The Wee 4 make their return to The Brickyard

The first time and only time I saw the original Big 4 together was at Sonisphere UK in 8th June 2011. I remember watching each band with absolute delight seeing each of my favourite bands come on one after another. When they all came out on stage together for Am I Evil I completely lost my mind.

Fast forward 14 years and the Wee 4 are coming back to Carlisle. This was a date that has been in my diary since it was announced last year. Having seen this show a couple of years ago I knew I was not going to be disappointed.

Playing in the same formation as the original Big 4, Arranthrax were up first. Formed in 2018 in Glasgow, Arranthrax, Europe's only Anthrax tribute band hit the stage ripping into 'Among the Living'. Covering both Turbin and Belladonna eras there is a wide range to their set list full of bonafide classics as 'Madhouse', 'Caught in a Mosh', 'I am the Law' and a personal favourite 'Got the Time'. The vocalist has a commanding present on stage, stomping around with swagger, having all of the fun, grinning like a school boy pushing his luck. Musically this band is nailing it, true the Anthrax sound with tight guitar work and thunderous drums topped off with vocals hitting and holding the high notes with ease. Even throwing in a little bit of banter with the crowd during Indian's with 'You dancing, You asking, I'm asking, If your asking then I'm dancing' just before it drops into the 'War dance' part. Yes Arranthrax, I am dancing!

After a quick turn around Megadeth UK, the only UK tribute to Megadeth fly into their set. Despite some early sound issues that could throw some lesser bands off their game, these lads take it in their stride. Each set is full of fan favourites and this one is no different. Picking a setlist out of such a large back catalogue is no easy feet but each song goes down better than the last. The crowd is starting to get wild now, breaking out the first mosh pit of the evening with a huge sing-along to 'Peace Sells'. Finishing on a massive trifactor of 'Tornado of Souls', 'Peace Sells' & 'Holy Wars', these guys put on an absolute clinic of tight guitar work and overall musicianship, even nailing Mustain's signature style of vocals.

It isn't surprising that there are no other Megadeth tribute acts in this country as Megadeth UK set the bar so high for other acts to follow.

If there is one band that can top what Megadeth UK have just done to the Brickyard it will of course be a Slayer tribute act. Slayer fans have a reputation for being a wild and loyal fanbase and you get a feeling that the atmosphere has changed as the Slayer shouts start to ring out during the into to 'Hell Awaits'. One of the longer running bands tonight, the Newcastle lads, Live Undead have been assaulting the ears since 1999. Ripping through classic Slayer from the first five albums, you know what you are getting from this band, the two guitarists dressed in classic Oakland Raiders jerseys both handling the lead and rhythm duties like King and Hanneman. This has got to be the loudest crowd of the night not letting up throughout the set. As the set comes to a close with the two classic Slayer song 'Raining Blood' & 'Angel of Death' the crowd are rabid. Even though Slayer have come out of retirement you will be hard pressed to find a better Slayer show in this country.

Finishing out the night in true Big 4 style, Metal Militia take to the stage brining their take to one of the biggest metal bands ever, Metallica. Keeping their set list in tow with the other bands this evening, the lads from the North East keep it classic, with 'Enter Sandman' being the only song not to come from the 'Classic thrash Metallica' era (Kill Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, And Justice For All). Although the crowd has seemed to thin out a little by now, the one that remained are the loudest of the lot with a big sing-along to 'Master of Puppets'. The loudest and heaviest moment of the night came in the form of 'The Things That Should Not Be', I was nearly floored when that erupted out of the speakers.

True to form this was another brilliant night of Thrash Metal with each band showing why they are the best at what they do. Hopefully we will not have to wait another two years for them to come back to The Brickyard.