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TESTAMENT
1987 - The Legacy.
1988 - The New Order.
1989 - Practice What You Preach.
1990 - Souls Of Black.
1994 - Low.
1997 - Demonic.
1999 - The Gathering.
more TESTAMENT.
way more Helter Skelter.

April 21, 1987 - 2022: 35 years of: The Legacy.

Welcome to The Bay.

The Second Wave Of US Thrash-Metal. The Bay-Area: Ground Zero for scene-leaders EXODUS and arena-fillers METALLICA. The glorious Class of '87 includes the technical HEATHEN, a very young DEATH ANGEL and the eventual gigantic TESTAMENT.

This LEGACY of demonic low tones, that used to include the to-be EXODUS frontmen Steve Zetro Souza, shall make a metal-ritual, a gathering of brotherhood of the snakes ...the ultimate souls of black. From the fertile bedrock of thrashmetal, arises TESTAMENT.

You won't get away from the four-wall Alcatraz rock-solid opener of "Over The Wall". World, welcome on lead-guitar, the new prodigy with the soft hands: Alex Skolnick. The moshing continues with "The Haunting" and the fast and fat "Curse Of The Legions Of Death". The dark finale of "Apocalyptic City" is another riff-raff explosion of dictated aggression of the highest level.

The record also includes the to-be crowd favorites, the devastating "Raging Waters" and the immortal sacrifices of "Burnt Offerings". TESTAMENT are the new-school of thrashmetal.

The Live At Eindhoven EP displays brute energy, from this hungry metal-machine, on tour for the first time, getting a taste of the land of heavymetal: Germany. The Californian West-Coast, origins of hard-music's most celebrated antipodes: glamrock and thrashmetal. The next summoning shall arise from above, in the form of 1988's The New Order LP.

*
Over The Wall = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Hr6S_uzCw
The Legacy = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ecg459tS2Y&list=OLAK5uy_k6R2EJfnLfaQK5E6RCQocfvgR35AR3Djk
Live At Eindhoven = full EP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DhY-XV8sJU
Live at the Club Dynamo in 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsPnTbExv0Q

May 5, 1988 - 2023: 35 years of: The New Order.

Round Two !

One of thrashmetal's strongest follow-up LP. 1988: the Bay-Area takeover is at full swing, a pivotal year for thrashmetal. Smoking murder in the front-row hot releases by DEATH ANGEL, VIO-LENCE, FORBIDDEN ...and TESTAMENT did not disappoint.

Up here in Space, they're looking down on you, the mood is set to evil as "Eerie Inhabitants" blasts out of orbit. At high pace, the vicious attack peels us dry. The riff-o-rama bites again on the massive title-track "The New Order" were a new level of brutality is unlocked.

The speed is real as the RPMs are rolling up the I5 ...worship "The Preacher" "Into The Pit". The fuller production and creations are wiser, as displayed on the MTV-cut "Trial By Fire", from melodic-intro to eloquent raging thrash: "This is the price you have to pay - Won't get away !"

Not only fast, punchy and aggressive, but the LP also features not only one but two, well crafted instrumental-interludes that displays their intrigue towards a more progressive approach and superior musical craftsmanship. For cool-factor, they included an AEROSMITH cover in "Nobody's Fault" as an added bonus.

From San Jose to San Francisco, the Bay was now fully engulfed in Thrash Metal's Second Wave. This genre was the crude-metal the underground had brewed to perfection ...all hoping for the big stages, firmly opened by METALLICA.

Fostering from the Old to New Testament, this thrash legacy would reach peak-point on 1989's pristine smart metal assault Practice What You Preach LP.

*
Trial By Fire = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwDgbIjjNwU
Nobody's Fault = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uzZc0UUEsU
The New Order = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acQkfTlmvoY&list=OLAK5uy_kdp4WJrYL5vMsAZqz4DiX2608D7_zN4Ho
MTV interview in 1988
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl98fUD5mm0
Live in Germany in 1988
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP_CrmuWbkw

August 4, 1989 - 2024: 35 years of: Practice What You Preach.

A new order.

Putting the arms-race aside, 1989 is the pristine year for fine-tuned thrashmetal. The glorious Class Of '89 includes CORONER, OVER KILL and both Canadian progressive forces: DEAD BRAIN CELLS and VOĪVOD. Cleaner production and subtle melodies, with this third LP, the eerie inhabitants of TESTAMENT were now in the hot-zone.

Power and might, with a groove. The title-track for "Practice What You Preach" sets the tone for a mandatory 46min headbanger. Slick riffs and slicker leads, the attack continues with the political touch of "Perilous Nation" and the environmental touch of "Greenhouse Effect". Smart thrashmetal is here.

Controlled speed and refined rage explodes on "Blessed In Contempt" and the pit-provider of "Nightmare (Coming Back To You)". Still swamping in raging waters, the metal-mosh is fully fed with "Envy Life" and the now fan-favorite "Sins Of Omission".

