Fans on Facebook have been calling for a “Big 6 of Bay Area Thrash Metal” tour/gig featuring EXODUS, TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL, LÄÄZ ROCKIT, FORBIDDEN and VIO-LENCE to represent and celebrate the music and legacy of the 80’s thrash metal scene, a pattern similar to that of the “Big Four” shows that METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX did together back in 2010-2011.
VIO-LENCE guitarist Ray Vegas, who goes by Vay Regas on Facebook, has said “never say never” to the idea of his band doing a so-called “Big 6 of Bay Area Thrash Metal” performance with their peers.
While there’s no specific timeline of when the “Big 6 of Bay Area Thrash Metal” will perform together, TESTAMENT, EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL are going to embark on “The Bay Strikes Back” tour in Europe early next year, followed by a possible North American leg. This trek will see TESTAMENT and EXODUS tour in support of their upcoming albums for a 2020 release while DEATH ANGEL will continue promoting “Humanicide“, which came out last May.
VIO-LENCE – who have broken up and reunited twice in the past – have been performing a series of shows since they ended their hiatus last January, following guitarist Phil Demmel‘s departure from MACHINE HEAD. More VIO-LENCE reunion shows are expected to take place next year.
FORBIDDEN have been mostly inactive since 2012 when they parted ways with vocalist Russ Anderson and bassist Matt Camacho, while LÄÄZ ROCKIT last performed live in December 2011 when they opened for METALLICA on the third concert of their 30th anniversary party at The Fillmore in San Francisco.
