Metallica and The Big 4 Ignite Sofia: “Am I Evil?” Becomes a Historic Jam
In the sweltering night of June 22, 2010, nearly 50,000 metalheads crammed into Vasil Levski National Stadium for The Big 4 concert—Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax together for only the second time. As their collective legacy thundered across the arena, anticipation hit a fever pitch when Metallica invited all three peers onstage for a once-in-a-lifetime jam of Diamond Head’s “Am I Evil?”
Metallica’s rendition of “Am I Evil?” was no mere cover—it was a tribute. The song had first debuted as a B-side to their 1984 “Creeping Death” single and later landed on Garage Inc., quickly becoming a fan favorite. Here in Sofia, it returned as a battle cry, remixed with thrash energy that made the nearly eight-minute track feel brand new all over again.
When James Hetfield kicked off the intro riff, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave. Lars Ulrich’s drums were skin-splitting loud, while Kirk Hammett’s fluorescent solos sliced through the air. Beneath it all, Robert Trujillo anchored the groove, his bass lines thumping under the weight of every chord change. It was pure heavy metal electricity.
But the real magic came when Scott Ian (Anthrax), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), and Dave Lombardo (Slayer’s powerhouse drummer) filtered in. Together, they crammed the stage, head-banging in sync, trading riffs like seasoned brothers. Though Slayer’s Araya, King, and Hanneman opted out of most collective parts, the presence of three Big 4 members still elevated the jam into legendary territory.
The sound was explosive but never sloppy. Reviews praised how the live mix remained sharp even after four hours of relentless performances. Even from the control booth, the mix was balanced—volume with clarity—ensuring “Am I Evil?” remained the star moment rather than a chaotic mess.
This Sofia jam was more than a fun moment—it was a statement. As Lars explained later, choosing “Am I Evil?” honored their shared influence from Diamond Head. Plus, it was simple enough that all four bands could join in without rehearsed perfection, creating a spontaneous communion of thrash.
Revolver magazine’s coverage reinforced that vibe: this wasn’t a staged photo op. It felt organic—a celebration in the moment. Scott Ian confirmed the plan was hatched informally in a bar chat, then enacted onstage to massive applause.
The DVD and Blu-ray release of The Big Four: Live from Sofia carried that feeling worldwide. The sonic clarity, the stage camaraderie—it all translated to viewers, earning platinum sales and charting #1 in multiple countries. Critics pointed to “Am I Evil?” as the emotional high point.
In later years, fans often cite this Sofia clip as a symbol: when four titans unite, the moment becomes mythic. Reddit threads still discuss how rare it is to catch all Big 4 members trading licks, head-to-head on the same riff.
Though the jam didn’t include Slayer’s full lineup, the presence of Lombardo on drums connected all four founding bands in a final nod. It reminded fans that, at its core, thrash metal has always been a shared community, not just a style.
Post-Sofia, no other Big 4 show matched that intensity. Though Megadeth’s Mustaine expressed interest in more collaborations, changing dynamics—especially Slayer’s outdated internal rifts—prevented another full-field jam.
That extraordinary night became a touchstone. It isn’t just about nostalgia or fan service—the jam captured the chemistry that makes thrash metal endure. Each note feels earnest, a shared shout of defiance echoing across decades of headbanging.
To Metallica, it was a reminder they still perform with unfiltered enthusiasm. Even alongside legends, Hetfield and company held their ground, delivered impeccable tone, and maintained energy that believed in, and loved, the craft.
Sofia’s concert also fueled Diamond Head’s legacy. Seeing their song erupt in thousands filled with massive energy and reverence meant huge royalty spikes and attention, enabling them to continue touring. The tribute validated the ripple effect of great songs, even across subgenres.
Looking back, this camaraderie-fueled moment marks a rare glimpse of unity in metal’s fragmented scene. It’s a celebration with no egos—just musicians who share roots, respect, and an encore riff that finished them all on a transcendent note. Even years later, Sofia’s “Am I Evil?” jam remains a heavy-metal parable: Isn’t it evil to witness something so raw, so communal, so loud—and not feel alive?
