This day was pretty much everything you’d expect from a metal festival. Plenty of noise, lots of sweaty men smashing into one another, teenagers holding aloft the devil horns, and hair. Lots of hair. A day of clichés yes, but a day packed full of crunching riffs nonetheless, and everyone went home happy. Not only that, but it was a bit of a visual treat as well, as you can see for yourself below.


Joey Belladonna of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Rob Caggiano of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


The crowd at the Big Four music festival, Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Scott Ian of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Joey Belladonna of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Frank Bello of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Frank Bello and Scott Ian of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


The crowd at the Big Four music festival, Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Joey Belladonna of Anthrax performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Blowin' in the wind.


David Ellefson of Megadeth performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Hardcore ring of death brawlers.


Dave Mustaine of Megadeth performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Double neck electric guitar! Megadeth performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Chris Broderick of Megadeth performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Dave Mustaine of Megadeth performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


David Ellefson of Megadeth performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


The concert organizers were pretty clear who they DIDN'T want in the media tent.


Tom Araya of Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Kerry King of Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Gary Holt filling in for Jeff Hanneman with Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Crowd surfing happened all day long.


Kerry King of Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Gary Holt filling in for Jeff Hanneman with Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Tom Araya of Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Slayer performing at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


The fans go wild.


Robert Trujillo of Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


James Hetfield of Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Robert and James of Metallica square off.


James Hetfield of Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Kirk Hammett of Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Lars Ulrich showing those drums who's boss.


Robert Trujillo of Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


James Hetfield of Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


"Fade to Black" - Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


A view of the big screen - Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.


Metallica headlining at the Big 4 festival in Indio, CA. 23 April 2011.
