In a brand new interview with Francisco Zamudio of KNAC.COM, DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Schmier was requested about the opportunity of extra exhibits that includes the union of Germany’s legendary “Teutonic Massive 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 everyone. I attempted to construct bridges between everyone. All people is aware of one another, however in between there’s additionally managers and labels and totally different advisors additionally.
“I used to be blissful that two years in the past, we performed in Mexico collectively, a giant pageant, all 4 of us,” he continued. “Then this final 12 months, we performed Germany and Romania additionally. It was wonderful. The German present was bought out in three days — 7,000 individuals. It was killer. However then not the whole lot was excellent in between the group and the entire thing, and a few individuals had been sad. And I believe SODOM would not wanna do it anymore. And we’ve got a present this 12 months — KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD, with out SODOM, in Germany. And it appears it isn’t occurring. Tom [SODOM‘s Thomas ‘Angelripper’ Such] did some interviews [where he spoke about it]. And I suppose you need 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 downside,” Schmier added. “So when you’ve 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 this can be a reward to do that. It is a life objective to tour this world wide. Individuals 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 isn’t cool. I believe sit down, give it some thought, recharge your batteries and let’s do that, however I am not the one making the choice. All people needs to be concerned. Hopefully the day will come once more at some point 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 at some point 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 era 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 ‘Massive 4’, ‘German Massive 4’, is an incredible one. So to only throw it away like this, I believe it isn’t 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 alleged to occur in America. There was already some affords for exhibits. After which SODOM type of backed out,” he defined.
“It might be nice for followers all world wide [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 a giant alternative to catch all of them collectively for as soon as. You possibly can carry your children. All of the generations can go collectively. It might be like going to a baseball recreation. It is one thing particular. However all of us want to take a seat on the desk, and if someone would not need, we can’t pressure him for the time being. 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” pageant at Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, additionally that includes performances by SODOM, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD. Sadly, because of a “extreme climate warning”, KREATOR was pressured to chop its present quick after 10 songs.
In a July 2023 interview with La Mesa Del Metallic, Angelripper spoke about the opportunity of there being extra exhibits that includes the “Teutonic Massive 4”. He stated on the time: “Effectively, we discuss years doing one thing with the ‘Massive 4’, and we performed… [In 2022] there was a Mexico Metallic Fest, [with] all of the 4 bands enjoying, and that was nice; individuals had a good time. And I can inform, we’re not capable of make touring world wide 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,’ possibly, we go. So you bought the Massive 4. So I all the time wanna do one thing particular like this… I believe KREATOR is a much bigger band than SODOM… However doing one thing particular for the followers and all of the 4 bands gonna play there — possibly simply each band gonna play one hour. We get 4 hours of most interesting thrash metallic music. That may be one thing actually particular for the followers. However it’s very straightforward to do. If you’re 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 buddies,” he defined. “We’re speaking about the whole lot. However they’re touring right now, DESTRUCTION‘s touring on the identical time. It’s totally exhausting. The enterprise could be very exhausting, as a result of all of the bands are very busy for touring and writing songs and rehearsing periods. And how briskly the 12 months is gone. However we’re engaged on it. Undoubtedly.”
Based on Angelripper, there was a stronger sense of competitors when all 4 bands had been simply beginning out within the Nineteen Eighties. “After we had been younger kiddies, a younger band, [we would think], ‘Oh, KREATOR, they received a greater guitarist.’ Or [they would think], ‘SODOM, they get the document deal first,’ that was one thing,” he stated. “However these days, we’re getting older; we’re getting clever. I by no means thoughts what the opposite bands do. I do not take care. I simply wanna handle my very own band.”
When “Klash Of The Ruhrpott” was first introduced in 2023, Mille Petrozza (KREATOR) commented: “I am so blissful we’ve got a possibility to current this bundle in one of the simplest ways attainable! It will be a extremely big day, 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 be capable of share the stage with my previous companions and buddies once more. A gathering with these 4 unbelievable bands can’t be surpassed when it comes to cult standing. Will probably be a really particular occasion for us and our followers. Till then, please keep wholesome and assured. See ya quickly… Cheers, Tom.”
Schmier acknowledged: “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 large 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 Massive 4”. He stated on the time: “I really like DESTRUCTION. Schmier is an effective good friend of mine. They’ve a unique model of music. DESTRUCTION is extra thrash metallic than SODOM; we’ve got extra black metallic or heavy metallic influences. I am so pleased with them. They did it. They created their very own model. They’ve the proper singer within the band. We all the time discuss in regards to the [German] ‘Massive 4’ and touring collectively, however it’s exhausting to do. I believe Mille will not be involved in doing it. We performed the Mexico Metallic Fest [in September 2022], the ‘Massive 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 resort. He would not need to spend any time with us. I do not know why. Perhaps he is residing on a unique 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 buddies, however I am good buddies with Schmier. However Mille…it is totally different. He is no more within the scene. I by no means see him once we go into any metallic bar right here in Essen. It is fully totally different. We’ll want to speak in regards to the ‘Massive Three’ touring. It would not must be a tour. All of the bands have a packed schedule touring, however we are able to do a giant present. This bundle is sweet for 3, 4 or 5 thousand individuals.”
