Clash of the Titans (tour)
Tour by Megadeth, Slayer, Testament, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, Alice in Chains | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() A promotional poster for a European show | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Associated album | Rust in Peace Seasons in the Abyss Souls of Black Lights...Camera...Revolution! Persistence of Time Facelift | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Start date | September 22, 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End date | July 14, 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legs | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. of shows | 18 in Europe 49 in North America 1 cancellation 67 in total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Clash of the Titans was a concert tour co-headlined by American thrash metal bands Megadeth and Slayer, which took place in September and October 1990 and again from May to July 1991. Launched in support of their respective albums Rust in Peace and Seasons in the Abyss, the tour had two legs, first in Europe (supported by Testament and Suicidal Tendencies) and second in the United States (tri-headlined by Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax and supported by Alice in Chains). Clash of the Titans is considered one of the most successful tours in heavy metal history, and bridged the gap between the popularity of thrash metal and rise of the alternative rock and grunge scene.[1][2]
History[]
The tour began in the fall of 1990 with a three-week European leg featuring Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Suicidal Tendencies, promoting their then-current albums Rust in Peace, Seasons in the Abyss, Souls of Black and Lights...Camera...Revolution! respectively.
A second leg in 1991 in the United States and Canada had a slightly different lineup: Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax headlined, and Alice in Chains supported; while Megadeth and Slayer were still promoting their respective albums Rust in Peace and Seasons in the Abyss, Anthrax was supporting their fifth studio album Persistence of Time and Alice in Chains was touring behind their debut album Facelift.
Alice in Chains was not originally on the bill for the U.S. tour. According to the documentary Get Thrashed, Death Angel was to be the supporting act – however, after a near-fatal tour bus crash, they were forced to bow out.[1] Sepultura was also mooted for the tour, but, according to then-frontman Max Cavalera, "got kicked out", and instead embarked on the New Titans on the Block tour with Sacred Reich, Napalm Death and Sick of It All.[3][4] Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian stated in an interview with Guitar World that they wanted Pantera as the opening act of the Clash of the Titans tour.[1] Other bands, such as Exodus, Vio-lence, Kreator and Obituary, also reportedly declined to take part in the tour as the opening act.
About the tour, Ian recalled, "We didn't start making any money until 1991, on the Clash of the Titans tour in the States – not even a dime. I got home from that tour to receive a cheque for a sizeable amount and called my accountant, saying, 'There must be a mistake.' We were of Iron Maiden's style of mindset, where we had to have these huge stage sets, and everything went straight back into the band."[5]
Interesting to note is that Metallica was the only "big four" of thrash metal act that did not take part in the Clash of the Titans tour. Slayer guitarist Kerry King told Guitar World that, "There might have even been talk of a 'Big Four' tour back then, but we probably couldn't get Metallica onboard. But we had three pieces of it, and that was all the management and promoters needed."[1] The members of Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax have indicated that one of the reasons Metallica was not part of the Clash of the Titans tour was due to their ascension to popularity, specifically with their self-titled "black album", which was not released until five weeks after the tour's conclusion. King has been quoted as saying, "I knew Metallica wouldn't be a part of it 'cause they didn't need us."[6][7]
Spin-offs[]
On November 16, 2009, it was announced that the European Clash of the Titans lineup would be reunited after nineteen years on the American Carnage Tour, featuring Slayer, Megadeth and Testament. On July 13, 2010, a second leg of the American Carnage Tour was announced that would feature the American Clash of the Titans lineup: Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Neither Suicidal Tendencies nor Alice in Chains were featured in either lineup.
