MEGADETH Mainman: We're Going To Have Some 'Big' Shows Coming Up

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has revealed via his Twitter account that "a huge announcement is coming for next summer in the States and in Europe and the U.K." He added in a separate posting, "Just went through a couple weeks of hell arranging something special for summer. Stay tuned! We're going to have some Big shows coming up."

A tour of the U.S. and other parts of Europe featuring the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — is very possible for next year.

The new DVD and Blu-ray titled "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria", filmed last June at a concert starring METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard "Top Music Videos" sales chart last month month with sales of 22,000 copies. The set also debuted at No. 1 in Canada, the U.K. and Austria, while entering at No. 4 in Germany.

"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" set features full shows from all four bands along with behind-the-scenes and interview footage.

Mustaine revealed during an online chat last month with members of the band's official fan club, Cyber Army (formerly MegaFanClub),that MEGADETH has "five songs almost finished" for its next studio album. Mustaine is currently going over the new material at the band's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with engineer Ken Eisennagel, who previously worked with MEGADETH during the pre-production phase for 2009's "Endgame" and 2007's "United Abominations" CDs.

Mustaine said in a recent interview that MEGADETH's new album is shaping up to be "more like 'Endgame', maybe sticking in that vein and going a little forward toward what I like."

Speaking to Australia's FasterLouder, Mustaine said he preferred "Endgame"'s more aggressive moments. "We were forced, in a way, to have to do certain things and it's really easy for me to blame somebody, but at the end of the day it was my fault, I could have said no, but I didn't," he said. "I was nervous that we were going to end up getting kicked off the label. I figured I would rather go underground and play what I like, and not sell as many records, but still be able to look myself in the face in the morning."

"Endgame" sold 45,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart.

MEGADETH's previous CD, "United Abominations", opened with around 54,000 copies in the U.S. to debut at No. 8. This was more than the 46,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "The System Has Failed" (which landed at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart),and was a bit less than the 61,000 opening number of 2001's "The World Needs A Hero" (No. 16).

"Endgame" was recorded at Vic's Garage, which was named after the legendary and iconic Vic Rattlehead character. The CD was helmed by Mustaine and British producer Andy Sneap (EXODUS, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD).