Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has offered his perspective on which bands could potentially form a modern iteration of the legendary 'Big Four' of thrash metal. The original collective—comprising Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax—defined the genre in the 1980s, eventually uniting for a series of historic performances in 2010 and 2011.
In a recent interview with the Czech outlet Óčko, Mustaine discussed the possibility of a new generation of thrash leaders. While he noted that the concept wouldn't necessarily involve a younger demographic, he identified specific acts that carry the requisite weight and influence. "I think Testament, I think Overkill, I think Exodus, and maybe Trivium," Mustaine suggested. He expressed some hesitation regarding Trivium, noting their stylistic leanings toward metalcore, but remained enthusiastic about the other three candidates.
Mustaine highlighted the enduring importance of these bands within the metal community. He specifically praised Overkill for their impact on the East Coast scene and spoke warmly of his long-standing friendship with Exodus guitarist Gary Holt. Regarding Testament, he lauded the technical prowess of guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, noting, "I love when we get a chance to play with the band."
The conversation also touched upon the potential for a final reunion of the original 'Big Four.' Mustaine has previously advocated for a symbolic show at the LA Coliseum to "pass the torch" to a new generation, though he acknowledged that such a plan would require Slayer to emerge from their 2019 retirement. "I personally have been hoping for this for a while, and I keep asking and asking and asking," he revealed. "They’re just not into it. But that’s up to them."
While the original thrash movement remains a cornerstone of heavy metal history, other legends have explored similar concepts. Judas Priest’s Rob Halford has previously discussed a "Big Four" of the UK, featuring pioneers like Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Iron Maiden, though he noted that the passing of Lemmy Kilmister and the retirement of Black Sabbath make such a lineup difficult to realize.
Looking ahead, Mustaine remains optimistic about the future of the genre. Speaking to NME earlier this year, he expressed his belief that a thrash renaissance is on the horizon, fueled by the release of new material that he hopes will "smack people upside of their earholes" and reignite a passion for the sound.