Possible revival[]
On December 9, 2017, Ultimate-Guitar.com reported that a rebooted Clash of the Titans tour featuring Megadeth, Slayer, Testament and Sepultura was in the works, and scheduled to take place in 2018 or 2019 in support of new albums from these four bands.[8][9] More speculation about a tour similar to Clash of the Titans was renewed in January 2018, when Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine mentioned a potential tour featuring Exodus and three of the "big four" (Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax);[10] a month later, Mustaine tweeted another potential tour similar to Clash of the Titans, titled "The New Big 4", featuring Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus and Testament.[11]
When Slayer announced their farewell tour in January 2018, it was suggested that the recently-rumored Clash of the Titans tour (also featuring Megadeth, Sepultura and Testament) would take place as part of the aforementioned tour.[12][13][14][15] Although Mustaine cryptically denied that this tour was in the works,[16] he stated in a June 2018 interview with Rock Talk With Mitch Lafon that, "I hope that Megadeth and Slayer get to go one more round somewhere. I think it would be great, especially if it was a 'Big Four' show, but that's entirely up to them. And if it doesn't happen, we've had our share of Slayer and Megadeth shows, and I'll always appreciate those times together."[17] Testament frontman Chuck Billy also commented on the tour rumors, referring to Slayer's farewell tour, "I doubt it, this is Slayer's last tour so this is it. There will be no more Slayer tours."[18]
When asked in August 2018 by CBS San Francisco about the possibility of a revival of the Clash of the Titans tour with Slayer and Megadeth, Anthrax bassist Frank Bello stated, "I wouldn't say it's under wraps because I don't know about it. But I would absolutely love for the Big 4 thing to happen again. That would be the right thing to do for everybody. I would love that. I mean, as far as Slayer goes, I'm sure they're going to do more shows next year, but I don't know if we'll be on them, because we do have our album to write. It's all about scheduling and agents and all that. But we'd be open to any of that, specifically the Big 4. I think all four bands that were involved with the Big 4 would love to do it again. But that's totally up to Metallica."[19]
In August 2019, the website Metal Addicts reported that a 30th anniversary edition of the Clash of the Titans tour was rumored to be taking place in 2020 and would feature a different lineup, with Megadeth and Testament likely to be included, but added that Slayer was not expected to be on the bill due to their farewell tour, which ended in November 2019.[20] When asked a month later by The Metal Voice what the odds were for the revival of the Clash of the Titans tour and their European tour with Testament and Exodus—The Bay Strikes Back, Death Angel frontman Mark Osegueda commented: "The revival of the Clash of the Titans one, that's of course out of our hand. I've seen, some rumors floating around everywhere of course, we've not been approached so I could not tell you that, you know, I've heard anything. We've not been approached as a band as far as the Bay Strikes Back to tour that's happening in February–March in Europe."[21]
Tour dates[]
Date | City | Country | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
Europe | |||
September 22, 1990 | Genk | Belgium | Limburghal |
September 23, 1990 | Bern | Switzerland | Festhalle |
September 24, 1990 | Florence | Italy | Firenze Palasport |
September 25, 1990 | Milan | Palatrussardi | |
September 27, 1990 | Barcelona | Spain | Velòdrom d'Horta |
September 28, 1990 | San Sebastián | Velodromo de Anoeta | |
September 30, 1990 | Leiden | Netherlands | Groenoordhallen |
October 2, 1990 | Paris | France | Le Zénith |
October 3, 1990 | Stuttgart | Germany | Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle |
October 4, 1990 | Mainz | Rheingoldhalle | |
October 5, 1990 | Munich | Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle | |
October 6, 1990 | Düsseldorf | Philips Halle | |
October 7, 1990 | Bremen | Stadthalle Bremen | |
October 9, 1990 | Stockholm | Sweden | Solnahallen |
October 10, 1990 | Copenhagen | Denmark | K.B. Hallen |
