picture via Metallica.com
While we were celebrating America’s birthday this past weekend, The Big 4 were kicking off their European tour. And fans both in Germany and Sweden were treated to the now traditional “Big 4 jam.”
The tour kicked off in Gelsenkirchen, Germany this past Saturday (July 2). Just like during their Bulgaria and California shows, Metallica were joined by members of Megadeth and Anthrax onstage. This time around, though, the three bands performed Diamond Head’s “Helpless.” None of the members of Slayer were able to join in on the jam due to previously made travel arrangements.
The following night (July 3), Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax followed similar suit in Gothenburg, Sweden. Unlike the night before, though, the bands went back to performing “Am I Evil?” However, the song choice was apparently the main reason why Kerry King didn’t take part in the jam once again. When explaining to Sweden’s Aftonbladet newspaper why he was absent from Sweden’s jam, King said the following:
“I was supposed to be there, but they changed the song at the very last minute. We were gonna play the Anti-Nowhere League’s ‘So What’, so I had rehearsed that song. When they changed it to ‘Am I Evil?’, I decided not to do it. I haven’t thought about that song for two months since we played it in California.”
Anthrax’s Scott Ian had said that they were going to do something different for the Big 4’s Yankee Stadium show in September, while James Hetfield said from the stage during Metallica’s set in Germany that “We’re trying to mix it up a little bit, do some different songs.” Taking a look at the songs they chose (or were going to play) instead of “Am I Evil?” it looks like the two are staying true to their word.
While King and the rest of Slayer were absent from the Germany and Swedish jams, Sepultura’s Andreas Kisser (who is playing with Anthrax during the European leg while Scott Ian spends time with his new born son) joined in on both nights. You can watch video clips from both nights’ jams after the jump.
Here’s the Big 4 performing “Helpless” in Germany:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgG9rrnWZ_Q[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ATtxCqd7I[/youtube]
Here’s the Big 4 performing “Am I Evil?” in Gothenburg (note: this concert was streamed live online):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahs-INtU5o8[/youtube]
