In a brand new interview with Francisco Zamudio of KNAC.COM, DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Schmier was requested about the potential of extra exhibits that includes the union of Germany’s legendary “Teutonic Large 4”, accomplished by KREATOR, SODOM and TANKARD. He stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I do not wanna say something unhealthy now as a result of I have been working for the final 10 years on this. I attempted to persuade all people. I attempted to construct bridges between all people. Everyone is aware of one another, however in between there’s additionally managers and labels and completely different advisors additionally.
“I used to be blissful that two years in the past, we performed in Mexico collectively, an enormous competition, all 4 of us,” he continued. “Then this final yr, we performed Germany and Romania additionally. It was wonderful. The German present was offered out in three days — 7,000 individuals. It was killer. However then not all the pieces was good in between the group and the entire thing, and a few individuals have been sad. And I feel SODOM would not wanna do it anymore. And we have now a present this yr — KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD, with out SODOM, in Germany. And it appears it is not taking place. Tom [SODOM‘s Thomas ‘Angelripper’ Such] did some interviews [where he spoke about it]. And I assume it’s important to discuss to him and discover out [how he feels about it].
“For me, I say there’s all the time an answer for each drawback,” Schmier added. “So when you’ve gotten an issue and you are not blissful and also you discuss it, you discover a resolution after which you are able to do it, as a result of it is a present to do that. It is a life aim to tour this all over the world. Folks wanna see it all over the place on the planet. And simply to throw away this concept simply due to some issues that [came up], it is not cool. I feel sit down, give it some thought, recharge your batteries and let’s do that, however I am not the one making the choice. Everyone must be concerned. Hopefully the day will come once more in the future that we discuss it, however we’re not getting youthful. That is my concern — we’re not getting youthful. Additionally, individuals, [as they] age, [they] get extra cussed, and that is not gonna assist. So I hope that issues will loosen up and in the future we are able to nonetheless do that so long as we’re nonetheless ready to do that, as a result of we’re gonna be the technology of thrash bands that retires in 10 years, 15 years — who is aware of how lengthy we are able to do that? So yearly counts, each album counts, each alternative is a cool one. And to have this chance to play with a ‘Large 4’, ‘German Large 4’, is a tremendous one. So to simply throw it away like this, I feel it is not cool, however I am not the one one in cost right here. So let’s hope the day will come that we are able to discuss once more.”
Schmier went on to say {that a} tour that includes KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, SODOM and TANKARD “was imagined to occur in America. There was already some gives for exhibits. After which SODOM sort of backed out,” he defined.
“It might be nice for followers all all over the world [to see those four bands playing together], and particularly additionally in America, as a result of these guys [SODOM and TANKARD] do not tour a lot within the States. And it might be an enormous alternative to catch all of them collectively for as soon as. You’ll be able to convey your children. All of the generations can go collectively. It might be like going to a baseball sport. It is one thing particular. However all of us want to sit down on the desk, and if any person would not need, we can not pressure him in the meanwhile. So let’s wait and see what occurs. Hope dies final, is my saying. So I am nonetheless hopeful.”
KREATOR headlined the July 20, 2024 “Klash Of The Ruhrpott” competition at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, additionally that includes performances by SODOM, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD. Sadly, on account of a “extreme climate warning”, KREATOR was pressured to chop its present brief after 10 songs.
In a July 2023 interview with La Mesa Del Metallic, Angelripper spoke about the potential of there being extra exhibits that includes the “Teutonic Large 4”. He stated on the time: “Properly, we discuss years doing one thing with the ‘Large 4’, and we performed… [In 2022] there was a Mexico Metallic Fest, [with] all of the 4 bands taking part in, and that was nice; individuals had a good time. And I can inform, we aren’t capable of make touring all over the world as a result of KREATOR, they’ve their very own initiatives, the touring, their recording periods, no matter. So, but when there’s a promoter [out there in] the world who [says], ‘I wanna ebook SODOM, I wanna ebook KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD,’ perhaps, we go. So you bought the Large 4. So I all the time wanna do one thing particular like this… I feel KREATOR is an even bigger band than SODOM… However doing one thing particular for the followers and all of the 4 bands gonna play there — perhaps simply each band gonna play one hour. We get 4 hours of most interesting thrash metallic music. That might be one thing actually particular for the followers. However it’s very simple to do. In case you are promoter and also you wanna have all of the 4 bands going there up on stage, we go.”
