The Big Four: A Photo Essay

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.

marv watson: Marv is a freelance photographer and photo editor, from the north of England. Graduating from Teeside University with a Masters in Sport Science, he travelled the world for a number of years before settling in Los Angeles, where he now resides. He shoots portraits, sports and music. He loves his wife, daughter, rabbits, beer and pizza, and detests hipsters, instagram celebrities and popular music.
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