A day of reckoning, as TESTAMENT were always heading for higher grounds. Out of the box, a full blown powerballad is displayed with the simply titled "The Ballad". An MTV-single, albeit the commercial-appeal of the current Sunset Strip bands. A proud thrash-unit, providing classical-guitars and melancholic-melodies on this unusual 6:08sec burnt offering. Marginalizing themselves from the other Bay-Area violence, the band would later repeat their unorthodox harmonious adventures.

Top tracks, topped by Alex Perialas's top production, this is one of thrash's top-shelf totems. In 1989-90, TESTAMENT were set to become leaders of the other half of the Big Four, along neighborhood buddies EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL.

Tagging along the Euro-edition of the thrash-fiesta on wheels Clash Of The Titans, as well as securing an opening-act slot for 1990's Autumn JUDAS PRIEST painkilling US-Tour, the band would then present the darker Souls Of Black CD.

*
Practice What You Preach = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQfgET6TxDY
The Ballad = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ9-xPIuGs0
Greenhouse Effect = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1isL2MgGYhM
Practice What You Preach = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXYnzhVuJUI&list=OLAK5uy_nolW3YgbOFBahI5ze3eBFJM1xiGemtXIc
In the studio interview in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-xpGClCTvg
MTV interview in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GM0O2Kd-3Y
Live in Philadelphia in 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w4IkU1h4Dw
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A1p5UKMdhM

October 9, 1990 - 2020: 30 years of: Souls Of Black.

After the Big Four, comes the Other Big Four.

Commercially way behind METALLICA, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX and SLAYER, the collective union of LEGACY, their previous moniker, have been practicing what they preach since the new order. From the Old to the New, this is the thrashmetal TESTAMENT.

Record #4, the pressure was on, but the San Francisco quintet were locked and loaded. Hypothetically, the following Big Four could've been: TESTAMENT, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, DEATH ANGEL and the New-York hate-pushers OVER KILL. Many matured records under their collective belts, fan approved and ready for action, they were thrashmetal's next big thing ...but some black-album changed all of that.

A quiet classical-guitar intro opens up and the freightrain that is "Face In The Sky" hits were it hurts. Louder and meaner, this time they take no prisoners. Thrashmetal riff abound on "Falling Fast" where monster Chuck Billy even tries the almost deathmetal grunts. Menacing and foreshadowing of deadly things to come.

In this new era of intelligent-thrash, more political cynicism is infused within on the swingin' track "Souls Of Black", the massive mastodon "Seven Days Of May" and the social inequities of "Malpractice".

And now the obligatory powerballad. No not hardrock love-songs from The Strip, but once again, a powerful roller-coaster of melodramatic powermetal. Alex Skolnick shines on the lead-guitar and leaves no untouched-frets behind. Thrashmetal powerballad, a TESTAMENT signature-move now firmly part of their "Legacy"

On tour with the Metal Gods of JUDAS PRIEST for their brilliant Painkiller album and later with the European-edition of the Clash Of The Titans along SLAYER, MEGADETH and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, the Bay-Area boys were in good company, and on the last step before metal-stardom. Yet in late-1991, the rock-landscape and music-industry had other ideas, take the I-5 North, look up, way up, way up pass Tacoma.

A living proof that our society is filled with souls of black.

*
Souls Of Black = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YT8XX-640w
The Legacy = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2XT6_P3Zfk
Souls Of Black = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFmPArvG1ec&list=PLBnJv6rImVe9I94pJS5j40eTKE8Jh1kvz
Interview in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKP3QuNAh0A
Live in Toronto in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fp4_2S0riM
Clash Of The Titans show in Stockholm in 1990
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11ULJKYytuY
Seen Between The Lines DVD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTSmSkVDPMs
Some kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fdxQ1Y_nF

October 4, 1994 - 2024: 30 years of: Low.

A brutal legacy.

Following Alex Skolnick's departure, most of us though it was the end for the San Franciscan souls of black. Yet outta the raging waters, the apocalyptic return was set in stone. Toying in the deathmetal field with their new found sound, vibe and lead-player in Mr. Deathmetal himself James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, CANCER and DISINCARNATE) ...TESTAMENT were back for another ritual.

1994-95 were not stellar years for thrashmetal. The hate and aggression was now mostly powerchords for some. Yet still a handful of bands did had grit and took a stand: GZR, MACHINE HEAD and KREATOR to name a few.

"Fuel the fire for war, it's man against mankind !"

The titletrack opens-up and sweeps the floor with a monolithic start-stop riff. Downtuned and down to business, "Low" is the metal-Godzilla of the 90s. The onslaught continues on "Legions (In Hiding)" and thrashmetal's "Hail Mary" were we get some of Murphy's goods.

