Clash of the Titans
Tour by Megadeth, Slayer, Testament, Suicidal Tendencies, Anthrax, Alice in Chains
A promotional poster for a European show
Location
  • Europe
  • North America
Associated albumRust in Peace
Seasons in the Abyss
Souls of Black
Lights...Camera...Revolution!
Persistence of Time
Facelift
Start dateSeptember 22, 1990
End dateJuly 14, 1991
Legs2
No. of shows18 in Europe
49 in North America
1 cancellation
67 in total
Megadeth tour chronology
So Far, So Good... So What! Tour
(1987–1988)		 Clash of the Titans
(1990–1991)		 Rust in Peace/Oxidation of the Nations Tour
(1990–1991)
Slayer tour chronology
World Sacrifice Tour
(1988–1989)		 Clash of the Titans
(1990–1991)		 Touring The Abyss
(1990–1991)
Testament tour chronology
Practice What You Preach Tour
(1989–1990)		 Clash of the Titans
(1990)		 Souls of Black Tour
(1990–1991)
Suicidal Tendencies tour chronology
Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu Tour
(1989)		 Clash of the Titans
(1990)		 Lights...Camera...Revolution! Tour
(1990–1991)
Anthrax tour chronology
State of Euphoria Tour
(1988–1989)		 Clash of the Titans
(1991)		 Persistence of Time Tour
(1990–1991)
Alice in Chains tour chronology
Facelift Tour
(1990–1991)		 Clash of the Titans
(1991)		 SAP Tour
(1992)

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 North America (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 North America 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 North American 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

The Clash of the Titans tour has spawned at least two spin-off tours. Three-fifths of the European lineup (Megadeth, Slayer and Testament) were reunited on the American Carnage Tour that took place from July to early September 2010.[8][9] This was followed shortly by a second leg of the tour that featured three-fourths of the North American lineup of the Clash of the Titans tour: Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.[10]

A similarly titled tour Klash of the Titans took place during the spring of 2023, with Kreator as one of the co-headliners to both of them. The first leg took place in Latin America and featured Kreator and Testament,[11] followed shortly by a North American leg that was co-headlined by Kreator and Sepultura and included support from Death Angel and Spiritworld.[12]

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.[13][14] 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);[15] 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.[16]

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.[17][18][19][20] Although Mustaine cryptically denied that this tour was in the works,[21] 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."[22] 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."[23]

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."[24]

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.[25] 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."[26]

Tour dates

Date City Country Venue
Europe
September 22, 1990GenkBelgiumLimburghal
September 23, 1990BernSwitzerlandFesthalle
September 24, 1990FlorenceItalyFirenze Palasport
September 25, 1990MilanPalatrussardi
September 27, 1990BarcelonaSpainVelòdrom d'Horta
September 28, 1990San SebastiánVelodromo de Anoeta
September 30, 1990LeidenNetherlandsGroenoordhallen
October 2, 1990ParisFranceLe Zénith
October 3, 1990StuttgartGermanyHanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
October 4, 1990MainzRheingoldhalle
October 5, 1990MunichRudi-Sedlmayer-Halle
October 6, 1990DüsseldorfPhilips Halle
October 7, 1990BremenStadthalle Bremen
October 9, 1990StockholmSwedenSolnahallen
October 10, 1990CopenhagenDenmarkK.B. Hallen
October 12, 1990EdinburghUnited KingdomExhibition and Trade Centre
October 13, 1990BirminghamNational Exhibition Centre
October 14, 1990LondonWembley Arena
North America[27]
May 16, 1991DallasUnited StatesStarplex Amphitheatre
May 17, 1991LubbockLubbock Municipal Coliseum
May 18, 1991San AntonioSunken Gardens Amphitheater
May 19, 1991HoustonThe Summit
May 21, 1991El PasoEl Paso County Coliseum
May 22, 1991AlbuquerqueTingley Coliseum
May 23, 1991PhoenixArizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
May 24, 1991San DiegoSan Diego Sports Arena
May 25, 1991Costa MesaPacific Amphitheatre
May 26, 1991Daly CityCow Palace
May 27, 1991SacramentoARCO Arena
May 29, 1991PortlandMemorial Coliseum
May 30, 1991SeattleMercer Arena
May 31, 1991SpokaneSpokane Coliseum
June 1, 1991VancouverCanadaPacific Coliseum
June 3, 1991Salt Lake CityUnited StatesBonneville Raceway
June 5, 1991MorrisonRed Rocks Amphitheatre
June 6, 1991OmahaOmaha Civic Auditorium
June 7, 1991Bonner SpringsSandstone Amphitheater
June 8, 1991Cedar RapidsFive Seasons Center
June 9, 1991Forest LakeTrout Aire Amphitheatre
June 11, 1991SpringfieldPrairie Capital Convention Center
June 12, 1991LouisvilleLouisville Gardens
June 14, 1991Tinley ParkFirst Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
June 15, 1991East TroyAlpine Valley Music Theatre
June 16, 1991ColumbusBattelle Hall
June 18, 1991NoblesvilleDeer Creek Music Center
June 20, 1991RichfieldRichfield Coliseum
June 21, 1991TorontoCanadaExhibition Stadium
June 22, 1991ClarkstonUnited StatesPine Knob Music Theatre
June 23, 1991MearsVal du Lakes Amphitheatre
June 25, 1991BurgettstownStar Lake Amphitheatre
June 26, 1991CorfuDarien Lake
June 27, 1991MiddletownOrange County Fair Speedway
June 28, 1991New York CityMadison Square Garden
June 29, 1991PhiladelphiaWachovia Spectrum[28]
June 30, 1991Baltimore1st Mariner Arena
July 1, 1991HamptonHampton Coliseum
July 3, 1991HersheyHersheypark Stadium
July 4, 1991WeedsportCayuga County Speedway
July 5, 1991PortlandCumberland County Civic Center[29]
July 6, 1991MansfieldGreat Woods
July 7, 1991BristolLake Compounce
July 9, 1991FayettevilleCumberland County Crown Coliseum
July 10, 1991GreenvilleGreenville Memorial Auditorium
July 11, 1991CharlestonKing Street Palace
July 12, 1991AtlantaOmni Coliseum
July 13, 1991LakelandLakeland Civic Center
July 14, 1991MiamiMiami Arena

