from start to finish Dave Mustaine's
voice sounds great.
Slayer, once believed to be the fastest heavy metal band, do not
disappoint either. Their set includes many of their classics hits -
"South of Heaven", "Seasons in the Abyss", "Chemical Warfare", "Raining
Blood", and even the controversial "Angel of Death" - performed with an
incredible intensity. Indeed, Tom Araya and his boys might have aged a
bit, but trust me, they have not slowed down at all.
Metallica, who visited Bulgaria a couple of years ago and were very
impressed with the warm reception, are once again greeted as kings. And
for a good reason - James, Kirk, Lars, and Robert give it their all.
During "For Whom the Bell Tolls", "Sad but True" and "Seek &
Destroy", Levski Stadium is literally rocking. However, the biggest
moment of night is the group performance of Diamond Head's classic "Am I
Evil?" by Anthrax, Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer's Dave Lombardo.
Indeed, quite a view, and really, a historic moment.
Anthrax 
1. Caught in a Mosh
2. Got the Time
3. Madhouse
4. Be All, End All
5. Antisocial
6. Indians/Heaven & Hell
7. Medusa
8. Only
9. Metal Thrashing Mad
10. I Am the Law Megadeth 
1. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
2. Hangar 18
3. Wake Up Dead
4. Head Crusher
5. In My Darkest Hour
6. Skin o' My Teeth
7. A Tout le Monde
8. Hook in Mouth
9. Trust
10. Sweating Bullets
11. Symphony of Destruction
12. Peace Sells/Holy Wars Reprise Slayer 
1. World Painted Blood
2. Jihad
3. War Ensemble
4. Hate Worldwide
5. Seasons in the Abyss
6. Angel of Death
7. Beauty Through Order
8. Disciple
9. Mandatory Suicide
10. Chemical Warfare
11. South of Heaven
12. Raining Blood Metallica 
1. Creeping Death
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls
3. Fuel
4. Harvester of Sorrow
5. Fade to Black
6. That Was Just Your Life
7. Cyanide
8. Sad but True
9. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. All Nightmare Long
11. One
12. Master of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
16. Am I Evil? (feat. Dave Lombardo, Megadeth, and Anthrax)
17. Hit the Lights
18. Seek & Destroy Disponible sólo a los usuarios 