The wall-breaking "Shades Of War" and "All I Could Bleed" are massive mosh-monsters. The explosive "Dog Faced Gods" and "Ride" incorporates hints of MESHUGGAH while the instrumental "Urotsukidôji" displays clever bass-lines and prog tempo changes. Never did the Billy + Peterson creative duo got so lethal: dangerous thrash with a deathmetal feel and production.

Their first full-length concert, 1995 Live At The Fillmore companion-CD, features cuts from the holy book of thrash: the Old and New Testament. Extra mojo for the three acoustic bonus-tracks of their fan-favorite powerballads, because yes these thrash-titans were also a genuine powerballad generator.

Low is an impressive unexpected 1994 release, on a major-label. While some members of the Big Four were now dwelling in arenarock-metal, TESTAMENT was at the pole-position for the left unattended coveted spot.

Low highlights a rebirth in the band's career ...a high point in TESTAMENT's new order. This new deathrash trajectory shall further be cemented with 1997's deadly Demonic CD.

*
Low = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMlVTNehlWc
Low = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWDy3t9llSY&list=OLAK5uy_nvKgwsYGgKntcqAZKwA1WcQhsPrg5X4CM
Interview in L.A. in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAGXoFpVlDc
Live in Argentina in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESwH6vGjg1c
Unplugged in Chicago in 1995
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAbnR3ULUVU
Live At The Fillmore = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_X0gxlxc3U&list=OLAK5uy_kZtgLWjVtEgE5OVTx6rqIg8msnTK9QjW0
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxpgiSs-4-A

June 9, 1997 - 2022: 25 years of: Demonic.

How low, how low can they, goooooooooooo !!!

During the dreaded mid 90s, after the fall of deathmetal and thrashmetal seemed from another century, where to go for old-schooled Americanized extreme ? After the 1994 mega-heavy Low CD, the aggression now caps to eleven. If there's one thrashmetal band from the Bay-Area that did became heavier in those tormented times and embraced the deathmetal-signature ...it is the power and might of TESTAMENT !

10-9-8-7-6-6-6: we launch into Armageddon, as "Demonic Refusal" destroys everything above sea-level. Screamer Chuck Billy is the alternative to actual low-grunt deathmetal vocals, the might and power is here, he does practices what he preaches.

Mosh-monster "Jun-Jun", "Distorted Lives" and the fast cut "Murky Waters" are modern piledrivers that provides more horse-power than the actual Big Four combined. "Hatred's Rise" and "Together As One" keeps on chewing the scene alive, into a lifeless pulp. None shall defy.

Thrashmetal, done the deathmetal way. Massive modern high-gain guitar tones and the magic of drum-God Gene Holgan. TESTAMENT saved thrashmetal in the later-part of the 90s ...along OVER KILL and the trio of VOIVOD, these bands re-invented themselves, to new heights of aggressiveness to fulfill the thrashmetal-drought.

The new order of TESTAMENT shall ascend again with another all-star lineup, including: Murphy, DiGiorgio and some Lombardo guy, on 1999's The Gathering CD

*
Demonic = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lkNd5tKJ-o&list=OLAK5uy_mIKglnkgAh3H9nxp_6QPra-_eI5U9zuJc
Live in Houston in 1997
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQlhBq4HnSU

June 8, 1999 - 2024: 25 years of: The Gathering.

A summit of souls of black.

Late 90s thrashmetal was a lukewarm strip of failures, thankfully TESTAMENT did practice what they preached. Following the downtuned 1997 Demonic CD, we would be blessed by a new order of the highest stature, Ladies and Gentlemen:

The giant as awaken, either you want it or not. Back from beyond, the band's casket reads: "D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)". Modern muscle thrash cracks skulls in half, as they go from low to "Down For Life". Mammoth-metal stomps in awe with "Careful What You Wish For" and the equally sick "3 Days In Darkness".

Morbid melodies of "True Believers" are matched by both speedmetals "Fall Of Sipledome" and the cursed "Legions Of The Dead" ...a fuckin' AK-47 spree.

What started on 1994's Low and subsequent Demonic CD, TESTAMENT's neo thrash / almost deathmetal hybrid is crowned by cutting-edge Earth-shaking production, courtesy of Andy Sneap. Don't call it a revival, but yet a union of raw power of metal's strongest assets ...a true reign of terror !

The Bay-Area might not be fully re-energized yet, as this event would later spring in 2004, but the seed is planted for some serious riffing and serious circle-pitting.

In 2001, TESTAMENT would lay low while Billy would battle cancer, leaving room for Peterson to launch his blackmetal project: DRAGONLORD. The band would later reunite the classic line-up in the new thrash-hungry millennium and propose 2008's The Formation Of Damnation CD.

D !
N !
R !

*
The Gathering = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0h8sS7Jks0&list=OLAK5uy_kApCSfpsrgY_S3ZtkHyWOcdEUKErKE8YI
Interview in 1999
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCl3U875D8c
Live in San Francisco in 1999
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ameCOVdveFM

more TESTAMENT:

Bay-Area 87-88