Metallica, Megadeth and Co. Plot One-Night-Only Live Simulcast

This summer's Sonisphere festival will present one of the greatest lineups in head-banging history: "The Big Four" of thrash metal — Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax — will all be sharing the same bill for seven dates of the traveling fest. Unfortunately, the shows are all scheduled in Europe, but for fans who can't make the trek across the Atlantic, fest organizers announced today that the Sofia, Bulgaria stop will be beamed via satellite into more than 450 movie theaters around the world.

"Who would have thought that more than 25 years after its inception, thrash metal's Big Four would not only still be around, be more popular than ever, playing shows together at stadiums all over Europe, and on top of that, coming to a movie theatre near you in High Definition," Metallica's Lars Ulrich said in a statement. "Bring it on!"

The event, which will only hit theaters for one night only, will showcase four hours of music and also go behind the scenes of the fest. Check out The Big Four's official site for a list of theaters that will project this epically loud presentation and watch the trailer below:

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

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