“Once in a lifetime,” a cliché phrase too often used to hype events proves a fitting description for what the scene will be at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA on Saturday, April 23rd when heavy metal’s The Big 4 Festival conquers the same stage for the first time ever in the United States. Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica made history together last year when the four legends did a seven date tour together in Europe. Demands for such a show in the United States emerged and now The Big 4 Festival look to leave American metal heads salivating.

Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, and Metallica, all bands who’ve enjoyed three decades in existence, revolutionized the heavy metal genre in different ways. Anthrax stood out for the fast tempo guitar riffs produced by lead guitarist Rob Caggiano, bassist Frank Bello, and rhythm guitarist Scott Ian. Anthrax furthered their fame in the early 1990s when they crossed into the hip hop genre and recorded a version of “Bring the Noise” with Public Enemy. Previous to the European Big Four Tour last year, Anthrax has spent time touring with fellow heavy metal royalty Megadeth.

Megadeth formed in 1983 after former Metallica lead guitarist and California’s own Dave Mustaine founded the group. Mustaine and Megadeth proved innovating for the band’s focus on instrumentals. Health issues for Mustaine led to Megadeth’s disbandment in 2002. Metal heads rejoiced though a few years later when the highly influential band reformed. With California being Mustaine’s home state, you get the feeling Megadeth’s performance at The Big 4 show will have an extra special vibe.

While Megadeth earned their legacy focusing on instrumentals, Slayer established themselves by finding fitting riffs and beats for their signature graphic lyrics. The lyrics on Slayer’s 1987 album Reign in Blood proved controversial enough to have CBS delay the album’s release. The censorship gave the band much publicity and Reign in Blood received high praise when it finally hit the market. In fact, many metal heads consider Slayer’s Reign in Blood the best heavy metal album of all time.

The group who poses the most significant challenge to the title best heavy metal album of all time is Metallica with Master of Puppets. Metallica has become the most prominent of The Big 4. Along their way to music superstardom Metallica found themselves amongst controversy, whether for changing their sound or taking a stand against Napster. However, when Metallica goes onstage nothing else matters. Everyone in the band, from vocalist James Hetfield to drummer Lars Ulrich knows how to engage the crowd to create a memorable show.

If you like heavy metal, you will want, no you will NEED, to find your way to the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 23rd. The four biggest names in heavy metal history will all play full length sets, combining for over seven hours of metal fun. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster or by calling (800) 745-3000. Make sure to get your tickets as no true metal head will be able to pass on this concert opportunity.