Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax appeared on stage together in England.
Thousands of revellers braved the high winds at Knebworth House yesterday (Friday July 8) to pitch their tents for three days of heavy metal.

The 'Big 4' of heavy metal joined forces at the Sonisphere festival in Knebworth, Southern England, to play a cover of Diamond Head's 'Am I Evil' - the first time members of all four groups had performed in England together.

The day had started earlier with Anthrax playing a set, followed by Megadeth which includes ex-Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine before Slayer took to the stage.

Visitors were not disappointed with the evening’s offerings. Friday heralded the arrival of The Big Four with Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica taking to the stage.

“Do you want it heavy?” barked James Hetfield as Metallica ended the evening with spectacular set of songs from across their 30-year career.

‘The Metallica Family’ were in fine voice singing along to classics such as Enter Sandman, Hit the Lights and Seek and Destroy.

The group played a set spanning their 30-year career, including thrash classics 'War Ensemble', 'Dead Skin Mask' and 'Raining Blood'.


Stand in guitarist Gary Holt of Exodus replaced Jeff Hanneman, who is recovering from a rare flesh eating disease sustained after being bitten by a spider.

Metallica then took to the stage to close the night, opening with 'Hit The Lights', the opening track from their 1983 debut album 'Kill 'em All'.

Their set leaned heavily on material from their early albums, with the band playing only two tracks รข€“ 'All Nightmare Long' and 'The Memory Remains' from their last four studio albums.

The band's 18 song performance included five of the eight tracks from their second album, 1984's 'Ride the Lightning', including "For Whom the Bell Tolls' and instrumental 'The Call of Ktulu'.

After closing the main set with their biggest hit, 'Enter Sandman', frontman James Hetfield invited members of the other groups to play 'Am I Evil'.


He said: "Celebrating 30 years of Metallica, we invite Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth and hopefully someone from Diamond Head to put the cherry on top."

And just when fans thought it couldn’t get any better the band were joined on stage by members of The Big Four for a powerful – and loud – performance.


The set was packed with pyrotechnics that warmed up the crowds and pushed fan’s energy to another level. Fireworks also shot into the sky lighting up the crowds.

The event, as last year's was, has been well organised and there are plenty of staff on hand as well as visible police presence in both the arena and the campsite to reassure festival-goers.


Headlining the Apollo – main stage - tonight will be Biffy Clyro who has promised to tailor their performance especially for the festival crowd.