October 12, 1990 | Edinburgh | United Kingdom | Exhibition and Trade Centre |
October 13, 1990 | Birmingham | National Exhibition Centre | |
October 14, 1990 | London | Wembley Stadium | |
North America[22] | |||
May 16, 1991 | Dallas | United States | Starplex Amphitheatre |
May 17, 1991 | Lubbock | Lubbock Municipal Coliseum | |
May 18, 1991 | San Antonio | Sunken Gardens Amphitheater | |
May 19, 1991 | Houston | The Summit | |
May 21, 1991 | El Paso | El Paso County Coliseum | |
May 22, 1991 | Albuquerque | Tingley Coliseum | |
May 23, 1991 | Phoenix | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | |
May 24, 1991 | San Diego | San Diego Sports Arena | |
May 25, 1991 | Costa Mesa | Pacific Amphitheatre | |
May 26, 1991 | Daly City | Cow Palace | |
May 27, 1991 | Sacramento | ARCO Arena | |
May 29, 1991 | Portland | Memorial Coliseum | |
May 30, 1991 | Seattle | Mercer Arena | |
May 31, 1991 | Spokane | Spokane Coliseum | |
June 1, 1991 | Vancouver | Canada | Pacific Coliseum |
June 3, 1991 | Salt Lake City | United States | Bonneville Raceway |
June 5, 1991 | Morrison | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | |
June 6, 1991 | Omaha | Omaha Civic Auditorium | |
June 7, 1991 | Bonner Springs | Sandstone Amphitheater | |
June 8, 1991 | Cedar Rapids | Five Seasons Center | |
June 9, 1991 | Forest Lake | Trout Aire Amphitheatre | |
June 11, 1991 | Springfield | Prairie Capital Convention Center | |
June 12, 1991 | Louisville | Louisville Gardens | |
June 14, 1991 | Tinley Park | First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre | |
June 15, 1991 | East Troy | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | |
June 16, 1991 | Columbus | Battelle Hall | |
June 18, 1991 | Noblesville | Deer Creek Music Center | |
June 20, 1991 | Richfield | Richfield Coliseum | |
June 21, 1991 | Toronto | Canada | Exhibition Stadium |
June 22, 1991 | Clarkston | United States | Pine Knob Music Theatre |
June 23, 1991 | Mears | Val du Lakes Amphitheatre | |
June 25, 1991 | Burgettstown | Star Lake Amphitheatre | |
June 26, 1991 | Corfu | Darien Lake | |
June 27, 1991 | Middletown | Orange County Fair Speedway | |
June 28, 1991 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | |
June 29, 1991 | Philadelphia | Wachovia Spectrum[23] | |
June 30, 1991 | Baltimore | 1st Mariner Arena | |
July 1, 1991 | Hampton | Hampton Coliseum | |
July 3, 1991 | Hershey | Hersheypark Stadium | |
July 4, 1991 | Weedsport | Cayuga County Speedway | |
July 5, 1991 | Portland | Cumberland County Civic Center[24] | |
July 6, 1991 | Mansfield | Great Woods | |
July 7, 1991 | Bristol | Lake Compounce | |
July 9, 1991 | Fayetteville | Cumberland County Crown Coliseum | |
July 10, 1991 | Greenville | Greenville Memorial Auditorium | |
July 11, 1991 | Charleston | King Street Palace | |
July 12, 1991 | Atlanta | Omni Coliseum | |
July 13, 1991 | Lakeland | Lakeland Civic Center | |
July 14, 1991 | Miami | Miami Arena |
Cancellations[]
Date | City | Country | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
June 17, 1991 | Cincinnati | United States | Riverbend Music Center |
Setlist[]
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|
|
|
- Anthrax Setlist[29]
- "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)"
- "Got the Time" (Joe Jackson cover)
- "Caught in a Mosh"
- "Keep It in the Family"
- "Indians"
- "Antisocial" (Trust cover)
Encore:
- "I'm the Man"
- "Won't Get Fooled Again" / "I Am the Law"
Personnel[]
Megadeth
Slayer
Testament
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Suicidal Tendencies
Anthrax
Alice in Chains
|
References and notes[]
Footnotes[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Clash of the Titans Tour: Iron Giants". Guitar World. April 13, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ Gilmore, Mikal (1991-07-11). "Heavy Metal Thunder: Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
- ^ "From 'Schizophrenia' to 'Psychosis:' The Evolution of Max Cavalera". joelgausten.com. November 12, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ "Max Cavalera: Why Sepultura Were Booted Out from the 1991 'Clash of the Titans Tour'". Ultimate-Guitar.com. April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ Ling, Dave (March 2017). "Live! Anthrax". Classic Rock #233. p. 104.
