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.