Such went on to say that there are not any private points between him and KREATOR. “We’re nonetheless mates,” he defined. “We’re speaking about all the pieces. However they’re touring presently, DESTRUCTION‘s touring on the identical time. It’s extremely onerous. The enterprise could be very onerous, as a result of all of the bands are very busy for touring and writing songs and rehearsing periods. And how briskly the yr is gone. However we’re engaged on it. Positively.”
In line with Angelripper, there was a stronger sense of competitors when all 4 bands have been simply beginning out within the Nineteen Eighties. “After we have been younger kiddies, a younger band, [we would think], ‘Oh, KREATOR, they acquired a greater guitarist.’ Or [they would think], ‘SODOM, they get the report deal first,’ that was one thing,” he stated. “However these days, we’re getting older; we’re getting smart. I by no means thoughts what the opposite bands do. I do not take care. I simply wanna maintain my very own band.”
When “Klash Of The Ruhrpott” was first introduced in 2023, Mille Petrozza (KREATOR) commented: “I am so blissful we have now a possibility to current this bundle in one of the simplest ways potential! It is going to be a extremely special occasion, full of affection and respect…and essentially the most intensive KREATOR set ever…put together for some DEEP CUTS!”
Such added: “I’m very blissful to lastly have the ability to share the stage with my previous companions and mates once more. A gathering with these 4 incredible bands can’t be surpassed when it comes to cult standing. It will likely be a really particular occasion for us and our followers. Till then, please keep wholesome and assured. See ya quickly… Cheers, Tom.”
Schmier said: “Oh YES — all of us have been ready for this to occur, I’m excited that it lastly labored out! Hopefully that is the start of some extra to come back! We’re tremendous thrilled to be part of this. Thanks for the invitation, Mille!”
Andreas “Gerre” Geremia (TANKARD) stated: “Good issues take time! Lastly the 4 massive will conflict and thrash collectively. We really feel very proud to be part of this historic occasion!”
Within the fall of 2022, Angelripper spoke to BLABBERMOUTH.NET about SODOM being a part of the “German Large 4”. He stated on the time: “I really like DESTRUCTION. Schmier is an efficient buddy of mine. They’ve a special type of music. DESTRUCTION is extra thrash metallic than SODOM; we have now extra black metallic or heavy metallic influences. I am so pleased with them. They did it. They created their very own type. They’ve the right singer within the band. We all the time discuss in regards to the [German] ‘Large 4’ and touring collectively, nevertheless it’s onerous to do. I feel Mille just isn’t focused on doing it. We performed the Mexico Metallic Fest [in September 2022], the ‘Large 4’, with HELLHAMMER and GRAVE DIGGER and I talked to Schmier, we had a beer with Gerre, however I did not see Mille. He got here on stage and went again to the lodge. He would not wish to spend any time with us. I do not know why. Possibly he is dwelling on a special planet. I do not assume this tour will ever occur.”
When he requested if he has all the time been pleasant with Mille, Angelripper stated: “We’re mates, however I am good mates with Schmier. However Mille…it is completely different. He is no more within the scene. I by no means see him after we go into any metallic bar right here in Essen. It is utterly completely different. We’ll want to speak in regards to the ‘Large Three’ touring. It would not need to be a tour. All of the bands have a packed schedule touring, however we are able to do an enormous present. This bundle is sweet for 3, 4 or 5 thousand individuals.”
