In a brand new interview with Francisco Zamudio of KNAC.COM, DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Schmier was requested about the potential for 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 dangerous 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. All people 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 12 months, we performed Germany and Romania additionally. It was superb. 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 have been sad. And I feel SODOM would not wanna do it anymore. And we now have a present this 12 months — KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD, with out SODOM, in Germany. And it appears it isn’t taking place. Tom [SODOM‘s Thomas ‘Angelripper’ Such] did some interviews [where he spoke about it]. And I assume it’s a must to speak to him and discover out [how he feels about it].
“For me, I say there’s at all times an answer for each drawback,” Schmier added. “So when you’ve got an issue and you are not blissful and also you speak about it, you discover a resolution after which you are able to do it, as a result of it is a reward to do that. It is a life objective to tour this all over the world. Individuals wanna see it in every single place on the planet. And simply to throw away this concept simply due to some issues that [came up], it isn’t 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. All people needs to be concerned. Hopefully the day will come once more in the future that we speak about 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 in a position 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 ‘Massive 4’, ‘German Massive 4’, is a tremendous one. So to simply throw it away like this, I feel 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 speak once more.”
Schmier went on to say {that a} tour that includes KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, SODOM and TANKARD “was speculated to occur in America. There was already some presents 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 could be an enormous alternative to catch all of them collectively for as soon as. You possibly can convey your youngsters. 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 take a seat on the desk, and if any individual would not need, we can’t pressure him in the mean time. 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, as a result 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 potential for there being extra exhibits that includes the “Teutonic Massive 4”. He stated on the time: “Effectively, we speak about 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 taking part in, and that was nice; individuals had a good time. And I can inform, we’re not in a position to make touring all over the world as a result of KREATOR, they’ve their very own tasks, the touring, their recording classes, no matter. So, but when there’s a promoter [out there in] the world who [says], ‘I wanna e book SODOM, I wanna e book KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and TANKARD,’ possibly, we go. So you bought the Massive 4. So I at all times 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 — possibly simply each band gonna play one hour. We get 4 hours of most interesting thrash steel music. That might be one thing actually particular for the followers. Nevertheless 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 pals,” he defined. “We’re speaking about the whole lot. However they’re touring at the moment, DESTRUCTION‘s touring on the identical time. It is very 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 classes. And how briskly the 12 months is gone. However we’re engaged on it. Positively.”
Based on Angelripper, there was a stronger sense of competitors when all 4 bands have been simply beginning out within the Eighties. “Once we have been younger kiddies, a younger band, [we would think], ‘Oh, KREATOR, they bought 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 now have a possibility to current this bundle in the easiest way attainable! It should be a extremely big day, full of affection and respect…and probably the most intensive KREATOR set ever…put together for some DEEP CUTS!”
Such added: “I’m very blissful to lastly be capable to share the stage with my outdated companions and pals once more. A gathering with these 4 unbelievable 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 Massive 4”. He stated on the time: “I like DESTRUCTION. Schmier is an effective pal of mine. They’ve a unique fashion of music. DESTRUCTION is extra thrash steel than SODOM; we now have extra black steel or heavy steel influences. I am so happy with them. They did it. They created their very own fashion. They’ve the proper singer within the band. We at all times speak concerning the [German] ‘Massive 4’ and touring collectively, however it’s exhausting to do. I feel Mille shouldn’t be keen on 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 lodge. He would not wish to spend any time with us. I do not know why. Possibly he is dwelling on a unique planet. I do not suppose this tour will ever occur.”
When he requested if he has at all times been pleasant with Mille, Angelripper stated: “We’re pals, however I am good pals with Schmier. However Mille…it is completely different. He is no more within the scene. I by no means see him once we go into any steel bar right here in Essen. It is utterly completely different. We’ll want to speak concerning the ‘Massive Three’ touring. It would not should 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.”