- ^ "Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax: The Oral History of the Big 4". Revolver. December 1, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
- ^ "Megadeth's David Ellefson: How I Became One of the 1st Metal Bassists to Use 5-String Bass". Ultimate-Guitar.com. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ "Rumor: Slayer, Megadeth, Sepultura and Testament to Embark on New Version of the 'Clash of the Titans' Tour". Ultimate-Guitar.com. December 9, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "Is the Revamped 'Clash of the Titans' Tour (Megadeth, Slayer, Sepultura and Testament) Actually Happening? Facebook Page Weighs In". Ultimate-Guitar.com. December 28, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ "MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Would Love To Play 'Big Four' Show Where All Bands 'Got Treated Fairly'". Blabbermouth.net. January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
- ^ "MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Reveals New 'Big Four'; METALLICA And SLAYER Are Out". metaladdicts.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- ^ "Slayer geben Auflösung bekannt, finale Tournee angekündigt". metal.de. January 31, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ "Report: The New 'Clash of the Titans Tour' (Megadeth, Slayer, Sepultura, Testament) Could Be the Last of Slayer". Ultimate-Guitar.com. March 12, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Slayer have announced their farewell UK arena tour". tickx.co.uk. May 13, 2018. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ "The New 'Clash of the Titans' Tour (Megadeth, Slayer, Sepultura, Testament) Might Be a Reality After All". Ultimate-Guitar.com. May 16, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "Dave Mustaine: There's No Truth to Rumors That Megadeth Will Embark on a New Version of the 'Clash Of The Titans' Tour with Slayer, Sepultura and Testament". Ultimate-Guitar.com. May 21, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "DAVE MUSTAINE: I Never Said That LARS ULRICH Was Standing In The Way Of More 'Big Four' Shows". Blabbermouth.net. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "Testament Interview – MHF". Metalheads Forever Magazine. July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ "CBS SF Talks To Anthrax Bassist Frank Bello". CBS San Francisco. August 22, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
- ^ "REPORT: Revival Of 'Clash Of The Titans' Tour In The Works". metaladdicts.com. August 26, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ^ "Could Revival Of 'Clash Of The Titans' Tour Happen? DEATH ANGEL Frontman Weighs In". metaladdicts.com. September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
- ^ "Alice in Chains Concert Chronology 1991 ((c) 2005, Dionysian Home Page)".
- ^ Review of show at Philadelphia Archived 2008-12-11 at the Wayback Machine Note that review, in 7/3 newspaper, mentions show taking place "last Saturday night", which should be the 29th of June – a date already on this list. More research needed for this venue and the Buffalo one
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-10-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Megadeth Average Setlists of tour: Clash of the Titans 1990 | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
- ^ "Megadeth Average Setlists of tour: Clash of the Titans 1991 | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
- ^ "Slayer Average Setlists of tour: Clash Of The Titans 1990 | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
- ^ "Slayer Average Setlists of tour: Clash of the Titans 1991 | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
- ^ "Anthrax Average Setlists of tour: Clash of the Titans | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm.
Notations[]
- 1990 concert tours
- 1991 concert tours
- Anthrax (American band) concert tours
- Heavy metal concerts
- Heavy metal festivals
- Megadeth concert tours
- Slayer concert tours
- Testament (band) concert tours
- Co-headlining concert tours
- Rock festivals in the United States