Why No More Big Four Shows? “Politics of Character in One Particular Band,” Says Slayer’s Tom Araya

Okay, amateur sleuths, time to do some sleuthin’!

In a new interview with The Gazette, Slayer’s Tom Araya explains that any future Big Four shows will most likely exist solely in metal fans’ imaginations. Given that the previous Big Four shows were so successful, what oh what could cause the bands to never do one again? Sez Araya:

“I don’t want to say politics is preventing that. It’s not the politics between bands; it’s the politics of character in one particular band. We had an issue that came up on the New York show, which really freaked everybody out, but the New York show happened. I think, in all honesty, that was the last time we did the Big Four. I think another Big Four show might not happen. They could prove me wrong. Those shows basically, even though it was called the Big Four, it was done through Metallica. It was with Metallica’s blessing that allowed those shows to happen. If they want to continue and do a couple more shows, I think that would be great … if we were to sit down with them and communicate with them, that’s what I’d tell them.”

So, of course, this begs the question: to whom is Araya referring? He makes it sound like it’s someone in Metallica, and on some level, that would make sense, because, as Araya says, “It was with Metallica’s blessing that allowed those shows to happen.” Metallica are MASSIVE, and it should surprise no one at that the end of the day, they’re pretty much “in charge,” for lack of a better term.

Still, I don’t think Araya is talking about Metallica. If I were a bettin’ man, my money would be on — SHOCKER!!! — Dave Mustaine and Megadeth. Why? Well, as Metal Insider so wisely points out, Mustaine nearly cancelled Megadeth’s appearance at the gig due to a neck injury (he has credited Christ Our Lord with getting him to Yankee Stadium that fateful day despite the most grievous of wounds):

“With Gary Holt filling in for Slayer, his bandmates in Exodus were even flown in as a last minute replacement, but were yanked when Megadeth played on as planned. ‘I just felt bad for Exodus, ’cause they were on the bill. They were working on flights. And that got yanked. I mean, Gary [Holt, Exodus guitarist] is gonna be here anyway, but the band Exodus, I felt bad for them,’ Kerry King said in an interview that took place at Yankee Stadium.”

If Mustaine were, indeed, the source of Araya’s discomfit, that would imply the Megadick was really just being a pain in the neck more than suffering from a pain in the neck. Mustaine is such a colossal gaping anus that I wouldn’t be shocked if it was ego and not actual injury which nearly prevented him from performing that afternoon, but that’s obviously just conjecture on my part.

The other possibility is that Anthrax are holding up more Big Four concerts, but let’s be real, Anthrax are absolutely not holding up more Big Four concerts.

So, who do you think it is — ‘Tallica or ‘Deth? Speculate recklessly in the comments section below!