After years of waiting, the Big Four Of German Thrash are getting together for a show! Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, and Tankard are booked for the Klash Of The Ruhrpott festival on July 20, 2024 at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with tickets going on sale come August 2.
"I'm so happy we have an opportunity to present this package in the best way possible! It's going to be a really special day, full of love and respect…and the most extensive Kreator set ever…prepare for some DEEP CUTS!" said Kreator's Mille Petrozza.
"I am very happy to finally be able to share the stage with my old companions and friends again," said Thomas "Angelripper" Such of Sodom. "A meeting with these four fantastic bands cannot be surpassed in terms of cult status. It will be a very special event for us and our fans. Until then, please stay healthy and confident. See ya soon… Cheers, Tom."
"Oh YES — we all have been waiting for this to happen, I am excited that it finally worked out!" said Destruction's Schmier. "Hopefully this is the beginning of some more to come! We are super thrilled to be a part of this. Thanks for the invitation, Mille!"
"Good things take time! Finally the four big will clash and thrash together," said Tankard's Andreas "Gerre" Geremia. "We feel very proud to be a part of this historical event!"
Back in 2022, Angelripper discussed why he felt a German Big Four tour would never happen. And to be fair, he was right – but a festival was clearly in the cards.
"I love Destruction. Schmier is a good friend of mine. They have a different style of music. Destruction is more thrash metal than Sodom; we have more black metal or heavy metal influences. I'm so proud of them. They did it. They created their own style. They have the perfect singer in the band. We always talk about the 'Big Four' and touring together, but it's hard to do. I think Mille is not interested in doing it.
"We played the Mexico Metal Fest last month, the 'Big Four', with Hellhammer [performed by Tom G. Warrior's Triumph Of Death] and Grave Digger and I talked to Schmier, we had a beer with Gerre, but I didn't see Mille. He came on stage and went back to the hotel. He doesn't want to spend any time with us. I don't know why. Maybe he's living on a different planet. I don't think this tour will ever happen."
