Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax - collectively known as the Big 4 - emerged during the 1980s and dominated the rock and metal scene in the USA. Chiefly inspired by the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and European metal heavyweights such as Kreator, Sodom and Accept the Big 4 went on to define an incredible era of metal and develop a genre of music known as thrash metal of which they became the most successful and influential exponents. In 2010 the Big 4 took the metal community by storm by appearing together onstage for the first time during seven massively successful Sonisphere Festival concerts around Europe. The Big 4 remain universally popular both as a collective force and as individual bands. From the author of books on Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, Big 4 Encyclopedia is an A-Z guide book that celebrates the thrash metal music of these four legendary headbanging American bands. There are also previously unseen live photographs of the Big 4 as well as contributions from various respected artists and music journalists. A scrapbook of lists, articles and reviews, Big 4 Encyclopedia is essential reading for metal fans.