Cancellations

Date City Country Venue
June 17, 1991CincinnatiUnited StatesRiverbend Music Center

Setlist

Anthrax Setlist
  1. "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)"
  2. "Got the Time" (Joe Jackson cover)
  3. "Caught in a Mosh"
  4. "Keep It in the Family"
  5. "Indians"
  6. "Antisocial" (Trust cover)

Encore:

  1. "I'm the Man"
  2. "Won't Get Fooled Again" / "I Am the Law"

Personnel

References and notes

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Clash of the Titans Tour: Iron Giants". Guitar World. April 13, 2010. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  2. ↑ Gilmore, Mikal (1991-07-11). "Heavy Metal Thunder: Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  3. ↑ "From 'Schizophrenia' to 'Psychosis:' The Evolution of Max Cavalera". joelgausten.com. November 12, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ Ling, Dave (March 2017). "Live! Anthrax". Classic Rock #233. p. 104.
  6. ↑ "Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax: The Oral History of the Big 4". Revolver. December 1, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Slayer, Megadeth and Testament's American Carnage Tour Dates Rescheduled, East Coast Dates Confirmed". Metal Underground.
  9. ↑ "American Carnage Rescheduled Tour Dates Announced". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 2011-04-20. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  10. ↑ "Slayer Tour with Megadeth and Anthrax Announced! | The Official Slayer Site". Slayer.net. Archived from the original on 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2023-06-12.
  11. ↑ "KREATOR And TESTAMENT Join Forces For Klash Of The Titans Latin American Tour". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. October 19, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  12. ↑ "KREATOR And SEPULTURA Announce Spring 2023 North American Tour With DEATH ANGEL". Blabbermouth.net. January 16, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Reveals New 'Big Four'; METALLICA And SLAYER Are Out". metaladdicts.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Slayer geben Auflösung bekannt, finale Tournee angekündigt". metal.de. January 31, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "Testament Interview – MHF". Metalheads Forever Magazine. July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  24. ↑ "CBS SF Talks To Anthrax Bassist Frank Bello". CBS San Francisco. August 22, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  25. ↑ "REPORT: Revival Of 'Clash Of The Titans' Tour In The Works". metaladdicts.com. August 26, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Could Revival Of 'Clash Of The Titans' Tour Happen? DEATH ANGEL Frontman Weighs In". metaladdicts.com. September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Alice in Chains Concert Chronology 1991 ((c) 2005, Dionysian Home Page)".
  28. ↑ 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
  29. ↑ "1991: Cumberland County Civic Center | Portland, Maine". Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-10-09.

Notations

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