Therockradio.com is reporting:

METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo confirmed to Metromix that the band is tentatively planning a tour featuring themselves, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX - also known as the Big Four of the eighties thrash metal scene on which all four groups first made their names. When asked if he liked the idea, Trujillo said, "I think it's great. We've had a few different conversations on the subject. . . . There's a lot of history there. I think it'd be great for metal. I don't think all four bands have played together at the same time." Pressed as to whether the rumors of the tour were true, Trujillo answered, "There is, but nothing's concrete. It's not a sealed deal. We're working on it."

The bassist admitted there would be "a lot of egos" on the tour, adding, "I think we'd be OK. It'd be an issue with the other three bands."

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine has posted his thoughts on the subject in recent days, indicating that he's not sure if he could embark on such a tour. Mustaine played in Metallica in 1982 and early 1983, but was kicked out and replaced by Kirk Hammett -- for which he's bitter to this day.

Metallica kicked off its latest North American tour on Monday (September 14th) in Nashville, and next plays Thursday night (September 17th) in Indianapolis.

As for when Metallica will record the follow-up to last September's Death Magnetic, Trujillo said, "Actually there's gonna be about another year of touring, so that's a hard one to say. There are a lot of ideas floating around. We always have recording gear on tour with us so we're always recording our ideas, but obviously the songs have not been written."

Trujillo added that he thinks the next Metallica album will be in the same vein as Death Magnetic, but he told us earlier this year that he never knows what to expect when the band starts writing: "The whole thing is, when we're being creative, when Metallica's creative, the last thing you want to do is interfere with the flow that happens between Lars (Ulrich, drummer) and James (Hetfield, frontman), 'cause these guys bump heads and they get on a roll with things. And you really gotta let them do their thing, 'cause it is magic, and let them be productive when that's clicking."