In a new interview with Slowhands Rock Talk Show, original SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo discussed his relationships with fellow "Big Four" thrash metal acts METALLICA, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX during their rise to fame in the 1980s.

Lombardo confirmed that he and the other bands were aware of each other's music and had a strong sense of camaraderie.

Lombardo recalled listening to his peers' work and absorbing their musical styles.

"Oh, yeah.

Absolutely.

We would listen to it.

We would listen and absorb, hear what they did," Lombardo explained.

He added that the bands didn't feel the need to compete with each other due to their individual success.

In October 2023, Lombardo told Metal Hammer magazine which of the bands in the "Big Four" was best.

He responded without hesitation: "SLAYER.

Ha ha ha! Who else could I pick?! We were brutal man, we were on top of our game, and if you watch the videos we were on fire." Lombardo denied that there was any rivalry between the four bands.

Lombardo has since moved on to work with various other projects including crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, horror-punk icons MISFITS, hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS and MR.

BUNGLE.

He was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers.

Lombardo was later replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001.